Opuntia Santa Rita Purple Prickly Pear 5"Tall #1Y

Santa Rita Prickly Pear Cactus is a succulent plant of the genus Opuntia in the Cactaceae family. Native to the American Southwest into Mexico. The Santa Rita Prickly Pear is an upright, bushy succulent shrub with colorful, round, ovate, fleshy pads. Covered with spines, the pads turn rich purple in winter before changing back to soft blue gray with warmer temperatures. This purple pad coloration also intensifies in direct sunlight and drought.

In spring, large multi-petalled and yellow flowers appear on the outer edges of the pads, creating a stunning contrast with the purple pads. They are followed by small edible purple fruits that are highly attractive to birds. Frost hardy, Santa Rita Prickly Pear is a very decorative cactus which adds beauty to the garden year-round. Typically grows up to 6-8 ft. tall and 8-10 ft. wide. This low-maintenance plant is a great choice for xeriscape gardens, rock gardens, and cactus gardens.