Nopales (Opuntia spp. – Prickly Pear Cactus)

Nopales are the edible pads of the prickly pear cactus, a succulent with flattened, paddle-shaped stems (cladodes) that may be green to bluish-green and covered in spines or glochids. The plant produces colorful flowers in yellow, orange, or red, followed by oval fruits called tunas that range in color from green to deep purple. Both the pads and fruits are consumed in culinary traditions, particularly in Mexican cuisine.

Grow Zone: USDA Zones 8–11.

Height and Width: Depending on the species, prickly pear cacti can range from 3–6 feet tall and wide for smaller varieties, to over 12–15 feet tall for larger tree-like forms.

Uses: Widely grown as a food crop for both its pads (nopales) and fruits (tunas). Also used ornamentally in xeriscaping, as living fences, or erosion control. Provides habitat for wildlife and is valued in traditional medicine.

Native Range: Native to Mexico and the arid regions of North and South America.

Sun Requirements: Requires full sun for healthy growth and fruit production.

Water Requirements: Very drought-tolerant. Prefers dry, well-draining soil and should be watered sparingly. Occasional deep watering during prolonged dry periods promotes fruit production, but overwatering can cause rot.

---SHIPPING NOTICE PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS!---

 We WILL NOT refund the purchase of or the shipping cost of live plants purchased with the intent to be shipped to states that do not authorize importing live plants or to states with restrictions! Purchases to these states will be held for 30 days for pick-up at our Slidell, Louisiana store and the shipping cost associated with these purchases will be held for the care of the plant while waiting to be picked up. All sales are final. If the plant(s) purchased are not picked up within 30 days from the date of order, these items will be returned to our sales inventory and you WILL NOT be refunded. Thank you for understanding these policies.

Due to regulations, certain states have restrictions on importing plants. Please review the list below to ensure you're not attempting to order any restricted plants in your area.

**Important Note:** We do not ship any plants outside the U.S.

State-Specific Restrictions - We ARE NOT responsible for any plant(s) that are not listed in these restrictions. Purchaser bears all responsibility for making sure the plant(s) they desire to purchase are not banned from being imported to the shipping state:

Arizona: Juglans spp.  

California: Castanea spp., Juglans spp., Pinus spp., Quercus spp.  

Colorado: Some counties restrict Prunus spp. Please verify your local county regulations.  

Florida: Castanea spp., Cornus spp., Quercus spp., Cornus mas 

Georgia: Vaccinium spp.

Hawaii: Pinus spp. 

Idaho: Humulus lupulus, Mentha spp., Vitis spp.

Indiana: Fragraria spp., Rosa spp. 

Kansas: Juglans spp.

Michigan: Abies spp., Vaccinium spp.

Montana: Pinus spp.

Nevada: Allium spp.

Mentha spp. 

New Jersey: Rosa spp.  

New York: Vitis spp.  

Oregon: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Quercus spp., Sambucus nigra, Ulmus spp., Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.

Texas: Juglans spp. 

Washington: Allium spp., Castanea spp., Corylus spp., Humulus lupulus, Vaccinium spp., Vitis spp.  

Wisconsin: Abies spp., Pinus spp., Picea spp., Mentha spp. 

Additionally, we cannot ship plants in soil medium to the following states: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, HI, ID, KS, MS, MT, ND, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA.