Santa Rita Prickly Pear
Opuntia santa-rita
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Details & Attributes
| Plant Type(s) | Cactus, succulent, perennial |
| Native to Arizona | Yes! |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Pollinators | Bees |
| Has Spines | Yes |
| Size In relative feet, width by height |
3-5' × 3-5' |
| Freeze Tolerant | Yes |
| Flowering Season | April-June |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Minimum Temperature Range | 0 °F |
| Leaf Description | Purple or greenish/blue pads |
| Fruit | Purple, barrel shaped |
| View on SEINet | View SEINet Entry |
| Range Map | View SEINet Range Map |
| Elevation Range | 3000-5000 ft. |
| Description | This is perhaps the best loved prickly pear for landscaping due to its showy purple pads and neat, upright form. This species occurs naturally just in southeastern Arizona but it is a suitable landscaping plant for gardens across much of the state. This interesting prickly pear has blue-purple pads which become especially vibrant with sun exposure or cold stress. Flowers are a canary yellow and followed by purple fruits. A good plant to mix with other cold hardy cacti and succulents such as cane cholla (Cylindropuntia spinosior), desert spoon (Dasylirion wheeleri), and banana yucca (Yucca baccata). |
