prickly pear cactus without spines Buy Indian Fig Prickly Pear Phoenix, AZ | Opuntia
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prickly pear cactus without spines

prickly pear cactus without spines Buy Indian Fig Prickly Pear Phoenix, AZ | Opuntia

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Description

prickly pear cactus without spines Buy Indian Fig Prickly Pear Phoenix, AZ | OpuntiaPhoenix's Best Edible Cactus Grow Delicious Prickly Pear Fruit in Your Own Yard Indian Fig Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus indica) is the world's most cultivated edible cactus and it thrives in the Phoenix Valley like nowhere else. This impressive species produces large, smooth pads (nopales) prized in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, plus abundant sweet purple or red fruit (tunas) that can be eaten fresh, juiced, or made into jams and syrups. Beyond its

Phoenix's Best Edible Cactus — Grow Delicious Prickly Pear Fruit in Your Own Yard

Indian Fig Prickly Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) is the world's most cultivated edible cactus — and it thrives in the Phoenix Valley like nowhere else. This impressive species produces large, smooth pads (nopales) prized in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine, plus abundant sweet purple or red fruit (tunas) that can be eaten fresh, juiced, or made into jams and syrups. Beyond its culinary value, Indian Fig is a striking landscape plant that grows into a dramatic tree-like form reaching 10–15 feet tall. Extremely drought-tolerant and heat-loving, it handles the worst Phoenix summers without flinching. Whether you're building an edible landscape in Scottsdale, creating a dramatic desert focal point in Gilbert, or growing your own prickly pear fruit in Mesa — Indian Fig Prickly Pear is the ultimate dual-purpose desert plant.

Indian Fig Prickly Pear Plant Details

Attribute Detail
Scientific Name Opuntia ficus-indica
Common Names Indian Fig Prickly Pear, Mission Cactus, Nopal, Tuna Cactus
Mature Height 10–15 feet
Mature Width 8–12 feet
Growth Rate Fast — 3–5 new pads per season in Phoenix
Sun Full sun (6+ hrs). Handles reflected heat from walls and pavement.
Water Very low once established. Highly drought-tolerant.
USDA Zones 8–11 (Phoenix is Zone 9b–10a)
Soil Well-draining. Adapts to Arizona caliche and rocky soils.
Foliage Evergreen — large bright green pads year-round
Fruit Abundant purple-red tunas in late summer; sweet and edible

Indian Fig Prickly Pear Uses in Phoenix Landscapes

Edible Landscape & Food Gardens

Indian Fig is the premier edible cactus for Phoenix home gardens. Both the pads and fruit are harvested and eaten worldwide. Plant one near the kitchen garden for easy access to fresh nopales (pads) and tunas (fruit). A single mature plant produces dozens of fruits per season — enough for the whole family plus neighbors.

Dramatic Architectural Focal Point

At 10–15 feet tall, a mature Indian Fig Prickly Pear creates an unforgettable statement in any landscape. Its tree-like trunk and massive paddle-shaped pads provide bold architectural form that anchors a desert garden. Use it as a standalone specimen in a decomposed granite bed surrounded by boulders and lower accent plants like Agave and Desert Marigold.

Privacy Screen & Living Fence

Plant Indian Fig 6–8 feet apart along a property line for a living desert fence that grows dense and tall. The thick pads create an effective visual and physical barrier. For a 30-foot fence line, plant 4–5 plants. Combine with other large desert plants for a layered, natural-looking screen.

Xeriscaping & Water-Wise Landscapes

Indian Fig is a top pick for Tempe, Chandler, and Peoria homeowners wanting dramatic scale without high water bills. Once established, it needs almost no supplemental irrigation. Its bold form pairs well with other drought-tolerant plants for a landscape that looks lush year-round on minimal water.

Best Time to Plant Indian Fig Prickly Pear in Phoenix

Fall (October–November) is ideal — warm soil promotes fast root growth while cooler air reduces transplant stress. Indian Fig gets 6–8 months of establishment before its first Phoenix summer. Spring (February–April) is the second-best window. Avoid summer planting for best results.

How to Plant Indian Fig Prickly Pear

  1. Dig wide, not deep — 2–3x the root ball width, same depth as the container.
  2. Check for caliche — break through any hardpan layer to ensure drainage.
  3. Backfill with native soil — a light 20% compost blend is fine for Indian Fig.
  4. Spacing — 6–8 feet apart for a hedge; 10+ feet for individual specimens.
  5. Water basin — build a 4–5 inch ring around the plant to direct water to roots.
  6. Mulch — 2–3 inches of gravel or decomposed granite around the base.

