Purple Prickly Pear – Opuntia Santa Rita 2 Unrooted Pads | Hardy Cactus | Rare Purple Variety Cold Hardy Opuntia | Edible Fruit | Zone 7+

Add dramatic desert color to your garden with the Purple Prickly Pear (Opuntia santa-rita). This rare and fast-growing cactus is known for its striking purple pads that deepen in color with sun exposure and cooler temperatures.

This listing includes 2 healthy unrooted pads ready for planting. Once established, this hardy perennial forms a clumping growth habit and produces beautiful yellow blooms followed by edible prickly pear fruit.

Perfect for xeriscape landscapes, rock gardens, Mediterranean-style yards, or container growing in colder regions.

You will receive:
✔️ 2 unrooted Opuntia santa-rita pads
✔️ Rare purple hardy variety
✔️ Suitable for outdoor planting
✔️ Edible fruit producing cactus
✔️ Secure packaging for safe arrival

🌼 Growing Information

Common Name: Purple Prickly Pear, Santa Rita Prickly Pear
Botanical Name: Opuntia santa-rita (Opuntia violacea var. santa-rita)
Plant Type: Perennial cactus
Growth Stage: Unrooted pad cuttings
Sun Requirements: Full sun for best purple color
Soil: Well-draining sandy or rocky soil
Watering: Low; drought tolerant once established
Growth Habit: Clumping
Bloom Color: Yellow
Fruit: Edible red-purple fruit
USDA Zones: 7–10
Container Friendly: Yes

💡 Care Tip: Allow pads to callus for several days before planting. Place in dry, well-draining soil and wait about one week before watering. Handle carefully, as pads contain small spines and glochids.