SKU: 75469584853
prickly pear cactus blooming

prickly pear cactus blooming Buy Purple Prickly Pear Phoenix, AZ | Opuntia santa-rita

Sale price$25.70 Regular price$28.56
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $7.14 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Jul 17 - Jul 22

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

prickly pear cactus blooming Buy Purple Prickly Pear Phoenix, AZ | Opuntia santa-ritaArizona's Most Colorful Native Cactus Purple Pads Year Round The Purple Prickly Pear (Opuntia santa rita) is the showstopper of the prickly pear family and one of the most eye catching native cacti you can plant in a Phoenix landscape. Its broad, flat pads shift from blue green to deep purple under cold or drought stress meaning you get stunning color exactly when your garden needs it most. Growing just 23 feet tall and spreading 35 feet wide, this

Arizona's Most Colorful Native Cactus — Purple Pads Year-Round

The Purple Prickly Pear (Opuntia santa-rita) is the showstopper of the prickly pear family and one of the most eye-catching native cacti you can plant in a Phoenix landscape. Its broad, flat pads shift from blue-green to deep purple under cold or drought stress — meaning you get stunning color exactly when your garden needs it most. Growing just 2–3 feet tall and spreading 3–5 feet wide, this low-growing cactus produces showy yellow flowers with red-orange centers in spring, followed by edible reddish-purple fruit. Whether you're building a drought-tolerant front yard in Scottsdale, filling a rocky slope in Fountain Hills, or creating a native cactus garden in Mesa — Purple Prickly Pear delivers year-round color with zero irrigation once established.

Purple Prickly Pear Plant Details

Attribute Detail
Scientific Name Opuntia santa-rita
Common Names Purple Prickly Pear, Santa Rita Prickly Pear, Violet Prickly Pear
Mature Height 2–3 feet
Mature Width 3–5 feet (spreading)
Growth Rate Moderate — fills in within 1–2 years in Phoenix
Sun Full sun (6+ hrs). Handles reflected heat from walls and pavement.
Water Extremely low once established. Thrives on rainfall alone in Phoenix.
USDA Zones 8–11 (Phoenix is Zone 9b–10a)
Soil Well-draining. Adapts to Arizona caliche and rocky native soils.
Foliage Evergreen — pads stay year-round, turn purple in cold/drought
Native Status Native to Arizona, southern New Mexico, and northern Mexico

Purple Prickly Pear Uses in Phoenix Landscapes

Drought-Tolerant Front Yard & Xeriscape

Purple Prickly Pear is the ultimate zero-water landscape plant once established. Mass-plant 3–5 specimens across a gravel or decomposed granite bed for a colorful, maintenance-free front yard. The purple pads pop against warm-toned gravel — a look that's become a signature of modern Scottsdale and Gilbert xeriscapes. Pair with Golden Barrel Cactus and Desert Spoon for texture contrast.

Native Cactus Garden

Create an authentic Sonoran Desert garden by grouping Purple Prickly Pear with Engleman's Prickly Pear, Mexican Fence Post, and Totem Pole cactus. The color contrast between the purple pads and the green columnar cacti creates a striking display. This combination thrives in Tempe, Chandler, and Mesa with almost no supplemental water.

Slope & Erosion Control

The spreading growth habit and dense root system make Purple Prickly Pear an excellent choice for stabilizing slopes and hillsides in Fountain Hills, Cave Creek, and north Scottsdale. Plant 3 feet apart on slopes — the pads will knit together within 2 seasons to create a colorful, erosion-resistant groundcover.

Wildlife & Pollinator Garden

The spring flowers attract native bees and butterflies, while the edible fruit feeds birds and desert wildlife through summer. Plant near a patio or window in Peoria or Glendale for front-row wildlife viewing.

Best Time to Plant Purple Prickly Pear in Phoenix

Fall (October–November) is ideal — warm soil encourages root growth while cooler air reduces transplant stress. This gives your prickly pear 6–8 months of root establishment before its first Phoenix summer. Spring (February–April) is the second-best window. Avoid planting in peak summer if possible, though established Purple Prickly Pear is incredibly heat-tolerant.

How to Plant Purple Prickly Pear

  1. Dig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth as the container.
  2. Check for caliche — break through any hardpan layer for drainage. Prickly pear will rot in standing water.
  3. Backfill with native soil — no amendments needed. This cactus prefers lean, rocky soil.
  4. Spacing — 3 feet apart for mass planting or slope coverage; 4–5 feet for individual specimens.
  5. Water basin — build a shallow ring to direct water to roots during establishment only.
  6. Mulch — 2–3 inches of gravel or decomposed granite. Never use organic mulch against cacti.

