Home / Guides / Plant Files / Cactaceae

Opuntia, Prickly Pear Cactus 'Compact Form'

Opuntiafragilis

Upload Image Print Article
Upload Image Print Article
Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Info
Genus
Opuntia (op-UN-shee-a)
Info
Species
fragilis (FRAJ-ih-liss)
Info
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage

Unknown - Tell us

Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)
15-18 in. (38-45 cm)
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
Danger
Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color
Pale Yellow
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Perennials
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color

Unknown - Tell us

Where to Grow
Can be grown as an annual
Bloom Characteristics

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Size

Unknown - Tell us

Other details

Unknown - Tell us

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information

Unknown - Tell us

Propagation Methods
From woody stem cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Unblemished fruit must be significantly overripe before harvesting seed; clean and dry seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional
View this plant in a garden
One member has or wants this plant for trade

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

Post Comment
0
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Post Comment
Sort By:
X
X
Xenomorf
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | April 2011 | neutral

A very small, compact and diminuitive form of Opuntia fragilis with tiny 1/2" pads that carry dense golden spines. Pale yellow to yellow ...Read More

Popular Plants
SEE ALL
Iris
Peppers
Hydrangeas
Hostas
Contribute to Dave’s Garden
Add a New Plant to the List
Featured
BUG FILES
(Gnorimus nobilis)
BIRD FILES
American Golden Plover
(Pluvialis dominica)
Quick Links
View All Families
View All Genera
View All Species
Freeze/Frost Dates
PlantFiles FAQ
Plants with no Photos
Contribute to Dave’s Garden
Add a New Plant to the List
Featured
BUG FILES
(Gnorimus nobilis)
BIRD FILES
American Golden Plover
(Pluvialis dominica)