SKU: 1070168442
can prickly pear cactus grow in shade

can prickly pear cactus grow in shade Buy Purple Prickly Pear Phoenix, AZ | Opuntia santa-rita

Sale price$22.38 Regular price$24.87
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $6.22 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 20 - Aug 25

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

can prickly pear cactus grow in shade Buy Purple Prickly Pear Phoenix, AZ | Opuntia santa-ritaArizona's Most Colorful Native Cactus Purple Pads Year Round The Purple Prickly Pear (Opuntia santa rita) is the showstopper of the prickly pear family and one of the most eye catching native cacti you can plant in a Phoenix landscape. Its broad, flat pads shift from blue green to deep purple under cold or drought stress meaning you get stunning color exactly when your garden needs it most. Growing just 23 feet tall and spreading 35 feet wide, this

Arizona's Most Colorful Native Cactus — Purple Pads Year-Round

The Purple Prickly Pear (Opuntia santa-rita) is the showstopper of the prickly pear family and one of the most eye-catching native cacti you can plant in a Phoenix landscape. Its broad, flat pads shift from blue-green to deep purple under cold or drought stress — meaning you get stunning color exactly when your garden needs it most. Growing just 2–3 feet tall and spreading 3–5 feet wide, this low-growing cactus produces showy yellow flowers with red-orange centers in spring, followed by edible reddish-purple fruit. Whether you're building a drought-tolerant front yard in Scottsdale, filling a rocky slope in Fountain Hills, or creating a native cactus garden in Mesa — Purple Prickly Pear delivers year-round color with zero irrigation once established.

Purple Prickly Pear Plant Details

Attribute Detail
Scientific Name Opuntia santa-rita
Common Names Purple Prickly Pear, Santa Rita Prickly Pear, Violet Prickly Pear
Mature Height 2–3 feet
Mature Width 3–5 feet (spreading)
Growth Rate Moderate — fills in within 1–2 years in Phoenix
Sun Full sun (6+ hrs). Handles reflected heat from walls and pavement.
Water Extremely low once established. Thrives on rainfall alone in Phoenix.
USDA Zones 8–11 (Phoenix is Zone 9b–10a)
Soil Well-draining. Adapts to Arizona caliche and rocky native soils.
Foliage Evergreen — pads stay year-round, turn purple in cold/drought
Native Status Native to Arizona, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico

Purple Prickly Pear Uses in Phoenix Landscapes

Drought-Tolerant Front Yard & Xeriscape

Purple Prickly Pear is the ultimate zero-water landscape plant once established. Mass-plant 3–5 specimens across a gravel or decomposed granite bed for a colorful, maintenance-free front yard. The purple pads pop against warm-toned gravel — a look that's become a signature of modern Scottsdale and Gilbert xeriscapes. Pair with Golden Barrel Cactus and Desert Spoon for texture contrast.

Native Cactus Garden

Create an authentic Sonoran Desert garden by grouping Purple Prickly Pear with Engleman's Prickly Pear, Mexican Fence Post, and Totem Pole cactus. The color contrast between the purple pads and the green columnar cacti creates a striking display. This combination thrives in Tempe, Chandler, and Mesa with almost no supplemental water.

Slope & Erosion Control

The spreading growth habit and dense root system make Purple Prickly Pear an excellent choice for stabilizing slopes and hillsides in Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, and north Scottsdale. Plant 3 feet apart on slopes — the pads will knit together within 2 seasons to create a colorful, erosion-resistant groundcover.

Wildlife & Pollinator Garden

The spring flowers attract native bees and butterflies, while the edible fruit feeds birds and desert wildlife through summer. Plant near a patio or window in Peoria or Glendale for front-row wildlife viewing.

Best Time to Plant Purple Prickly Pear in Phoenix

Fall (October–November) is ideal — warm soil encourages root growth while cooler air reduces transplant stress. This gives your prickly pear 6–8 months of root establishment before its first Phoenix summer. Spring (February–April) is the second-best window. Avoid planting in peak summer if possible, though established Purple Prickly Pear is incredibly heat-tolerant.

