





Chenille Pricklypear
About Chenille Pricklypear
Chenille Pricklypear is a super rare houseplant 🌿 that needs very little water to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.
Chenille Pricklypear 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 aciculata
Opuntia
Cactaceae
Caryophyllales
Also known as
Old Man's Whiskers, Cowboy Red Whiskers and Golden Glochid Cactus

How to care for Chenille Pricklypear

How often to water your Chenille Pricklypear

every 12
Chenille Pricklypear needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot located in Atlanta, Georgia.
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

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.
Atlanta, Georgia
51% Low

Finding light for Chenille Pricklypear in your home

a window
Chenille Pricklypear love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive during this time of reduced sunlight intensity in Atlanta, Georgia ⛅.
Chenille Pricklypear does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

How to fertilize Chenille Pricklypear

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 Chenille Pricklypear after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Chenille Pricklypear 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
Chenille Pricklypear 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 🏡.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Humidity
Chenille Pricklypear 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
Chenille Pricklypear 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!
Fertilizer
Chenille Pricklypear 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!
Dormancy
It’s common for Chenille Pricklypear 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
Chenille Pricklypear is native to the Americas.
Flowers
Chenille Pricklypear produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.
Care Summary for Chenille Pricklypear
Chenille Pricklypear
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 12 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on your location in Atlanta, Georgia, the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