Watering Purple Prickly Pear in Phoenix

First Year Watering Schedule

Weeks 1–2: Every 3–4 days, deep and slow. Month 1–2: Every 7–10 days. Month 3–6: Every 2 weeks. After Year 1: Rainfall only in most Phoenix locations. Supplement once monthly in peak summer only if pads look shriveled.

Drip Irrigation

Place one 1 GPH emitter 12 inches from the base during the first year. After establishment, remove or turn off supplemental irrigation — overwatering is the #1 killer of prickly pear in Phoenix landscapes.

How fast does Purple Prickly Pear grow in Phoenix?
Moderate growth — a 1-gallon plant will fill a 3–4 foot area within 2 years in full sun. New pads emerge in spring and summer, each one adding to the spreading clump.

Why do the pads turn purple?
The purple coloring intensifies during cold weather (winter) and drought stress. It's caused by anthocyanin pigments — the same compounds that make blueberries blue. The more stress, the deeper the purple. In summer with regular water, pads shift back toward blue-green.

Is Purple Prickly Pear fruit edible?
Yes! The reddish-purple fruit (called tunas) is edible and has been used in traditional Southwestern cuisine for centuries. Harvest with tongs in late summer — they make excellent jams, syrups, and agua fresca.

Does Purple Prickly Pear have spines?
Purple Prickly Pear has fewer spines than most prickly pear species, but it does have glochids (tiny hair-like barbs). Plant it at least 3 feet from walkways and play areas. Use leather gloves when handling.

Can Purple Prickly Pear handle Phoenix summer heat?
Absolutely — it's native to the Sonoran Desert and handles temperatures well above 115°F. It also tolerates reflected heat from walls, concrete, and asphalt without any issues.

You May Also Like

Engleman's Prickly Pear — Arizona's classic green prickly pear, perfect for pairing with Purple Prickly Pear for a two-tone cactus display.
Golden Barrel Cactus — A round, golden-spined cactus that contrasts beautifully with the flat purple pads.
Mexican Fence Post — A tall columnar cactus that adds vertical height behind low-growing prickly pear.
Queen Victoria Agave — A compact, geometric agave with white markings — stunning accent next to purple pads.
Totem Pole Major — A smooth, spineless columnar cactus that pairs perfectly in modern desert gardens.

How Many Purple Prickly Pear Do I Need?

This is a low, spreading cactus (3 to 5 ft wide) that knits together for slope cover, mass plantings, and erosion control. Space plants about 3 ft on center to fill in within two seasons. Use the coverage table to plan a bed or slope:

Area to Cover Plants at 3 ft Centers
50 sq ft 5–6
100 sq ft 11–12
200 sq ft 22–24

For a single color accent in a gravel bed, one plant reads beautifully. Keep all plantings at least 3 ft back from walkways and play areas, since the pads carry glochids.

Purple Prickly Pear Season-by-Season in Phoenix

  • Spring (Feb–Apr): Showy yellow flowers with red-orange centers open along the pad edges, drawing native bees and butterflies. New pads flush as the weather warms. Strong second planting window.
  • Summer (May–Sep): Shrugs off temperatures well above 115°F and reflected heat on rainfall alone. Edible reddish-purple tunas ripen by late summer. Keep soil dry between any supplemental soaks.
  • Fall (Oct–Nov): Prime planting season. Warm soil and mild air give roots months to establish.
  • Winter (Dec–Jan): Cold and drought stress deepen the pads to vivid purple, the plant's signature look. Very cold hardy to about 15°F, so it sails through Valley winters with no protection.

At a Glance

✔ Arizona Native   ✔ Heat-Loving (Reflected-Heat Tolerant)   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Edible   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Low-Maintenance   ✔ Fire-Wise   ✔ Deer & Rabbit-Resistant   ✔ Cold-Hardy to 15°F

Plant It With

  • Engleman's Prickly Pear: Arizona's green native prickly pear for a two-tone pad display.
  • Mexican Fence Post: tall columns that add vertical height behind the low purple pads.
  • Totem Pole Major: a smooth sculptural column that pairs cleanly in a modern desert bed.
  • Desert Spoon: a silvery rosette that adds soft texture contrast to the flat pads.

Is Purple Prickly Pear Right for Your Yard?

