SKU: 23907283454
is prickly pear a cactus

is prickly pear a cactus Buy Purple Prickly Pear Phoenix, AZ | Opuntia santa-rita

Sale price$24.35 Regular price$27.06
Save 10%

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 15 - Jul 20

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

is prickly pear a cactus 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: 23907283454

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell is prickly pear a cactus

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.5 ★★★★★
Based on 1527 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
M
Mx. Phoebe's Viewpoint
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 4
a second-chance romance with humor, steaminess, friendship, and love.
Format: Kindle
Going back to where you felt safe and loved to close that chapter and then finding your ex there is beyond complicated. Both Robin and Molly go back to Eureka Springs for reasons other than personal as they both happen to be there for professional reasons too. This makes leaving almost impossible. An opportunity to close their chapter, with some cash too, sends them spiraling towards confrontations, pranks, and some hanky panky. I enjoyed Bed and Breakup. After reading Susie Dumond’s afterword, it was nice knowing that a place like Eureka Springs actually exists. Where people can exist in harmony and be celebrated for who they are - everyone. The banter is fun even when there is a trace of anger and pain. I think because you know this is a romance and nowadays, they usually come with a happy ending, you know this too shall pass. Dumond does make you rethink a prank though. Holy sugar. I will confess that the first one would give me the heebie-jeebies too. The chemistry is good, and the details are in even better 😆. I think it does kind of suck that they were both with other partners while still being married, but I guess that’s real life. It’s just weird to be thinking in the middle of things, “oh that’s new, she must have learned that while boinking someone else.” It kind of brings an ick factor into it. There is something missing for me on Robin’s side. We get to see Molly’s reaction all of the time to Robin’s cooking and artistry in the kitchen. Robin sees Molly’s work once. We never see her walking down the street after the installation of the three storefronts that Molly did and have her admire them or be in awe. Molly researched Robin’s restaurants and talked to her artist to artist. Robin didn’t even bother. She just wanted her to work on the inn even when things were going well for them. It felt like she never really respected Molly’s artistry. Where was the caring when Molly sliced up her hands trying to get the jimmies just right on the donuts in the window? I don’t know, it just seemed very one sided. I love the diverse secondary cast. I love Key and how she is represented in this book. She checks everyone all of the time and reminds them that she is a proud Black woman. She’s striving to make the town stronger and for businesses to grow for her community. I love this. I hope Dumond goes back to Eureka and writes Key’s love story. She’s feisty, loyal, artistic, and strong. I adore her. Heck, I’d date her. Bed and Breakup is a second-chance romance with humor, steaminess, friendship, and love. I loved escaping to Eureka Springs. Add this one to your beach bag for a good time.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2025
B
Verified Purchase
Book Reviews
Alexandria, US
★★★★★ 5
Poignant Account
Format: Kindle
Fascinating account of a young woman's journey through two years of bleakness and danger in Canada's tar sands. I was drawn to this graphic novel because of its unusual subject matter and was impressed with its depth and insights -- just who is that is drawn to these places and this kind of life and why? It was even darker than expected as well as one more argument to end fossil fuels -- not only for their contribution to climate change, but because of the extreme damage they do to the environment and to the people who work in this industry and those who live nearby. A beautifully honest work of art.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2025
L
Verified Purchase
Lyuba Dutchak
Draper, US
★★★★★ 5
A both pragmatic and intimate window into the effects of economic displacement on the working class
Format: Kindle
Beaton's autobiographical account puts the reader into the position of a working class young person making the most practical economic decision for herself - and therefore exposing herself to the surreal realities that post-NAFTA capitalism and environmental crisis life have created for not only working class families in Canada, but to the lands and lifestyle they once loved and cherished. In these pages that plainly display slice of life interactions without exaggeration or fanfare, the experience is natural and never preachy. Behind the grounded focus on day to day life, the economic system of worship of money over human-to-human relationships and human-to-nature relationships is the understated undercurrent. From that current rises the dust covered, inherently temporary, inherently not-treated-as-a-home, world of the oil sands and work camps and the psychology that they create, which Beaton unflinchingly examines. I, too, chose to avoid the pit of student loans, but rather in the United States and by joining the US Army as a female soldier. These accounts would be very poignant to any female veteran, especially anyone who has been on a combat deployment. I highly recommend it.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2024
C
Verified Purchase
Cosmic Dust Bunny
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
Entertaining, imformative, important and compassionate
Format: Hardcover
I bought this book thinking (1), it'll be easy to consume, (2) I'll learn something about Canadian culture, (3) it'll at some point shed a light on the environmental harms that oil drilling causes, and (4) there'll be a redeeming ending. I was right about (2) and (3). Easy to consume? Not as easy as I thought and whether or not the ending is redeeming, the author Beaton leaves to the reader to determine. It is autobiographical based on the author's experiences, and she does go on after her experiences to become a renowned author/cartoonist. However, one questions whether these experiences, that were part of her path to get there, justify the means, and there is no overarching message that wraps everything up neatly "in a bow". This book was even more important that I anticipated it to be and while it does speak to certain aspects of Canadian culture (mostly regional), the lessons can be applied beyond that context. My favorite aspects of the book were that it addressed difficult topics with humanity and compassion and even though this topics are intellectually and emotionally difficult, the medium is easier to consumer than perhaps other mediums. Highly recommend.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2024
A
Verified Purchase
Amazon Customer
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 4
Fascinating story and great graphics
Format: Hardcover
Fascinating story of a young girl from Nova Scotia working in the oil sands in a male dominated work force. Great graphics.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2024

recommand products