A field full of prickly pear cacti with purple fruit.

Prickly Pear

Are you looking for a unique addition to your garden? If so, the prickly pear cactus offers an exotic and low-maintenance approach that is sure to bring interest to any outdoor space. Whether in the desert or on a terrace, this these cacti produce beautiful blossoms, edible fruit and fleshy pads, and provide stunning texture year-round. For those new to gardening, don’t worry – growing and caring for prickly pears requires minimal effort! Read our guides below to find tips and tricks for finding success with these vibrant desert dwellers. New to growly prickly pear? Start here.

How to Harvest Prickly Pear (Opuntia) Fruit

A close up horizontal image of prickly pear fruits, whole and sliced in a white bowl on a marble surface.

Prickly pear cacti earned their name because of the edible, tasty, pear-shaped fruits they produce. These colorful fruits are tasty, nutritious, and easy to process! If you’ve avoided trying them because of their unfriendly-seeming spines, don’t worry – we’ll cover everything you need to know for a safe harvest.

How to Harvest Prickly Pear (Opuntia) Pads

A close up horizontal image of freshly harvested prickly pear pads with the spines removed.

Though they may be just a tad fierce-looking with their large spines and strange shape, prickly pear cacti are not only edible, they’re delicious! It’s a little tricky to harvest nopales without being poked, but we’re going to discuss just how to do this so you can painlessly enjoy this treat at home for years to come.

How to Grow Prickly Pear Cactus

A close up horizontal image of prickly pear fruit ready for harvest.

Whether you live in an arid region or a temperate climate, there is a prickly pear species suitable for your landscaping needs. Many Opuntias also come with the added bonus of edible pads and fruits. It’s super easy to get started and caretaking is a breeze. Learn how to grow prickly pear cactus in this guide. Read more.