It thrives in full sun and reflected heat in lean, fast-draining native soil, making it a no-irrigation choice for front yards, slopes, and native cactus gardens. Break through caliche so water never stands at the roots. It is not a fit right beside walkways, patios, or play areas, since the glochids catch skin and clothing: give it at least 3 ft of clearance.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 75469584853

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell prickly pear cactus blooming

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.8 ★★★★★
Based on 20 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
W
W. Simpsen
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Great kids' travel book about Barcelona
Format: Flexibound
Lonely Planet has some wonderful books designed to make an intimidating city full of interest and fun for kids. Most travel guides have way too much information for young travelers. This one about Barcelona has the most interesting information broken down into bite sized pieces for kids. All the pages are lively and colorful. They have photographs and illustrations. The guide contains what you want to know about zoos, museums, food, history and more. The blocks of text are short enough for young readers to get through and absorb the information. There are also details presented in text boxes. Because it's not page after page of a lot of written information, it is very inviting for young readers. While the Table of Contents doesn't explain very clearly what each section contains, there is an index at the back to help guide you. This book is recommended for ages 9 to 12. I think it might be better for a younger range, like 7 to 10. Either way, I think it's a great choice for any child traveling to Barcelona. While we have no plans to go anytime soon, my kids still looked through the pages of this book and enjoy learning about this foreign city. It's a good one to keep on our bookshelf and look through time and time again.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2019
P
PaulM
Lake Worth, US
★★★★★ 5
More Tapas Please!
Format: Flexibound, Format: Flexibound
If you are bringing kids along to a new city like Barcelona, the Lonely Planet Kids book provides a great introduction for the children. It has very little of the adult stuff about hotels and restaurants and nothing on how much they cost. It is all about sites and experiences. This lonely Planet book is divided into sixteen trails. There are marked starting points for each one on a map of the city, but no directions about getting from one attraction to the next along the trail. That must be the job of the adults. The groupings include history, castles, shopping, sports, parks, outdoor recreations, and food. I think that there should be more on food. There are over eighty pages in the book. Each page is rendered in bright color drawings and photographs. The images and the explanations each take up about the same amount of room, although I think that the images have the advantage. This is a great book for the kids and for adults who want to get the essence of the city without getting bogged down in details.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on April 1, 2019
G
Gen
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 5
Really fun and great for homeschooling or travel prep
Format: Flexibound
If you plan on traveling to Barcelona and want to get the kids excited and pumped for the visit, this would be a perfect book to read. There are so many different interesting aspects covered, from Barcelona's fashion week, to interesting wildlife found at the local parks, to statues and local history, that it really makes things rich and interesting. What I love best is the design and layout. There are photographs mixed with drawings mixed with text in different sidebars and bubbles. It's just really fun to read and fun to browse. The one thing that I don't like is that some books like this have a type of stinky ink that gives me an immediate headache. Unfortunately, this book has that stinky ink., and even letting it air out with some of the pages splayed open, has not dissipated the smell.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2019
K
Kate
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Inviting layout for kids and very informative!
Format: Flexibound
My 9 year old son loves this book! He is a huge fan of the Lonely Planet books. We have their books on Countries and Cities which he loves and is always pulling off the shelf to read but he loves these new City Trails books even more. If you are familiar with their other kid books this series is very similar. The information is presented in bite size chunks that are about a paragraph long. His favorite part was the the thematic trails which provide the information on a few pages under a different theme throughout the city. He loves the the real pictures of the city and the fun graphics, like cartoon people and information put in a phone. My son loves trivia and fun facts so this book is perfect for him. He loved telling me lots of things I had never heard of before. This was an informational book for him that gave him a lot of great information about the country and culture and would be an excellent choice to prepare for a trip. I remain very impressed with how engaging Lonely Planet makes information inviting to kids. I will definitely be buying him more books in this series.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2019
S
Sandra
Boise, US
★★★★★ 4
Easy and exciting
Format: Paperback
3.5⭐️ I didn't know that this book was the third part of the Campus Police series. But it reads well as a stand-alone book. The first two books are about the other two couples who also appear here. This time, the story revolves around Cappy, who is back after a few weeks away and her grandfather's funeral, and Jazz, a librarian with a special flair for decorating her office. In this short time, a lot has changed in Cappy's personal life, and she has to get used to it all again. Brian, a talented football player who was forced to completely change his life after a traffic accident, is found dead. Initially, it is classified as suicide, but Jazz insists on a more thorough investigation of the case, as she is convinced that Brian was looking forward to the future despite adverse circumstances. Cappy is assigned to determine whether it was a crime. The interviews Cappy conducted to uncover all the circumstances and background information were interesting. However, I found it a little strange that a civilian was allowed to attend these interviews. Jazz and Cappy have mutual friends who are all professionally involved with the campus. The banter between them is amusing, and the romance between Cappy and Jazz is nice and sweet. An easy-to-read book with amusing and likable characters, good and witty dialogue, and some suspense.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2025

recommand products