Brittle Prickly Pear
5.0 out of 5 (5 experiences)
Survivor
About Brittle Prickly Pear
Brittle Prickly Pear is a popular houseplant šæ that needs very little water to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light āļø and should be less than 1 foot from a window.
Plant parents describe this plant as being a survivor with a whopping 257 being grown with Greg around the world. Check out the reviews below for more details!š
Brittle Prickly Pear likes soil that is extremely well-draining. Your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size.
Taxonomy
Opuntia fragilis
Opuntia
Cactaceae
Caryophyllales
Also known as
Little Prickly Pear
How to care for Brittle Prickly Pear
Water
How often to water your Brittle Prickly Pear
every 12
Brittle Prickly Pear needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesnāt 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
Light
Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.
Select a city to check sunlight intensity
Finding light for Brittle Prickly Pear in your home
a window
Brittle Prickly Pear love being close to bright, sunny windows š.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Brittle Prickly Pear does not tolerate low-light š«.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Brittle Prickly Pear in your home š”.
Nutrients
How to fertilize Brittle Prickly Pear
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 itās likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Brittle Prickly Pear after it doubles in size or once a yearāwhichever comes first.
FAQs
Brittle Prickly Pear 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.
Sunlight Needs
Brittle Prickly Pear requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive šŖ. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home š”.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plantās toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, itās always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control atĀ US (800) 222-1222.Ā If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA atĀ US (888) 426-4435.
Humidity
Brittle Prickly Pear 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.
Soil
Brittle Prickly Pear is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesnāt 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!
Fertilizer
Brittle Prickly Pear grows very slowly and doesnāt require added fertilizer. Replacing your plantās potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
Itās common for Brittle Prickly Pear 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
Brittle Prickly Pear is native to the Americas.
Growth Pattern
Brittle Prickly Pear grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Brittle Prickly Pear can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Care Summary for Brittle Prickly Pear
Brittle Prickly Pear
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 12 days
Placement
< 1ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4ā pot your plant is in, and that it doesnāt get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Survivor 4
04/30/2021
Very reliable plant. She doesnāt need constant watering since sheās a succulent!
Survivor
Trending in your area
Similar to Brittle Prickly Pear
āØ Discover rare plants
Haworthia emelyae comā¦
Graptoveria 'Douglas ā¦
Peperomia 'Harmony's ā¦
Miss All-American Beaā¦
Rainbow Echeveria
Rosularia platyphylla
Anthurium Fingers
Cereus peruvianus 'Paā¦
Aloe 'Lavender Star'
Large Leaf Elephant Fā¦
Begonia lubbersii
Electric Blue Gecko
Betel
Philodendron 'Silver ā¦
Joan Daniel Echeveria
Hylotelephium sieboldā¦
