Opuntia stricta is a moderate growing native cactus that grows 3-6ft tall and about as wide. It prefers full sun and dry, well-drained soils, though it can handle periodic inundation. It can make a unique, informal shrub or specimen plant in the landscape. It blooms all year with a peak in Spring-Summer, and produces red edible fruits. Prickly Pears typically have long yellow spines as well as smaller, hair-like spines (glochids); be careful when handling!
