Bunny Ears Cactus.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Succulent Cacti

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Mature size

Up to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide

Growth rate

medium

Care

Provide very bright light, preferably direct sun, and water sparingly only when the soil is completely dry. Use a well-draining cactus or succulent mix and a pot with drainage holes. Protect your hands from glochids when handling.

Soil

Sandy, gritty, well-draining cactus mix

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)

Safety

People

Glochids can cause skin irritation and may need to be removed with tweezers or tape; seek medical attention if irritation persists or if ingested.

Pets

Can cause irritation to pets if ingested or if glochids embed in skin or mouth.

Edibility

The fruit of Opuntia species, known as prickly pears or tunas, are edible after careful removal of glochids and spines, but this species is primarily ornamental and not typically cultivated for food.

How to identify it

• Segmented, pad-like stems
• Covered in dense glochid clusters
• Glochids are barbed and numerous
• No prominent spines
• Yellow to white glochids
• Can produce flowers near stem tips

Grows well with

• Aloe Vera — Both succulents thrive in bright light and require infrequent watering, making them compatible companions in a sunny spot.
• Echeveria — These rosette-forming succulents prefer similar well-draining soil and bright light conditions.
• Haworthia — Haworthias can tolerate slightly less intense light than Opuntia, so they can be grouped if the Opuntia is not in harsh, direct afternoon sun.

Keep away from

• Overwatering — Excessive moisture can lead to root rot, which is fatal for most cacti.
• Mealybugs — These common pests can infest cacti, weakening the plant and leaving sticky residue.
• Excessive Shade — Lack of sufficient light will cause the cactus to become etiolated and weak.

Similar species

• Prickly Pear Cactus — Many Opuntia species share similar paddle-like segments, though spine and glochid characteristics can vary.
• Engelmann's Prickly Pear — This species also has pads but typically features more prominent, longer spines in addition to glochids.
• Spineless Prickly Pear — This cultivar is similar in pad shape but is specifically bred to have fewer and shorter spines, making it easier to handle.

Science

Family

Cactaceae

Genus

Opuntia

Order

Caryophyllales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Good to know

• The 'spines' on Opuntia microdasys are actually modified leaves called glochids; they are tiny, barbed, and easily detach, making them quite irritating if touched.