Also known as Prickly Pear · 34 gardener saves
Opuntia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Opuntia, the genus most gardeners know as prickly pear. We track 2 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 2 most-saved Opuntia varieties
Of 2 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
Opuntia questions
How many types of Opuntia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 2 distinct Opuntia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 34 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Opuntia grow in?
Across its varieties, Opuntia covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Opuntia bloom?
Most Opuntia varieties bloom in late spring, early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Opuntia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Opuntia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
