How long does Opuntia humifusa bloom?

Flowering runs from May into July, with individual blossoms typically opening for only a day or two before fading.

What pollinates Opuntia humifusa?

Bees and beetles are the main visitors, entering the wide yellow flowers to collect pollen.

How much water does this cactus need?

Very little. It handles low water well and prefers to dry out completely between waterings, especially in winter.

Does Opuntia humifusa need full sun?

Yes, it flowers and grows best in full sun, though it can tolerate some light afternoon shade in hotter climates.

What kind of soil does Opuntia humifusa prefer?

Sandy, gritty, well-drained soil similar to dune or rocky outcrop conditions works best, since standing moisture around the roots can cause rot.

Is Creeping Prickly-pear HOA-friendly?

Creeping Prickly-pear takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Creeping Prickly-pear

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Opuntia humifusa

Last reviewed: August 2026

Opuntia humifusa is a low-growing, mat-forming prickly pear cactus with flat green pads and cheerful yellow blooms from May through July. It thrives in full sun with sandy or rocky, well-drained soil and needs little water once established.

Creeping Prickly-pear (Opuntia humifusa) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

6"–12" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

AL, CT, DE, KY and 9 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Piedmont Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Northern Piedmont Southeastern Plains Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Western Allegheny Plateau Interior Plateau Interior River Valleys and Hills Mississippi Alluvial Plain Mississippi Valley Loess Plains Southern Coastal Plain Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

This native cactus forms low-growing mats of flattened, paddle-shaped stems with bright yellow flowers in late spring and summer. It thrives in poor, sandy soils and requires minimal water once established, making it excellent for challenging dry locations.

Growing Creeping Prickly-pear

Grow Creeping Prickly-pear in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 6 to 12 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Creeping Prickly-pear takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Cactus appearance conflicts with traditional landscaping expectations
Sharp spines create liability concerns

Wildlife value

The showy yellow blooms attract native bees and beetles during its May through July flowering period. The plant also provides habitat for specialized desert-adapted insects.

Common questions

How long does Opuntia humifusa bloom?: Flowering runs from May into July, with individual blossoms typically opening for only a day or two before fading.
What pollinates Opuntia humifusa?: Bees and beetles are the main visitors, entering the wide yellow flowers to collect pollen.
How much water does this cactus need?: Very little. It handles low water well and prefers to dry out completely between waterings, especially in winter.
Does Opuntia humifusa need full sun?: Yes, it flowers and grows best in full sun, though it can tolerate some light afternoon shade in hotter climates.
What kind of soil does Opuntia humifusa prefer?: Sandy, gritty, well-drained soil similar to dune or rocky outcrop conditions works best, since standing moisture around the roots can cause rot.
Is Creeping Prickly-pear toxic to dogs?: Creeping Prickly-pear is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Creeping Prickly-pear toxic to cats?: Creeping Prickly-pear is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Creeping Prickly-pear HOA-friendly?: Creeping Prickly-pear takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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