Watering Indian Fig Prickly Pear in Phoenix

First Year Watering Schedule

  • Weeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow
  • Month 1–3: Every 5–7 days
  • Month 3–6: Every 7–10 days (every 5 days in peak summer)
  • After Year 1: Every 10–14 days in summer; monthly in winter

Drip Irrigation

Place two 2-GPH emitters 24–36 inches from the trunk on opposite sides. Established Indian Fig is very drought-tolerant but will produce more fruit with occasional deep watering during the summer fruiting season.

Can you eat Indian Fig Prickly Pear fruit?
Absolutely. The purple-red tunas are sweet and delicious eaten fresh, juiced, or made into jams, syrups, and candy. The young pads (nopales) can be grilled, sauteed, or added to salads and are a staple in Mexican cuisine.

How fast does Indian Fig grow in Phoenix?
Very fast. Expect 3–5 new pads per growing season. A 5-gallon plant can reach 6–8 feet tall in just 3–4 years in Phoenix conditions with good care.

How big does Indian Fig Prickly Pear get?
Indian Fig is one of the largest prickly pear species. In Phoenix, it commonly reaches 10–15 feet tall and 8–12 feet wide, developing a tree-like trunk over time.

Does Indian Fig handle Phoenix summer heat?
Yes. Indian Fig is native to hot, arid climates and thrives in full sun, reflected heat, and 115°F+ temperatures. No shade protection needed.

Is Indian Fig Prickly Pear the same as Nopal?
Yes. "Nopal" is the Spanish name for the edible prickly pear cactus, and Opuntia ficus-indica is the most commonly cultivated species for food production worldwide.

You May Also Like

  • Spineless Prickly Pear — Another nearly thornless variety; great for pool areas and high-traffic spots.
  • Giant Prickly Pear — Massive native prickly pear for bold landscape statements.
  • Engelmann's Prickly Pear — Classic Arizona native with yellow blooms and wildlife value.
  • Purple Prickly Pear — Vibrant purple pads for dramatic color contrast in desert gardens.
  • Beavertail Prickly Pear — Low-growing native with stunning magenta spring blooms.

How Many Indian Fig Prickly Pear Do I Need?

This is a fast, tree-form prickly pear that reaches 8 to 12 feet wide, so for a living fence or screen space plants about 7 feet on center. As a single edible specimen, give it 10 feet of clearance and keep the spiny pads at least 6 feet back from walkways, pools, and play areas.

Run length Plants needed (7 ft centers)
14 ft 3 plants
21 ft 4 plants
30 ft fence line 5 plants
42 ft 7 plants

Indian Fig Prickly Pear Season-by-Season in Phoenix

  • Spring (Feb to Apr): New pad growth flushes and yellow to orange flowers open along the pad edges, drawing bees. Strong second window to plant before the heat.
  • Summer (May to Sep): Loves full sun and reflected heat with no shade needed, even past 115°F. Tunas color up and ripen through late summer; the monsoon and an occasional deep soak boost fruit size and yield.
  • Fall (Oct to Nov): Prime planting season and main harvest window for sweet purple-red tunas. Warm soil and cool air give 6 to 8 months of root establishment before next summer.
  • Winter (Dec to Jan): Evergreen pads hold through winter. One of the more cold-hardy prickly pears, taking brief dips to around 15°F, though tender young pads can show edge damage on a hard freeze.

At a Glance

✔ Heat-Loving (Reflected-Heat Tolerant)   ✔ Drought-Tolerant   ✔ Edible   ✔ Pollinator-Friendly   ✔ Evergreen   ✔ Low-Maintenance   ✔ Fire-Wise   ✔ Cold-Hardy to 15°F

Plant It With

Is Indian Fig Prickly Pear Right for Your Yard?

It thrives in full sun and reflected heat, fast-draining native or caliche soil, and an open spot with room to reach 10 to 15 feet tall, making it ideal for edible landscapes, bold focal points, and living fences. It is hardy to about 15°F and needs almost no water once established. Not a fit if you want a low-litter, spine-free planting near a pool, patio, or busy path, since the pads carry sharp spines and fine glochids and the plant gets large.

