Is Brittle Prickly Pear safe for pets?

Yes, Brittle Prickly Pear (Opuntia Fragilis) is considered safe for cats and dogs.

Is Brittle Prickly Pear easy to care for?

Brittle Prickly Pear has a easy care difficulty rating. It requires low watering and full_sun or partial_shade light.

Can Brittle Prickly Pear grow indoors?

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

Brittle Prickly Pear (Opuntia Fragilis) is a perennial cactus in the Cactaceae family with easy care difficulty. It requires low watering and full sun or partial shade light in USDA hardiness zones 4-10. This plant is safe for cats and dogs.

A small, hardy cactus species known for its fragile, easily detachable pads and wide distribution across North America.

Last updated: February 2026

Brittle Prickly Pear

Opuntia Fragilis

A small, hardy cactus species known for its fragile, easily detachable pads and wide distribution across North America.

Quick Facts

Type

cactus

Lifecycle

perennial

Care Difficulty

Easy

Water Needs

Low

Light

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Hardiness Zones

4-10

Safety

🐕

Pet Safe

⚠️

Not Child Safe

✅

Non-Toxic

Growing Conditions

Soil Types:sandy, rocky, well-drained loamy

Indoor:No

Outdoor:Yes

Garden Use:groundcover, erosion control, ornamental

Care Calendar

Monthly care tasks for Brittle 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

View leaf details, flowers, seeds & more in the app

Taxonomy

Family:Cactaceae

Genus:Opuntia