Eastern Prickly Pear plant profile
Opuntia humifusa
A perennial fruit for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Eastern Prickly Pear
NC State Extension describes eastern prickly pear as a clump-forming evergreen succulent whose pads break off and root readily. No planting date is given, so set out plants or root pads in the warm season once the soil has warmed, and handle with gloves because the barbed bristles cause skin irritation.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Eastern Prickly Pear in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 36 to 72 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 4a to 9bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: root rot in wet soil, contact dermatitis from glochids, intolerant of shade and wet soil.
Next steps
Continue with Eastern Prickly Pear
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Opuntia humifusa (Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, Devil's Tongue)
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.