Santa Rita Prickly Pear Cactus

Santa rita prickly pear is a popular cactus from our neighboring desert regions.

Unlike many plants that have to bloom to add some color to the landscape, Santa rita provides color all year round with its unusual purple-tinted cactus pads.

And since it’s from the Southwestern desert, it handles heat and drought quite well, while even tolerating temperatures down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Botanical name: Opuntia santarita

Other names: Opuntia santa-rita, Opuntia violacea, purple paddle cactus, purple prickly pear, Santa rita cactus

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Santa Rita prickly pear is part of the opuntia family, so it grows round or oval segmented cactus pads. It grows into a shrubby clump that reaches about 5 feet in height and 7 feet in width.

The 0.5-1 foot long prickly pear pads grow from other pads.

Santa Rita is best known for its eye-catching colorful pads, which can take on blue-green, purple, and red hues depending on the climate and growing conditions.

Some cactus pads have 1-2 inch long spines, and some don’t. All pads have numerous tiny spines called glochids.

White or yellow flowers when in bloom, followed by round, dark-colored fruits.

Santa Rita prickly pear is a cold, hardy desert plant.

Adds color to the garden year-round with its purple, pink, and blue cactus pads.

The purple and red hues indicate stress, usually from low or high temperatures or drought. Although the colors are beautiful, the stress can also attract more pests, especially the cochineal scale. The scale infestation looks like cotton.

Provides reliable blooms every year. Attracts pollinators.

Detach any prickly pear pads to control the spread and/or to propagate the cactus. Handle with care. Small glochids hook onto things that come into contact with them.

Santa rita cactus is from the desert regions of the Southwest in USA and from Northern Mexico.

Soil: Loose, well-draining soil that is lightly fertile.

Temperature: Can withstand temperatures down to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Water: Occasional, deep watering. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Either use a moisture meter or stick your finger through the soil to gauge the moisture level. It’s better to err on the side of underwatering than overwatering.

Sun: Full sun. Partial shade is ok in the Palm Springs region.

Pests: Santa rita is susceptible to cochineal scale. To remove them, spray with a garden hose when the infestation is light. For more significant infestations, remove the most affected pads. Then, use insecticidal soap on the remaining pads.

Whenever using any pesticide, be aware that it can damage the plant if the temperatures are in the 80s or above.

Fungal diseases are caused by root rot, dry rot, and harsh weather conditions.

Signs of overwatering: Drooping, squishy texture (especially an the bottom of the cactus)

Signs of too little water: Shriveling, drying skin

Signs of too much sun: Burning, scarring

Signs of too little sun: Etiolation, discoloring

Remove Santa rita cactus pads with caution since it has sharp spines and glochids. We recommend using tongs and thick fabric or newspaper.

Allow the pads to dry for a few days, and then plant into well-draining soil.

How much does Santa Rita Prickly Pear Cactus cost?

At our nursery, Santa Rita prickly pear cactus costs $15 for a 1-gallon container, $45 for a 5-gallon container, and $120 for a 15-gallon container.

Prices are subject to change. Please get in touch with us for the most up-to-date pricing information. We may have larger sizes available. We provide installation services locally at a separate cost.

Is Santa rita prickly pear edible?

Yes, the fruits of the Santa Rita cactus are edible.

Why is my Santa rita prickly pear green?

It means that it is happy! The blue, purple, and red tints that Santa Rita is known for indicate stress from temperature or water levels.