Erect prickly-pear
Opuntia stricta
Last reviewed: October 2026
Erect prickly-pear (Opuntia stricta) is a perennial succulent native to AL, FL, GA, SC. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw bees.
Erect prickly-pear (Opuntia stricta) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
36"–72" H × 48"–96" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
AL, FL, GA, SC
Pollinators
bees
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A clump-forming, spiny-padded cactus with flattened green pads and large showy yellow flowers followed by red-purple fruit. It spreads over time to form dense thickets, and the spines are a hazard near walkways.
Growing Erect prickly-pear
Grow Erect prickly-pear in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 36 to 72 inches tall and spread 48 to 96 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Flowers are an important pollen source for native cactus-specialist bees, and the fruit is eaten by birds and mammals.
Common questions
- How much sun does Erect prickly-pear need?
- Erect prickly-pear grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Erect prickly-pear bloom?
- Erect prickly-pear blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Erect prickly-pear native?
- Erect prickly-pear (Opuntia stricta) is native to AL, FL, GA, SC, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Erect prickly-pear toxic to dogs?
- Erect prickly-pear is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
- Is Erect prickly-pear toxic to cats?
- Erect prickly-pear is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
- What pollinators does Erect prickly-pear attract?
- Erect prickly-pear draws bees.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Erect prickly-pear? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.