Does Prickly Pear Grow in Florida?

Prickly pear cacti are easy to grow, and their leaves can be cut to harvest their delicious fruit. Once established, prickly pear cactuses can survive on rainwater, but they require irrigation for the first two or three weeks. Planting a saguaro cactus near a walkway can be dangerous, but it will grow back if you do.

The plant is native to the southern United States, where it is cultivated as a popular ornamental. The species most commonly found in Florida is called ‘Eastern’ prickly pear. The cactus resembles teardrop-shaped flat pads with red or orange centers. In the 1700s, the prickly pears were harvested for their berries, which were later used for dye. The flowers of prickly pear sagus are a major source of pollen for pollinators, and they are grown on a commercial scale in many parts of the world.

The plant grows to between 18 and 36 inches in height, and its leaves are covered in spines. The leaves are flat and leaf-like, and the prickly pear sagus is a common ornamental specimen in Florida. Its large yellow flowers have a touch of red or pink and spread over the ground. The prickly pear sacus is an ornamental succulent native to the tropics.