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Kiersten Rankel
Kiersten lives in New Orleans, LA and graduated with her masters degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Tulane University in 2019.
She has conducted or assisted on research studies covering trees such as the bald cypress, swamp maple, and water tupelo, as well as important marsh grasses including Juncus, Spartina, and Phragmites.
Kiersten is a certified Louisiana Master Naturalist and regularly volunteers with local community gardens and nonprofits to help restore critical ecosystems along the Gulf Coast.

4.6 out of 5 (17 experiences)


About Barbary Fig
Barbary Fig is a super popular houseplant đż that is isnât challenging to grow and needs very little water to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light âïž and should be less than 1 foot from a window.
Plant parents describe this plant as being a survivor and easy to propagate with a whopping 2867 being grown with Greg around the world. Check out the reviews below for more details!đ
Barbary Fig likes soil that is extremely well-draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.
Barbary Fig belongs to the Opuntia genus, and is native to Mexico.
Taxonomy
Opuntia ficus-indica
Opuntia
Cactaceae
Caryophyllales
Also known as
Prickly Pear and Sweet Prickly Pear

How to care for Barbary Fig
How often to water your Barbary Fig

every 12
Barbary Fig needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesnât 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
Finding light for Barbary Fig in your home

a window
Barbary Fig love being close to bright, sunny windows đ.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Barbary Fig does not tolerate low-light đ«.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Barbary Fig in your home đĄ.
How to fertilize Barbary Fig

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 itâs likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Barbary Fig after it doubles in size or once a yearâwhichever comes first.
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What does this color mean? Help - also the new growths are droopy #PricklyPear
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My plant looks like itâs dying is this normal? He is kept outdoors and Iâm afraid it got too cold #PricklyPear
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Will these straighten out? #PricklyPear my plant has so much new growth and I keep moving the grow light around but will these end up straightening out on their own? Probably my favorite plant right now. This app has me feeling like a plant champ!
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Barbary fig- propagation What is the best why to propagate these? My friend gave me these off her giant Barbary Fig today. I want to make sure they root. I currently have them in a glass jar with room temperature water. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. #BarbaryFig
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Cactus Concerns, Part 1 đ Hey there! So Barbara here has some new growthâ is this a new pad growing or it is a bloom? I was thinking it was just regular growth until it started getting a hint of color to it other than âcactus gray-green.â đ€đ€·đ»đ” #cactusquestion #QueerPlantParents #HappyPlants
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Umm same cactus ? Iâve asked the question are they if this was two cactuses in one people said yes cut it off so I did that and I ended up with a really long growing cactus piece. Thatâs probably almost 2 feet long and is narrow as straw which I donât understandđ€·đœââïž And this is now happening again and Iâm kind of confused if this is the same type of cactus or if it is two different cactuses in one.
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Skinny paddles #BarbaryFig her paddles are so skinty, and arenât strong enough to hold themselves up anymoreâ is this normal/will they round over time? Should I chop and prop or add some supports and let âer rip?
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Whatâs wrong with this lady? Hi everyone, Since I am not well informed about plants, I couldnât understand whatâs going on with my plant? Could you enlighten me?
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Hey everyone! I just adopted a Barbary and am slightly concerned abt my lighting placement. All the windows in my house are north facing so Iâm wondering if this will be enough light for him? I appreciate any advice. #BarbaryFig
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My barbery fig is shriveled at the bottom and fell over. What should I do? Can I save him? #BarbaryFig
Care Summary for Barbary Fig
Barbary Fig
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4â pot your plant is in, and that it doesnât get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say




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Gregâs plant care information is derived from first-principles biology and physics and supported by peer-reviewed research, academic institutions, and industry experts. We are committed to providing the highest-quality plant care information available, so if you have any concerns about our content, feel free to reach out to our support.
- Plants for a Future. âPlant Database.â pfaf.org. N.p., n.d. Web.
- Encyclopedia of Life. âEncyclopedia of Life.â eol.org. N.p., n.d. Web.