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Western prickly-pear (Opuntia mesacantha) Care Guide
Care guide for Western prickly-pear: light, watering, humidity, soil and temperature, based on the species' botanical profile.
📷 Filippo Ceragioli · CC BY 4.0 · GBIF/iNaturalist
✅ Western prickly-pear is generally pet-safe — details.
Care at a glance
LightPlenty of light; some direct sun is tolerated.
WaterWater roughly every 10 days, let the top 2-3 cm of soil dry out between waterings.
HumidityModerate to high humidity (30-60%).
TemperatureTemperate: 12-24 °C (54-75 °F).
SoilWell-draining mix, slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5-7.0).
Growthmoderate growth. Mature height ~0.9 m (3.0 ft).
Origin
Native to: Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland.
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