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Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus

About Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus is a popular houseplant 🌿 that is easy to grow and needs very little water to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus likes soil that is extremely well-draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus belongs to the Opuntia genus, and is native to Southwestern United States and Mexico.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Opuntia basilaris

Genus

Opuntia

Family

Cactaceae

Order

Caryophyllales

Also known as

Heil's beavertail pricklypear, Trelease's beavertail pricklypear, Beavertail cactus, Beavertail pricklypear, dwarf prickly pear 'amethyst wave', Opuntia basilaris. and Large Elongated Blue

How to care for Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus

💦 Water

How often to water your Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus in your home

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #PricklyPear

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

Benefits of Growing Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus →

Common Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus Water Frequency →

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus Light Requirements →

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

💨 Humidity

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus →

When and How to Successfully Repot Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus →

💩 Fertilizer

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus is native to the Americas.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus Flowers →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

How and When to Prune Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus Temperature Tolerance →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

How to Propagate Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Bakersfield Beavertail Cactus. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!