Opuntia ficus-indica
Bushy, tree-like cactus native to Mexico with flat, spiny pads, bowl-shaped yellow or orange flowers in spring, and colorful edible fruits, widely cultivated worldwide for food, forage, and erosion control.
Common Names
Prickly Pear, Indian Fig, Barbary Fig, Cactus Pear, Prickly Pear Cactus, Indian Fig Cactus, Spineless Cactus, Mission Cactus, Tuna Cactus, Nopal, Indian Fig Opuntia
Summary
Indian fig cactus is native to Mexico and grows as a large arborescent cactus, a perennial shrub or small tree up to 3–6 m tall, with thick flat cladodes and edible pads and tunas; bright yellow to orange-yellow flowers and drought tolerance contribute to its distinctive ornamental and culinary appeal.
Prefers full sun and well-drained soils; drought-tolerant once established; propagated by stem cuttings or seeds; water sparingly after planting; commonly used in xeriscapes and desert landscapes for fruit and pads, hedges, erosion control, soil restoration, fodder, and as a host for cochineal insects; flowers are pollinator-friendly; harvest by hand; caution due to spines; invasive in some regions.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
12-16 ft
Spread
4-10 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 8-11
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun, tolerates partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained soil; sandy or loamy texture; pH 6.0–7.5.
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Soil pH
6.0–7.5
Bloom Color
Yellow
Bloom Time
Spring to Summer
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Green
Leaf Lifecycle
Other
Growth Rate
Very fast
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Tissue culture
Attracts Wildlife
Bees, Other pollinators, Birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (L.) Mill.
- Publication
- Gard. Dict.: Opuntia No. 2. 1768.
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Caryophyllales
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Genus
- Opuntia
Synonyms
Opuntia maxima Opuntia mexicana Opuntia leucostata Opuntia lanceolata Opuntia fusicaulis Opuntia glauca Opuntia ficus-barbarica Opuntia labouretiana Opuntia umbrella Opuntia tuna-blanca Opuntia tribuloides Opuntia alfagayucca Opuntia amyclaea Opuntia ficus-indica f. amyclaea Platyopuntia cordobensis Platyopuntia ficus-indica Cactus compressus Cactus decumanus Cactus elongatus Cactus lanceolatus Opuntia ficus-indica var. amyclaea Opuntia apurimacensis Opuntia ficus-indica var. decumana Opuntia cordobensis Platyopuntia apurimacensis Cactus maximus Opuntia paraguayensis Opuntia caespitosa Opuntia crassa Opuntia ficus-indica var. gymnocarpa Cactus opuntia var. ficus-indica Cactus opuntia var. latifolius Opuntia crassa var. major Opuntia elongata var. laevior Opuntia ficus-indica f. decumana Opuntia ficus-indica f. gymnocarpa Opuntia ficus-indica f. reticulata Opuntia ficus-indica var. elongata Opuntia ficus-indica var. saboten Opuntia leiascheinvariana Opuntia megacantha var. tenuispina Opuntia opuntia Opuntia obovata Opuntia parvula Opuntia glaberrima Opuntia elongata Opuntia undosa Opuntia arkansana Opuntia decumana Cactus ficus Cactus ficus-indica Cactus opuntia Opuntia compressa Opuntia gymnocarpa