cooking prickly pear cactus pads Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus Pads (Opuntia humifusa) – Streambank Gardens

cooking prickly pear cactus pads Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus Pads (Opuntia humifusa) – Streambank GardensThe Eastern Prickly Pear is a highly attractive cacti with cold, heat, and drought tolerance. In the spring pollinators and people flock to them. Their cheery yellow blooms are large and individual masterpieces that blanket the plants for weeks starting in late May. Once they are done blooming the purple fruits are borne on the pads giving another color flare until winter. The pads take on a rosy blush in the winter offering a 365 day display. The

The Eastern Prickly Pear is a highly attractive cacti with cold, heat, and drought tolerance. In the spring pollinators and people flock to them.  Their cheery yellow blooms are large and individual masterpieces that blanket the plants for weeks starting in late May.  Once they are done blooming the purple fruits are borne on the pads giving another color flare until winter.  The pads take on a rosy blush in the winter offering a 365 day display.  The fruits and pads are edible but care must be taken to eliminate the spines which can be painful.  The Eastern Prickly Pear is native to the eastern United States and grow locally here (DE) at the beaches and in upland forests.  They prefer quick draining soils and will not tolerate wet feet.   A stellar plant for the front of the garden border, plantings en masse, or even in containers with quick drainage.  An easy plant for the beginner and equally fun for the experienced gardeners alike.
Mature Plant Size: 12"-18" Tall, 24" Spread( 3 year old plant)
Bloom Time: May/June
Light Exposure: Full Sun 
Soil Type/pH: Well-drained/6.0-7.0 
Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Plant Size: Unrooted pad(pictured); rooting instructions included
Fertilizer: A yearly dose of compost in late winter is normally sufficient, or you can use your favorite all-purpose fertilizer.  We don't recommend using liquid fertilizer with a high nitrogen analysis as they flop when overfed.
When to Plant: When soil temperatures are above 50° Fahrenheit for six or more weeks.  Can be potted indoors when temperatures are lower.
Shipping Season: April - October; ask us if we have any out of season by e-mailing us at [email protected]