Opuntia Species, Smooth Prickly Pear, Tulip Prickly Pear, Spineless Prickly Pear

Opuntialaevis

Family
Cactaceae (kak-TAY-see-ee)
Genus
Opuntia (op-UN-shee-a)
Species
laevis (LEE-viss)
Synonym
Opuntia phaeacantha var. laevis
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness
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
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Edible Fruits and Nuts
Vegetables
Cactus and Succulents
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
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
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From woody stem cuttings
From softwood cuttings
Allow cut surface to callous over before planting
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

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Livermore, California

Fruitland Park, Florida

Key Largo, Florida

Baltimore, Maryland

Austin, Texas

Copperas Cove, Texas

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Gardener's Notes:

1
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
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S
Copperas Cove, TX | April 2012 | positive

Purchased a pad from lithops.net has yet to bloom but has grown quite nicely . in winter it turns burgundy and shrivels a little but but...Read More

X
Phoenix, AZ (Zone 9b) | November 2004 | neutral

Found only in Arizona & southwestern New Mexico on rocky slopes. Has nearly no spines but does have tiny yellow glochids.

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Common Barea Moth
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(Eopsaltria georgiana)
Featured
Common Barea Moth
(Barea codrella)
White-breasted Robin
(Eopsaltria georgiana)