Plant Care Coastal Pricklypear

Coastal Pricklypear

About Coastal Pricklypear

Coastal Pricklypear is a relatively 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.

Coastal 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 littoralis
Opuntia
Cactaceae
Caryophyllales

Also known as

Coastal Prickly-pear

How to care for Coastal Pricklypear

💦 Water

How often to water your Coastal Pricklypear

Water needs for Coastal Pricklypear
0.5 cups
every 12

Coastal Pricklypear 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.

Calculate water needs of Coastal Pricklypear

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Coastal Pricklypear in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Coastal Pricklypear: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Coastal Pricklypear love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Coastal Pricklypear does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Coastal Pricklypear in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Coastal Pricklypear

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Coastal Pricklypear: 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 Coastal Pricklypear after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Opuntia
💡 FAQs
💦 Water Needs

Coastal 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.

Coastal Pricklypear Water Frequency →

Coastal Pricklypear Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Coastal 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 🏡.

Coastal Pricklypear Light Requirements →

Coastal Pricklypear Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Coastal Pricklypear 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.

Is Coastal Pricklypear Edible? →

Coastal Pricklypear Toxicity to Cats →

Coastal Pricklypear Toxicity to Dogs →

Coastal Pricklypear Toxicity to Humans →


💨 Humidity

Coastal 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.

Coastal Pricklypear Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Coastal 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!

Best Soil Mix for Coastal Pricklypear →

Best Pots for Coastal Pricklypear →

When and How to Successfully Repot Coastal Pricklypear →

What Are Healthy Coastal Pricklypear Roots →


💩 Fertilizer

Coastal 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!

How Much and When to Fertilize Coastal Pricklypear →


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Coastal 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

Coastal Pricklypear is native to the Americas.


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Coastal Pricklypear grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Coastal Pricklypear Lifecycle →

Coastal Pricklypear Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Coastal Pricklypear →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors
🧐 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 Coastal Pricklypear. 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!


Care Summary for Coastal Pricklypear

Coastal Pricklypear

Coastal Pricklypear


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 12 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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