Opuntia

Bold Form  –  Native Grit  –  Timeless Presence

Few plants shape a space like Opuntia. Sculptural pads, vibrant seasonal blooms, and unwavering toughness, bring structure and unmistakable Texas character to Austin landscapes.

Upright and architectural or low and sprawling, Opuntias are both statement pieces and problem-solvers — thriving in heat, poor soil, and full sun where other plants fail.

Driveways to pollinator gardens, dry creek beds to courtyard borders, prickly pears add rhythm, mood, and Texas authenticity. Their seasonal interest spans yellow or magenta spring flowers, colorful summer fruit, and cool-season shifts in pad color — all while asking next to nothing in return.

Great Varieties for Austin Landscapes!

• Spineless: Clean silhouette with smooth green pads and no spines, although small glochids are still present. Spring showy yellow flowers attract pollinators and produce red fruit. Excellent for family-friendly gardens, modern designs, and edible landscapes.
Mature Size: 3-4ft H, 4-6ft W

• Santa Rita: Cool-season purple pads. Bright yellow spring blooms attract pollinators and produce reddish-purple fruit. Dramatic accent against stone, steel, or desert-style plantings. Mature Size: 3-5ftH, 4-8ft W

• Old Mexico: Classic Central Texas native with broad pads, pale blooms, and strong wildlife value. Spring showy yellow flowers attract pollinators, often followed by edible red fruit. Ideal for naturalistic or large-scale spaces. Mature Size: 4-6ft H, 6-10ft W

• Cholla Cactus: Upright, jointed stems with dynamic structure. Spring vivid magenta to purple flowers, attract pollinators and are followed by yellow, ornamental fruit. Extremely cold Hardy. Use with care; extremely spiny but visually stunning.
Mature Size: 3-10ft H, 3-10ft W, depending on species

• Bunny Ear Cactus: Dense clusters of Pads growing in small, rounded pairs that resemble bunny ears. Small yellow summer blooms attract pollinators and are followed by red or purplish fruit. Best in raised beds or protected xeriscapes.

Mature Size: 2-3ft H, 2-3ft W

Landscape Guidance

Sunlight: Full sun only
Water: Very low once established; avoid irrigation zones
Soil: Sharp drainage required — plant in gravelly, sandy, or rocky soils
Maintenance: Prune Opuntia and Cholla in late winter or as needed to remove broken, rotting, or crowded pads and branches, maintaining airflow and shape. Always wear thick gloves and use tongs or pruners, as even spineless types may have irritating glochids.

Design Pairings: Excellent with agaves, sotols, muhly grasses, and flowering natives like Salvia greggii, Damianita, or Blackfoot Daisy

Prickly but refined. Wild yet modern. Find your Opuntia at Leaf Landscape Supply!