Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia Humifusa) seeds

$8.00 $9.00

Our eastern prickly pear cactus seeds are non-treated, non-GMO and locally sourced from mature plants organically grown out in Providence, RI.

20 seed minimum per package.

Perennial

Native, Pollinator-friendly, deer resistant, hardy, cold and drought tolerant, low maintenance once established.

Their back story:

This species of cactus has a wide native range across North America . Its populations at the northern edge of its range, particularly in the northeastern U.S. and Canada, are often isolated and under threat. In MA and RI it is listed as endangered, in CT a species of concern (i.e. uncommon and requires conservation attention) and in NY it’s considered vulnerable. This has inspired Josie’s oldest brother, Collin, to share this plant (and its seeds) with as many people as possible with the hope of eventually rebuilding populations in their natural habitat.

Ideal conditions:

Full sun, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate partial shade, but may not flower as well.
Sandy or gravelly soil is ideal. The cactus can also grow in clay soil as long as the drainage is excellent.
This plant is extremely drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. In most climates, natural rainfall is sufficient. If there's a prolonged drought, you can water it every 2 - 4 weeks. During winter, it's important to reduce watering as the plant goes into dormancy.
This is one of the most cold-tolerant cacti. It can survive freezing temperatures by dehydrating its pads in the winter, which will rehydrate and plump up in the spring.

Hardiness USDA zones: 4 through 9

Blooms: typically from late spring to early summer, generally between May and July.

Our eastern prickly pear cactus seeds are non-treated, non-GMO and locally sourced from mature plants organically grown out in Providence, RI.

20 seed minimum per package.

Perennial

Native, Pollinator-friendly, deer resistant, hardy, cold and drought tolerant, low maintenance once established.

Their back story:

Ideal conditions:

Full sun, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. It can tolerate partial shade, but may not flower as well.
Sandy or gravelly soil is ideal. The cactus can also grow in clay soil as long as the drainage is excellent.
This plant is extremely drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering. In most climates, natural rainfall is sufficient. If there's a prolonged drought, you can water it every 2 - 4 weeks. During winter, it's important to reduce watering as the plant goes into dormancy.
This is one of the most cold-tolerant cacti. It can survive freezing temperatures by dehydrating its pads in the winter, which will rehydrate and plump up in the spring.

Hardiness USDA zones: 4 through 9

Blooms: typically from late spring to early summer, generally between May and July.

Quantity:

Growing tips: Seed Preparation: The seeds have already been cold stratified. They have a very hard outer coating that can inhibit germination, therefore to further increase germination rates it’s recommended to "scarify" the seeds by gently rubbing them with sandpaper or nicking them with a nail clipper to help moisture penetrate.

Germination can be slow, taking anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Seedlings also grow very slowly, and it may take a few years to get a substantial plant.

Step aside, succulents. Don't let the prickly personality fool you. the eastern prickly pear cactus isn’t your average desert dweller. This plant of contradictions is a true romantic at heart with a condo on the beach. Its flowers are like a whirlwind summer fling, blooming for months even though each individual flower only lasts a single day. In winter its antioxidant-rich pads shrivel up, only to rehydrate and plump back up when the sun returns.

Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia Humifusa) seeds

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