Santa-Rita Tubac™ Prickly Pear

Opuntia violacea var. santa-rita

Pronunciation: op-UN-shee-a vy-oh-LAH-see-uh
SKU #02546
8-11

Good to Grow...indoors:

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Large, beautiful yellow flowers rest on the outer edges of spine-covered, fleshy succulent pads. In winter the pads turn to a rich purple color and return to a soft blue-gray with warmer weather. An excellent choice for year-round beauty in arid xeric landscapes or containers. Evergreen.
LIGHT: Full sun
WATER: Let soil dry completely between waterings.
SIZE: Slow to moderate growing; forms clumps 4 ft. tall, 6 ft. wide.

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This Plant's Growing Zones: ALL

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Grow Indoors in All Zones

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Bloom TimeLate spring to early summer
Deciduous/EvergreenEvergreen
Special FeaturesDramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Waterwise, Non-toxic to Cats and Dogs
Problems/SolutionsDeer Resistant, Erosion Control, Rabbit Resistant, Tolerates Urban Pollution
Growth RateSlow
Growth HabitColumnar
Flower AttributesShowy Flowers
Landscape UseBarrier, Container, Houseplant
Flower ColorYellow
Foliage ColorGreen
Companion PlantsAgave (Agave); Hens & Chicks (Echeveria); Sedum (Sedum); Red Yucca (Hesperaloe); Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe)
Care InstructionsGrows easily in average to lean, rocky, unimproved, fast-draining soils with low moisture. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish root system, allowing soil to become fairly dry between intervals. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates drought. Avoid excess winter moisture. Fertilize sparingly in spring.
LorePrickly pear cactus has been a staple of the Mexican and Central American diet for thousands of years. In parts of the U.S. it has been gaining popularity as an exotic, gourmet and healthy addition to one's diet. The prickly pear plant has three different edible sections: the pad of the cactus (nopal), which can be treated like a vegetable, the petals of the flowers, which can be added to salads, and the pear (tuna), which can be treated like a fruit.
Details
Bloom TimeLate spring to early summer
Deciduous/EvergreenEvergreen
Special FeaturesDramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Waterwise, Non-toxic to Cats and Dogs
Problems/SolutionsDeer Resistant, Erosion Control, Rabbit Resistant, Tolerates Urban Pollution
Growth RateSlow
Growth HabitColumnar
Flower AttributesShowy Flowers
Style
Landscape UseBarrier, Container, Houseplant
Flower ColorYellow
Foliage ColorGreen
Companion PlantsAgave (Agave); Hens & Chicks (Echeveria); Sedum (Sedum); Red Yucca (Hesperaloe); Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe)
Care
Care InstructionsGrows easily in average to lean, rocky, unimproved, fast-draining soils with low moisture. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish root system, allowing soil to become fairly dry between intervals. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates drought. Avoid excess winter moisture. Fertilize sparingly in spring.
History
LorePrickly pear cactus has been a staple of the Mexican and Central American diet for thousands of years. In parts of the U.S. it has been gaining popularity as an exotic, gourmet and healthy addition to one's diet. The prickly pear plant has three different edible sections: the pad of the cactus (nopal), which can be treated like a vegetable, the petals of the flowers, which can be added to salads, and the pear (tuna), which can be treated like a fruit.

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About Us

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly

100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr.
in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.