Opuntia polyacantha

RHS Plant Profile

many-spined prickly pear

RHS / Janet Cubey

Other common names

Heacock's prickly pear

Synonyms

Opuntia schweriniana
Opuntia heacockiae

Cactus Succulent Conservatory Greenhouse

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A spreading, perennial cactus that can reach up to 2m across comprising low mats of pad-like stem segments up to 40cm tall. The oval or circular, mid-green, flattened stem segments are covered in areoles each with woolly brown fibres and often with spines up to 5cm long. Solitary yellow or magenta flowers up to 7.5cm across are borne in summer at the ends of the stem segments

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cactaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs): Skin/eye irritant. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Opuntia can be creeping, bushy or tree-like cacti, usually with flattened, pad-like stem segments bearing spines and barbed bristles, and with funnel-shaped flowers followed by spiny, fleshy fruits
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: Canada USA Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in sharply-draining, peat-free, loam-based compost with added sharp sand, or a proprietary peat-free cactus compost. Provide full light at all times and allow compost to dry before watering during growth period in spring, summer and early autumn and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser three or four times. Withhold water and fertiliser in winter when dormant. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed in spring or root stem segments in summer. Handle segments with folded newspaper to avoid touching spines

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free although in poorly drained, or wet soil, can be susceptible to root rots