How to Plant Purple Prickly Pear

  1. Dig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth as the container.
  2. Check for caliche — break through any hardpan layer for drainage. Prickly pear will rot in standing water.
  3. Backfill with native soil — no amendments needed. This cactus prefers lean, rocky soil.
  4. Spacing — 3 feet apart for mass planting or slope coverage; 4–5 feet for individual specimens.
  5. Water basin — build a shallow ring to direct water to roots during establishment only.
  6. Mulch — 2–3 inches of gravel or decomposed granite. Never use organic mulch against cacti.

Watering Purple Prickly Pear in Phoenix

First Year Watering Schedule

Weeks 1–2: Every 3–4 days, deep and slow. Month 1–2: Every 7–10 days. Month 3–6: Every 2 weeks. After Year 1: Rainfall only in most Phoenix locations. Supplement once monthly in peak summer only if pads look shriveled.

Drip Irrigation

Place one 1 GPH emitter 12 inches from the base during the first year. After establishment, remove or turn off supplemental irrigation — overwatering is the #1 killer of prickly pear in Phoenix landscapes.

How fast does Purple Prickly Pear grow in Phoenix?
Moderate growth — a 1-gallon plant will fill a 3–4 foot area within 2 years in full sun. New pads emerge in spring and summer, each one adding to the spreading clump.

Why do the pads turn purple?
The purple coloring intensifies during cold weather (winter) and drought stress. It's caused by anthocyanin pigments — the same compounds that make blueberries blue. The more stress, the deeper the purple. In summer with regular water, pads shift back toward blue-green.

Is Purple Prickly Pear fruit edible?
Yes! The reddish-purple fruit (called tunas) is edible and has been used in traditional Southwestern cuisine for centuries. Harvest with tongs in late summer — they make excellent jams, syrups, and agua fresca.

Does Purple Prickly Pear have spines?
Purple Prickly Pear has fewer spines than most prickly pear species, but it does have glochids (tiny hair-like barbs). Plant it at least 3 feet from walkways and play areas. Use leather gloves when handling.

Can Purple Prickly Pear handle Phoenix summer heat?
Absolutely — it's native to the Sonoran Desert and handles temperatures well above 115°F. It also tolerates reflected heat from walls, concrete, and asphalt without any issues.

You May Also Like

Engleman's Prickly Pear — Arizona's classic green prickly pear, perfect for pairing with Purple Prickly Pear for a two-tone cactus display.
Golden Barrel Cactus — A round, golden-spined cactus that contrasts beautifully with the flat purple pads.
Mexican Fence Post — A tall columnar cactus that adds vertical height behind low-growing prickly pear.
Queen Victoria Agave — A compact, geometric agave with white markings — stunning accent next to purple pads.
Totem Pole Major — A smooth, spineless columnar cactus that pairs perfectly in modern desert gardens.

How Many Purple Prickly Pear Do I Need?

This is a low, spreading cactus (3 to 5 ft wide) that knits together for slope cover, mass plantings, and erosion control. Space plants about 3 ft on center to fill in within two seasons. Use the coverage table to plan a bed or slope:

Area to Cover Plants at 3 ft Centers
50 sq ft 5–6
100 sq ft 11–12
200 sq ft 22–24

For a single color accent in a gravel bed, one plant reads beautifully. Keep all plantings at least 3 ft back from walkways and play areas, since the pads carry glochids.

Purple Prickly Pear Season-by-Season in Phoenix

  • Spring (Feb–Apr): Showy yellow flowers with red-orange centers open along the pad edges, drawing native bees and butterflies. New pads flush as the weather warms. Strong second planting window.
  • Summer (May–Sep): Shrugs off temperatures well above 115°F and reflected heat on rainfall alone. Edible reddish-purple tunas ripen by late summer. Keep soil dry between any supplemental soaks.
  • Fall (Oct–Nov): Prime planting season. Warm soil and mild air give roots months to establish.
  • Winter (Dec–Jan): Cold and drought stress deepen the pads to vivid purple, the plant's signature look. Very cold hardy to about 15°F, so it sails through Valley winters with no protection.

