Low prickly pear
Will it grow where I live?
Low prickly pear is hardy to zone 7: lowlands, river valleys and cities across Central Europe are fine, harsher continental or upland sites need winter protection or a container. It also needs warm summers – in Central Europe that means wine-growing regions, cities or a sheltered south-facing wall.
Or check it for your location right here:
Profile
- Family
- Cactaceae
- Habit
- Shrub
- Height
- 0.2 m
- Spread
- 1.8 m
- Growth
- medium
- Lifespan
- 25 years
- First yield
- after 3 years
- Hardiness
- zone 7–11
- Shade tolerance
- full sun
- Soil
- Sand, Silt
- Soil moisture
- very dry – semi-dry
- pH
- 6 – 7.5
Uses
Frequently asked questions
Low prickly pear: how big does it get?
Low prickly pear (Opuntia humifusa) grows as a Shrub and reaches roughly 0.2 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 1.8 m. Growth is medium.
Low prickly pear: what site does it need?
Low prickly pear tolerates full sun. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt. Soil moisture should be in the range very dry – semi-dry. The pH may lie between 6 and 7.5.
Low prickly pear: is it hardy?
Low prickly pear is listed as hardy in zone 7–11 and survives normal winters outdoors there.
Low prickly pear: will it grow in Central Europe?
Low prickly pear is hardy to zone 7: lowlands, river valleys and cities across Central Europe are fine, harsher continental or upland sites need winter protection or a container. It also needs warm summers – in Central Europe that means wine-growing regions, cities or a sheltered south-facing wall.
Low prickly pear: is it poisonous?
No toxicity is recorded for Low prickly pear. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone — only on a confident identification.
Low prickly pear: what is it used for?
Rated on a scale up to 10: Edible 5/10, Medicinal 3/10, Other uses 3/10.
Plan this plant into your own garden
Permaplans plans your garden to scale on the map — with a site check, harvest calendar and over 1,000 plants. Free for iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows & Linux.
Will this plant grow where you live? → Check your site
Community experience
No first-hand reports for this plant yet.
Growing it? Write in the app what works for you – your post will show up here.
💬 Get the app and join in