Find plants
My list (0)
Santa-Rita Prickly Pear, Purple Pancake, Purple Prickly Pear
Opuntia santa-rita
The Santa Rita Prickly Pear comes from the southern USA deserts and northern Mexico. This colorful cactus has attractive purplish pads, which will deepen in color with extremes in temperature, both cold and hot. This cactus can be attacked by cochineal scale, an insect that covers itself with a white substance. Easily removed with a strong spray from the garden hose. Beware that the crushed insects leave a dark red-purple colorfast dye that will stain concrete patios.
- Plant type: Cactus
- Maintenance level: Low
- Water requirement: Low
- Sun exposure: Full
- Height range: 2–6 Feet
- Width range: 4–8 Feet
- Growth rate: Medium
- Seasonal habit: Evergreen
- Flower color: Yellow
- Flower season: Spring
- Fruit color: Brown
- Fruit season: Summer
- Design style: Thorns/Spines, Year around color
- Hardiness cold tolerance: 0 °F
- Soil preference: Sand, Rocky, Well Drained, Dry
- Canopy value: 28 ft²
- Native location: Texas to Arizona, northern Mexico
- PH preference: Alkaline/Basic
- Sunset zones: 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
- USDA hardiness zone: 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
New Search