At a Glance

✔ Arizona Native   ✔ Heat-Loving (Reflected-Heat Tolerant)   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Edible   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Low-Maintenance   ✔ Fire-Wise   ✔ Deer & Rabbit-Resistant   ✔ Cold-Hardy to 15°F

Plant It With

  • Engleman's Prickly Pear: Arizona's green native prickly pear for a two-tone pad display.
  • Mexican Fence Post: tall columns that add vertical height behind the low purple pads.
  • Totem Pole Major: a smooth sculptural column that pairs cleanly in a modern desert bed.
  • Desert Spoon: a silvery rosette that adds soft texture contrast to the flat pads.

Is Purple Prickly Pear Right for Your Yard?

It thrives in full sun and reflected heat in lean, fast-draining native soil, making it a no-irrigation choice for front yards, slopes, and native cactus gardens. Break through caliche so water never stands at the roots. It is not a fit right beside walkways, patios, or play areas, since the glochids catch skin and clothing: give it at least 3 ft of clearance.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 1070168442

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell can prickly pear cactus grow in shade

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.4 ★★★★★
Based on 29 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
S
Verified Purchase
Sharon
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 5
Works great
Scent Name: Berry, Size: 100 Count
I have to use these for about 1/2 a year. I keep bronchitis and sinusitis from about Oct. to April every since I was a child. When I am suffering with these I can't breath through my nose, epically at night while sleeping and would wake up several times a night with dry mouth so bad ir was literally painful. My mom turned me on to these because she was using the with her CPAP. I sometimes have a bit of difficulty getting them to stay put but overall they are great. I have tried the OG, cinnamon, and berry. The OG have no real taste, but you wake up with a sweet taste in your mouth. I tried the cinnamon because I love cinnamon and didn't listen to the reviews stating how strong the flavor is, big regret, it's like putting two or three fireballs in your mouth, won't be making that mistake again. The berry ones are actually best in my opinion. They have a light berry flavor that isn't overpowering, isn't quite as sweet as the OG. Whichever one you choose you won't wake up in pain. I do suggest using only one at first as opposed to the two they recommend, unless you like waking up with your head on a water logged pillow. One generally gets me through the night unless my congestion is super bad, then I will sometimes have to use a 2nd one about 1/2 way through my night when I wake up for the bathroom and realize it's already completely dissolved.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2025
K
Verified Purchase
KT
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Get traction in your life work
Format: Paperback
This book is the best book I've read this year, giving concrete ideas on how to get more, I do mean more, in your life. Whatever your passion, be it starting a business, or in his case businesses, hobbies, relationships. One exercise Koch suggests is coming up with a list of your 10 best friends and rate them 1-10 (that in itself was fascinating) then put a percentage next to each friend. Are you spending the right amount of time with your closest, or more time with those less dear to you? His many insights will lead you in new ways to think about your life, your business, your family and friends. If you want to find new ways to think about your life, if you are in a rut and can't figure out what to do, if you are like me always busy and sometimes wondering am I doing the right things--this is a book for you. Richard Koch has written on this subject before and this is the best book for the individual.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on February 21, 2011
A
Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Great Book
Format: Kindle
Excellent points to consider in leadership. The 80/20 principle is a great read for leaders everywhere. I liked the book.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2012
M
Verified Purchase
Matt Bailey
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 4
Interesting Follow Up to the 80/20 Principle
Format: Paperback
If you enjoyed the 80/20 Principle this is a good guide to applying it in your life. He does make some bold predictions like highly competent individuals will soon make public corporations obsolete. Some of this book is highly speculative and other parts are very practical. Luckily it is pretty easy to tell which is which. Very interesting book.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2012
F
Verified Purchase
fernando lopeztorres
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
80/20
Format: Hardcover
What can I say about this book. Everybody must understand 80-20, that is the key of successful. This is it! the first book is better.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2010

recommand products