Does it need a lot of water?

No, it prefers very dry conditions and will rot if kept wet.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it does well in containers with excellent drainage and a gritty cactus mix.

Plant guide

Beavertail cactus.

Opuntia basilaris

Pronounced oh-PUN-tee-uh bay-zih-LAIR-iss

Also known as Bakersfield beaver-tail cactus, Beavertail Prickly-pear, Kern beaver-tail cactus, Woodbury beaver-tail cactus, beaver-tail cactus, beaver-tail prickly-pear, beavertail pricklypear, branching beaver-tail cactus

Beavertail Pricklypear — Photo by johnyochum (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The beavertail cactus is a charming, spineless succulent native to the American Southwest. It forms beautiful, paddle shaped pads that take on a lovely bluish hue. You will love the vibrant pink flowers that bloom in the spring.

Another photo of Beavertail cactus — Photo by Aaron Kreisberg (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Cactus
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet tall
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 10
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Give this cactus plenty of sun and keep it in a very well draining soil mix. Watch for shriveling pads which indicate thirst, but be careful not to overwater as it is prone to rot. Always use gloves when handling to avoid the tiny, irritating glochids.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced cactus fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Remove dead or damaged pads using thick gloves or tongs.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its current container.
Soil: Sandy, rocky, well draining cactus mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -15 to 45°C
Humidity: 10 to 40%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Plant becoming top-heavy
Soil no longer draining well

Safety

People: The plant is not toxic, but the fine, hair-like spines called glochids can cause severe skin irritation.
Pets: This plant is not toxic to cats or dogs, though the tiny glochids can cause irritation if touched.
Children: Keep this plant well away from children due to the nearly invisible, sharp glochids that cause significant discomfort upon contact.
Contact allergens: The tiny, barbed glochids easily detach and embed in skin, causing painful irritation.
Airborne allergens: None.
Edibility: While the fruit is edible, it is covered in tiny, irritating glochids that must be removed before consumption.

How to identify it

Flat paddle shaped pads
Lacks long sharp spines
Covered in tiny glochids
Bluish green pad color
Bright pink spring flowers

Height: 0.15 to 0.4m
Spread: 0.3 to 1m
Leaves: blue-green, purple-tinged, evergreen
Flowers: magenta, pink, 5 to 8cm
Fruit: tan, gray, Late summer

Problems to watch for

Root rot · Usually caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil.
Mealybugs · Small white insects that suck sap from the pads.

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant completely dry during winter to prevent rot. Ensure it is in a spot with excellent drainage.
In containers: It grows well in pots at least 20 cm wide, provided you use a fast-draining cactus potting mix.

Pad Cuttings

1. Carefully remove a healthy pad using tongs.
2. Let the cut end callous over in a dry, shaded spot for a week.
3. Plant the calloused end in dry, gritty soil.
4. Wait several weeks before watering lightly.

Group this cactus with other desert plants that require minimal water to avoid accidental overwatering.

Grows well with

Desert Marigold · It shares the same need for full sun and dry soil.
Agave · It provides a nice structural contrast in a desert garden.

Similar species

Prickly Pear · It is a larger relative with similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Opuntia
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered, but please avoid collecting specimens from the wild.

It survives in arid environments by storing water in its succulent pads and minimizing surface area to reduce transpiration.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, nesting material
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: xeriscaping, rock gardens, container gardening

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 3/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 9/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 1/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: No, it prefers very dry conditions and will rot if kept wet.
Can I grow it in a pot?: Yes, it does well in containers with excellent drainage and a gritty cactus mix.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Opuntia refers to the ancient Greek city of Opus, while the species name basilaris refers to the pads growing from the base.

Good to know

It is commonly called the beavertail cactus because the pads resemble a beaver's tail.
The pads are technically modified stems, not leaves.
It thrives in harsh desert conditions where other plants struggle.
The magenta flowers are quite showy and attract many pollinators.

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.