A low-growing, spreading cactus that features flat, fleshy green pads covered in clusters of spines. In early summer, it produces large, waxy, bright yellow flowers (often with a red center) that are absolute magnets for bees. It is a master of adaptation, shriveling up and looking almost "dead" in the winter to survive the freeze, only to puff back up and produce some of the most stunning 3” bright yellow flowers by early summer.
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Water Needs Very Low; extremely drought-tolerant
Soil Type Well-drained Loam, Sand, Gravel, or Rocky/Thin soil
Mature Height 6 – 12 inches
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time June – July
Bloom Color Yellow
Plant Spacing 6 – 8 inches
Hot & Dry: Prefers full sun and sandy, dry conditions. Good for the driest parts of your native garden.
The "Winter Shrivel": Don't be alarmed if your cactus looks wrinkled and flat in January! It pushes water out of its cells to prevent them from bursting in the cold. It "rehydrates" and stands back up as soon as the ground thaws.
Edible Fruits: After the flowers fade, the plant produces beautiful bright reddish-purple fruits. While they are edible, they are also covered in tiny, hair-like prickles (glochids), so they require careful handling.
Spines & Glochids: It has two types of defenses: the large, obvious needles and the tiny, barbed "fuzz" (glochids) that are actually harder to remove from your skin. A good, thick pair of gloves is a needed for anyone handling this plant.
Pollinators: The wide, bowl-shaped flowers are filled with nectar and pollen. A large variety of bees, butterflies and beetles are highly attracted to this flower
A low-growing, spreading cactus that features flat, fleshy green pads covered in clusters of spines. In early summer, it produces large, waxy, bright yellow flowers (often with a red center) that are absolute magnets for bees. It is a master of adaptation, shriveling up and looking almost "dead" in the winter to survive the freeze, only to puff back up and produce some of the most stunning 3” bright yellow flowers by early summer.
Sun Exposure Full Sun
Water Needs Very Low; extremely drought-tolerant
Soil Type Well-drained Loam, Sand, Gravel, or Rocky/Thin soil
Mature Height 6 – 12 inches
Deer Resistance High
Bloom Time June – July
Bloom Color Yellow
Plant Spacing 6 – 8 inches
Hot & Dry: Prefers full sun and sandy, dry conditions. Good for the driest parts of your native garden.
The "Winter Shrivel": Don't be alarmed if your cactus looks wrinkled and flat in January! It pushes water out of its cells to prevent them from bursting in the cold. It "rehydrates" and stands back up as soon as the ground thaws.
Edible Fruits: After the flowers fade, the plant produces beautiful bright reddish-purple fruits. While they are edible, they are also covered in tiny, hair-like prickles (glochids), so they require careful handling.
Spines & Glochids: It has two types of defenses: the large, obvious needles and the tiny, barbed "fuzz" (glochids) that are actually harder to remove from your skin. A good, thick pair of gloves is a needed for anyone handling this plant.
Pollinators: The wide, bowl-shaped flowers are filled with nectar and pollen. A large variety of bees, butterflies and beetles are highly attracted to this flower
