The Opuntia is not a single plant but rather a very species-rich genus. The Opuntia plant genus includes around 190 species, some of which are very different, most of which are native to America (especially Mexico) and the Caribbean.
Are Opuntias hardy?
Opuntias are available in different degrees of winter hardiness, from not frost hardy to resistant to -20 °C. Protect the plants from constant rain and moisture in winter. For prickly pear cacti, the ideal overwintering temperature is 0 °C to 6 °C, while Opuntia engelmannii can tolerate temperatures down to -20 °C.
Depending on their natural habitat, the different species have different winter hardiness. Some species need cool winter quarters, others just a dry place in the frosty garden. Very few species can tolerate cold, continuous rain, but many opuntias bear edible fruits and the leaves or segments of the plants are also considered food.
How should opuntias be cared for in winter?
The prickly pear cactus is not one of the particularly frost-hardy varieties. It should overwinter in cool quarters, ideally at temperatures between 0°C and 6°C. During this time it is not fertilized and watered very sparingly.
The rabbit ear cactus can also spend the winter outside in a mild area. However, you should then protect its roots from excessive cold by wrapping the planter with an old blanket or frost protection film (€49.00 on Amazon). Brushwood is good protection, especially for the young shoots. In spring, remove the winter protection again. Now is also the ideal time for propagation.
The Opuntia engelmannii is considered to be very well tolerated by frost. At least it can withstand temperatures below -20 °C without damage. This means he can spend the winter in the garden even in a harsh area. It should just be protected from rain. Water it “drop by drop” and only on frost-free days. No more winter care is necessary.
The most important things in brief:
- differently hardy depending on the species
- possibly plant in special soil for hardy cacti
- Protect from moisture in continuous rain
- Overwinter prickly pear at 0 °C to 6 °C
- Opuntia engelmannii hardy to temperatures below – 20 °C
- Opuntia microdasys frost hardy to around -8 °C
- Hybrids partly frost hardy down to – 15 °C or – 20 °C
- water dropwise on frost-free days
Tip
If you are looking for a cactus that can spend the winter outside even in a harsh area, then choose a frost-tolerant Opuntia like the Opuntia engelmannii.
