Santa Rita Prickly Pear - Opuntia Santa-Rita Purple Cactus | CactusWarehouse
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Santa Rita Prickly Pear Opuntia Santa-Rita

  • Hand-picked cactus icon Hand-picked, packed, and shipped on Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays
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$12.95
Pack Size

Want variety instead? Build a Mix & Match pack and combine any of our 2" plants in one box. Packs of 3, 6, 9, or a full 64-plant tray.

A cutting has no roots, while a rooted cactus already has a developed root system

Plant facts

SunlightFull sun
WaterLow water. Only when soil is fully dry
USDA zones8,9,10,11, hardy to about 10F
Mature sizeIn the ground it forms a shrubby clump typically 4-6 ft tall and up to 6-8 ft wide over the years, with a purple blush that deepens in sun, cold, and drought. Much smaller and easily kept compact in a container.
Time to matureModerate grower. Pads root and branch quickly, and an in-ground plant builds into a notable clump within several years. Approximate, may vary.
PetsNon-toxic to pets, Non-toxic to cats, Non-toxic to dogs, Unknown
LivesIndoors or outdoors
Ships asRooted plant, bare root, no pot or soil
What to expect in the box
You will receive one rooted, bare-root Santa Rita Prickly Pear paddle shipped without soil or a pot. After arrival: handle with thick gloves or tongs, as prickly pears carry fine glochid bristles. Unbox promptly and let the plant rest in a shaded, dry spot for 1-2 days. Plant in a sandy, fast-draining mix or a full-sun landscape spot. Wait about a week before the first watering so the roots can settle, then begin a normal soak and dry routine. Pad color varies with season and sun, so your plant may arrive more green or more purple than the photos.

Cacti can look slightly dull after a few days in a dark box. Color returns within a week or two of bright light. If your area drops below 40F, we recommend adding a heat pack to your order, as one is not automatically included.

Opuntia santa-rita, the Santa Rita Prickly Pear, is the famous purple prickly pear of the Southwest. Its round pads shift from blue-gray in summer to rich violet-purple with cold and drought, and in spring the purple pads light up with lemon-yellow flowers. Few landscape cacti offer this much color.

It is tough, fast to establish, and thrives on neglect. Full sun and sharp drainage give the strongest purple color. It slowly builds into a shrubby clump, staying compact in a pot or reaching several feet in the ground in warm climates.

  • Light: Full sun for the best purple color
  • Water: Low. Soak and dry; very drought tolerant once established
  • Hardiness: USDA zones 8 to 11
  • Growth: Moderate, shrubby clump to several feet in the ground

Please note: This is a rooted, bare-root plant shipped without soil or a pot. Pad color varies with season, sun, and stress.

Cold Weather Warning

If your area drops below 40°F during the colder months, we highly recommend adding a heat pack to your order, as we don’t automatically include one. This helps keep your plants safe in transit. 🌡️❄️

👉 [Buy Heat Packs Here]

Product Details

Cactus Care

The Santa Rita Prickly Pear is a set-and-forget landscape cactus. Sun and drainage do most of the work, and a little stress actually improves the purple color.

  • Light: Full sun. More sun means deeper purple pads.
  • Water: Soak and dry. Water only when the soil is fully dry; established in-ground plants need little beyond rainfall.
  • Soil: Sandy, fast-draining mix or a well-drained landscape spot.
  • Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 8-11, one of the cold-hardier purple cacti.
  • Handling: The pads carry tiny glochid bristles that detach easily. Always handle with thick gloves or tongs.

Shipping & Guarantee

At Cactus Warehouse, we take pride in shipping the healthiest, hand-selected cacti straight from our nursery in Fallbrook, CA. All our cacti are hardgrown and carefully checked to ensure you get the best.

  • Schedule: Orders ship on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
  • Delivery Time: Most orders arrive within 3–5 business days once shipped.
  • Rates: Free shipping on orders $99+ (Continental US). Orders under $99 ship for a flat $9.95.
  • Carriers: We ship via UPS and USPS with full tracking

  • Safe Packaging: Each cactus is wrapped in protective kraft paper to reduce movement. During cold weather, you have the option to add heat packs to keep your plants safe.
  • Care Instructions: Every package includes simple, step-by-step care instructions so you know exactly what to do after arrival.
  • 30-Day Happiness Guarantee: If your cactus doesn’t arrive healthy and happy, we’ll make it right. Email us at info@cactuswarehouse.com and we’ll take care of you.

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Plants Picked With Love

Hi, we're Lisa and Takashi! We started Cactus Warehouse because we care about creating a great experience for people like you.

We know how important it is to get a cactus that's healthy and ready to thrive. Thats's why we take the time to choose and pack each plant with care, making sure it arrives in perfect shape.

When you shop with us, you're supporting a small business that truly cares about its customers. Thank you for trusting us to bring something special into your home!