How often should I water it?

Water only when the soil has dried out completely.

Are the glochids dangerous?

They are not poisonous, but they are very painful and cause skin irritation.

Plant guide

Bunny Ears Cactus.

Opuntia microdasys

Pronounced oh-PUN-tee-uh my-kro-DAY-sis

Also known as Angel's-wings, Bunny Ears Cactus, Cow-Blinder, Dwarf Cactus, Garden-Cactus, Teddy Bear Cactus, Yellow Bunny Ears, Yellow Bunny-Ears

Bunny Ears Cactus — Photo by Gianni Del Bufalo bygdb (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This charming cactus is famous for its flat, pad-like stems that look just like bunny ears. It is a desert native that loves soaking up the sun. You will find it is a very forgiving plant if you keep it dry.

Another photo of Bunny Ears Cactus — Photo by Andrew Hankey (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 2 to 3 feet
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Always use a well-draining cactus mix to prevent root rot. Be very careful when handling, as the tiny bristles detach easily and stick to skin. If the pads start to look shriveled, it is likely asking for a drink.

Watering: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to keep the roots healthy.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced cactus fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Only prune if you need to remove damaged pads or control the size.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its current container.
Soil: Sandy, well-draining cactus mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -7 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 hole.
The plant has become top-heavy.
Soil no longer drains well.

Safety

People: The plant is non-toxic, but the glochids cause significant skin and mucosal irritation.
Pets: The tiny, hair-like glochids can cause significant irritation to the skin and mouth of pets if touched or ingested.
Children: Keep this plant well out of reach of children as the glochids are painful and difficult to remove from skin.
Contact allergens: The tiny barbed glochids cause intense itching and dermatitis upon contact with skin.
Airborne allergens: None.
Edibility: The glochids are extremely irritating to the throat and digestive tract if ingested.

How to identify it

Flat, circular green pads
Clusters of golden glochids
Lack of large spines
Small yellow flowers in summer

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.9m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, 3 to 5cm
Fruit: red, purple, Late summer

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
EdemaUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant dry and in a cool location during winter to encourage dormancy. Avoid freezing temperatures if possible.
In containers: It grows very well in pots, provided the container has excellent drainage and is at least 15 cm wide.

Pad Cuttings

1. Use gloves to carefully remove a healthy pad.
2. Let the cut end callous for a few days in a dry spot.
3. Plant the calloused end into well-draining cactus soil.
4. Wait a week before watering lightly.

Group with other succulents that require minimal water to prevent accidental overwatering.

Grows well with

Agave — They share similar water and light requirements.
Aloe — They thrive in the same arid, well-draining conditions.

Similar species

Prickly Pear — It is a larger relative with edible fruit.

Science

Family: Cactaceae
Genus: Opuntia
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Northern and central Mexico.
Conservation: Not currently threatened in the wild.

It survives in arid desert environments by storing water in its succulent pads.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: ornamental, container plant, desert garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 1/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water only when the soil has dried out completely.
Are the glochids dangerous?: They are not poisonous, but they are very painful and cause skin irritation.

Where the name comes from

Opuntia is named after an ancient Greek city, while microdasys refers to the small, hairy appearance of the glochids.

Good to know

It is commonly called the bunny ears cactus due to its pad shape.
The glochids are actually modified leaves.
It thrives in very bright, direct sunlight.
It is native to the arid regions of northern Mexico.

Also in

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