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SKU: 3223280911

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Sir Keith
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
This is the one you want...
Size: 2' x 6' (Natural), Color: Natural (Yellow Undertones), Size: 2' x 6' (Natural), Color: Natural (Yellow Undertones)
I bought a ‘Genuine Sheepskin Rug Double Pelt Natural White Fur 2x6’ from Amazon in 2011 for $112.49, and recently decided to recommission it in my new living room. It looked so nice that I decided to add a second rug, and was pleased to find what Amazon claimed to be the same rug still available for only $83.78. Now I’m not one of those silly folks who expects the color and/or size of a natural product like a sheepskin rug to be perfectly predictable, and my living room is large enough that I didn’t need the two rugs to match perfectly, but when the new rug arrived, I couldn’t have been more disappointed. It was about 40% smaller than my older rug, was way, way off from anything that could be called white, and looked cheap, old, and tattered. I tried to comb it out a bit to see if I could make it look presentable, but it was a lost cause. Amazon to the rescue. I returned the rug to Amazon for a full refund the next morning, and the transaction couldn’t have been simpler. And I immediately ordered the ‘Genuine Sheepskin Rug Double Pelt Natural White Fur 2x6’ shown on this page from Super Area Rugs for $119.00. What a difference! These rugs are large, plush, and super soft. The quality of these rugs is obvious, much, much nicer that either my old sheepskin rug or the ‘bargain’ rug I returned to Amazon. I was so impressed with the quality of this rug that I immediately ordered a second, which arrived this morning (it matches the other rug perfectly). My older sheepskin has been reassigned to another room because, well, it’s not in the same league as my two new rugs, which look terrific together. As is so often the case, you get what you pay for. So if you’re looking for a top quality sheepskin rug, this is the one you want.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2015
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Jay K
Boise, US
★★★★★ 4
Very nice fleeces
This is a clean, soft, well groomed fleece intended for use on a 6 foot long sofa, so bought 2. They moved too much as a result of shifting bodies on the leather couch, so will get a longer version, sewn bottom to bottom, and used each of these fleeces on both armrests, instead.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2025
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Shawn B.
West Palm Beach, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent Product!!! Will purchase again!
Size: 2' x 3' (Natural), Color: Wolf Tipped
Instead of ordering a cover for reclining loveseats, I chose to drape one of these over the headrest on either end of our loveseat. Not only do they protect the leather, they also help to elevate our decor. The rugs were received in a very timely manner. They are super soft, & warming as we move into the winter months. We've had family & friends comment on how great they look. 2 of them have already ordered, & added them to their sofa/loveseat/recliner decor. Have an issue of them slipping, add some velcro in between the crook of the cushion & the back of the furniture piece. It doesn't show & will help to keep the rug in place; if your busy body.!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2025
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ChillyNilly
Carnegie, US
★★★★★ 5
Perfect for sensory sensitive kids and for the pure beauty of it
Size: 2' x 6' (Natural), Color: Natural (Yellow Undertones), Size: 2' x 6' (Natural), Color: Natural (Yellow Undertones)
After speaking over the phone with the seller, I was confident in this purchase for my SPD son. They do not use harsh chemicals or dyes in the process. It is from New Zealand and the only use in Vietnam is for shipping. My son hasn't been diagnosed yet for Autism but he is in the process. He is super sensitive to all things sensory and Amazon feedback isn't the place to give specific details on his condition but I will write that when he fist touched it- which was willingly- he smiled and asked to sleep on it. When he laid down on it and I covered him- he was calm and smiling. In the pic I provided he is calm and holding his door (his obsession is doors and windows). He even set his door down to hold the fur. For other mommies and papas with spd/autistic kids you know that willingly touching a new fabric and setting down an obsessive item is huge and super encouraging! I am so grateful to have such a quality item that is affordable for my special needs son. His older sister received one as well as is now pretending to be a sheep. Fun for everyone! The ONLY negative is that the brand/info sticker on the pelt was a pain to get off and pulled some of the felt - not damaging it but blemishing the unity -but if the skin is down it will not be noticeable. A super fun detail is that all of the fur is combed out but there were a few strands that were wavy and had a slight curl- I LOVED that. There was no odor at all which is great! I expected an animal smell which is better than chlorine or dioxin which is what competitors use in their process. There is no noticeable seam in the middle on the top where the two pelts are gathered. I am soooo satisfied!
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Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2016
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Sreitter1
Boise, US
★★★★★ 5
Exactly as described and what I needed.
Size: 2' x 6' (Natural), Color: Wolf Tipped
I have a bad back along with other medical problems. I bought this for padding in my wheelchair. Very thick, soft, flexible, everything I needed. No smell and very little shedding even initially. Arrived quickly and well packaged.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2026

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