Is Texas Plains Prickly Pear safe for pets?

Yes, Texas Plains Prickly Pear (Opuntia Alta) is considered safe for cats and dogs.

Is Texas Plains Prickly Pear easy to care for?

Texas Plains Prickly Pear has a easy care difficulty rating. It requires drought-tolerant watering and full_sun light.

Can Texas Plains Prickly Pear grow indoors?

Texas Plains Prickly Pear is primarily an outdoor plant and may not thrive indoors without specialized conditions.

Texas Plains Prickly Pear (Opuntia Alta) is a perennial cactus in the Cactaceae family with easy care difficulty. It requires drought-tolerant watering and full sun light in USDA hardiness zones 8-11. This plant is safe for cats and dogs.

Opuntia alta is a large, arborescent prickly pear cactus native to Texas and surrounding areas.

Last updated: February 2026

Texas Plains Prickly Pear

Opuntia Alta

Opuntia alta is a large, arborescent prickly pear cactus native to Texas and surrounding areas.

Quick Facts

Type

cactus

Lifecycle

perennial

Care Difficulty

Easy

Water Needs

drought-tolerant

Light

Full Sun

Hardiness Zones

8-11

Safety

🐕

Pet Safe

⚠️

Not Child Safe

✅

Non-Toxic

Growing Conditions

Soil Types:sandy, rocky, well-drained

Indoor:No

Outdoor:Yes

Garden Use:specimen plant, groundcover, drought-tolerant landscaping

Care Calendar

Monthly care tasks for Texas Plains Prickly Pear

Jan

Prune

Feb

Fertilize

Mar

Repot

Apr

Water+

May

...

Jun

...

Jul

...

Aug

...

Sep

...

Oct

...

Nov

...

Dec

...

Expert Care Tips

Pro tips from botanists and plant experts

Watering Tip

Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 1 inch deep. Water only when the top layer feels dry to prevent overwatering.

Humidity Trick

Group plants together to create...

Growth Hack

Rotate your plant every...

Photo Gallery10+ photos

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Taxonomy

Family:Cactaceae

Genus:Opuntia