Bunny ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys)
Bunny ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys) is a plant of succulent leaves that can grow 50cm – 1.5m tall and up to 10cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Bunny ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys).
This plant is commonly known as bunny ears cactus.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 10-20 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: bunny ears cactus
Scientific name: Opuntia microdasys
Plant type: Cactus / Succulent, Conservatory & Greenhouse
Habit: Bushy
Height: 50cm – 1.5m
Spread: Up to 10cm
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Patio & Container Garden
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Bunny ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys) – Tangopaso, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Cacti and succulent plants are appreciated for their natural charm, mainly for their leaf shapes, but also in some cases for their colorful flowers in spring and summer.
They should be cultivated in areas that mimic the conditions in which they grow in nature, which are usually exposed places with stony and fast-draining soils.
These characteristics make them to be grown in pots.
Other types of Opuntia to consider:
See all Opuntia
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Bunny ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Bunny ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys) is a plant that prefers to grow in loam or sand.
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Opuntia microdasys likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Bunny ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Bunny ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys) – Tangopaso, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
