Scientific Name
Cylindropuntia hystrix (Griseb.) Areces
Synonym(s)
Grusonia hystrix, Opuntia hystrix
Scientific Classification
Family: Cactaceae
Subfamily: Opuntioideae
Tribe: Cylindropuntieae
Genus: Cylindropuntia
Origin
Cylindropuntia hystrix is native to Cuba.
Description
Cylindropuntia hystrix is a shrubby cactus with green cylindrical segments with strong tubercles and clusters of long spines. The stem segments can grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) long.
The flowers are pinkish-red and can reach up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. They appear from late spring to early summer.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 8b to 10b: from 15 °F (−9.4 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).
How to Grow and Care
The large variety of species within the Opuntia genus means different Prickly Pears may need slightly different care. All are desert cacti that need lots of sun, light, and very little water. So, if you live in a hot, arid area, these plants can generally be planted outside, left alone, and enjoyed.
These cacti will grow fine in a garden but can also be grown in pots. To repot, ensure the soil is dry, remove the pot, and remove the old soil. After treating any cuts with fungicide, place the cactus in a new pot and backfill it with potting soil. As with a new cutting, do not briefly water a newly repotted Prickly Pear to avoid rotting its roots.
Opuntia can propagate either by cuttings or by seed. To propagate by cuttings, sever pads from a plant and let them dry to heal the wounds. Then, place the plants in dry soil and refrain from watering them until they begin to grow to avoid rotting them.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Opuntia.
Links
- Back to genus Cylindropuntia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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