Giant Prickly Pear
Opuntia robusta
An imposing prickly pear with enormous silver-blue pads that creates an unforgettable desert focal point.
Hardy to around 15-20°F, USDA 9-11; excellent low-desert heat tolerance.
AMWUA Notes
Bold water-storing prickly pear that thrives on minimal irrigation.
Care Guide
Needs little supplemental water once established; deep-soak occasionally in extreme drought and avoid keeping the crown wet.
Remove oversized or damaged pads at the joint with tongs and gloves to manage the bold form and spread.
Not necessary.
Cochineal scale is the main pest; remove cottony masses with a water jet.
Fully sun- and heat-loving; the massive silver-blue pads plump after summer rains.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Sharp-draining decomposed granite or gritty mineral soil; lean
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
Low feeder.
Pads root readily after callusing; also seed
8-10 ft
Shallow, non-invasive roots; keep the large pads clear of paths and pools
Placement Tips
- •Give generous room for the 10 ft spread as a specimen or screen.
- •Keep the large pads clear of paths and pools.
- •Plant in sharp-draining granite.
- •Site as a dramatic focal point.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Giant Prickly Pear. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.