Old Man Prickly Pear (Opuntia Senilis) is a perennial cactus in the Cactaceae family with easy care difficulty. It requires low watering and full sun light in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. This plant is toxic to cats and dogs — keep it out of reach of pets.

Opuntia senilis is a rare, shrubby cactus species known for its distinctive appearance and adaptation to arid environments.

Old Man Prickly Pear

Old Man Prickly Pear

Opuntia Senilis

Opuntia senilis is a rare, shrubby cactus species known for its distinctive appearance and adaptation to arid environments.

Quick Facts

Type
cactus
Lifecycle
perennial
Care Difficulty
Easy
Water Needs
Low
Light
Full Sun
Hardiness Zones
9-11

Safety

⚠️
Not Pet Safe
⚠️
Not Child Safe
Non-Toxic

Growing Conditions

Soil Types:sandy, gravelly, rocky
Indoor:No
Outdoor:Yes
Garden Use:specimen, erosion control

Care Calendar

Monthly care tasks for Old Man 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

Old Man Prickly Pear
Old Man Prickly Pear detail

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Taxonomy

Family:Cactaceae
Genus:Opuntia