Erect prickly pear
Also known as
Sweet prickly-pear and Nopal estricto
Taxonomy
Opuntia stricta
Opuntia
Cactaceae
Caryophyllales
How to care for Erect prickly pear
Water
How often to water your Erect prickly pear
every 12
Erect 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 Erect prickly pear in your home
a window
Erect 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.
Erect prickly pear does not tolerate low-light š«.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Erect prickly pear in your home š”.
Nutrients
How to fertilize Erect 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 Erect prickly pear after it doubles in size or once a yearāwhichever comes first.
FAQs
Erect 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
Erect 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.
Soil
Erect prickly pear does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Erect 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!
Growth Pattern
Erect prickly pear grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.
Care Summary for Erect prickly pear
Erect 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.
