Opuntia cochenillifera - Variegated Prickly Pear Cactus
Opuntia cochenillifera - Variegated Prickly Pear Cactus - 3.5" Nursery Pot is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
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Description
Description
A Bold, Colorful Statement for Your Space!
Add a touch of desert beauty to your home or garden with the Variegated Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia monacantha ‘Variegata’). Featuring striking paddle-shaped pads splashed with green, cream, and hints of pink or red, this low-maintenance, high-impact plant is perfect for indoor and outdoor settings. With its unique variegation and drought-tolerant nature, this cactus is ideal for both beginner plant parents and seasoned collectors.
Plant Profile
- Botanical Name: Opuntia monacantha ‘Variegata’
- Common Name: Variegated Prickly Pear Cactus
- Family: Cactaceae
- Native Range: South America (Argentina & Brazil)
- Growth Habit: Upright, branching pads
- Mature Size: Can reach 3-6 feet tall with time
Variegated Prickly Pear Care Guide
✔ Light: Thrives in full sun—place near a bright window indoors or outdoors in direct sunlight.
✔ Water: Allow soil to fully dry between waterings; infrequent watering is best to prevent rot.
✔ Humidity: Prefers dry conditions; no misting needed.
✔ Temperature: Keep above 50°F (10°C)—heat-tolerant but sensitive to frost.
✔ Soil: Well-draining cactus/succulent mix; sandy or gritty soil works best.
✔ Feeding: Use a cactus fertilizer during spring and summer for healthy growth.
✔ Pruning: Minimal pruning—just remove any damaged or dead pads as needed.
What’s Special About the Variegated Prickly Pear?
🌵 Striking Variegation: Each pad features a one-of-a-kind mix of cream, green, and pink hues.
🌵 Low-Maintenance: Thrives on neglect, making it an easy-care plant for busy individuals.
🌵 Unique Growth Habit: Over time, it develops an upright, sculptural form, perfect for statement displays.
🌵 Drought-Resistant: Stores water in its thick pads, allowing it to withstand dry conditions effortlessly.
Fun Fact: A Natural Survivalist!
The Variegated Prickly Pear isn’t just beautiful—it’s an adaptation expert! Its thick, fleshy pads store water for survival in arid conditions, while its spines reduce moisture loss and deter herbivores.
A Bit of History: From South America to Your Home
Native to Argentina and Brazil, this variegated beauty is a standout member of the Prickly Pear family, a genus historically valued for its edible fruit, medicinal properties, and ornamental appeal. Unlike its edible cousins, this variety is prized purely for its unique coloration and striking aesthetic.
Why You’ll Love It
✔ Perfect for Indoor & Outdoor Spaces
✔ Hardy & Drought-Tolerant
✔ A Stunning, Low-Maintenance Houseplant
✔ Rare & Collectible – A True Conversation Starter!
Upgrade your plant collection with the Variegated Prickly Pear Cactus today and bring a touch of the desert into your home with minimal effort and maximum impact! 🌿
Keep Your Plants Cozy with Heat Packs
Frequently Asked Questions
Shipping
How do you ship your plants?
How do you ship your plants?
We carefully package each plant with love by hand right from our shop in Brooklyn. Extra steps are taken to ensure that every leaf arrives in pristine shape by using polyfill and encapsulating the plant in a protective paper sleeve. The soil is also hydrated before shipping so that the plant has plenty of water for it's travel to your doorstep. We offer several shipping speeds, so please choose the one that you feel comfortable with depending on your location.
Will my plant look like the one on the website?
Will my plant look like the one on the website?
Awesome question, we're glad you asked. Given the nature of our plant shop, we're constantly moving plants in and out of the shop, making it difficult and borderline impossible to keep an exact picture of each plant. In addition to the constantly rotating crop, we often grow in batches of 6, 12, or sometimes more! With this quantity we are unable to take a photo of each and every plant. The photos that we attach to each product listing is going to be of a plant that represents the average size and fullness of that set of plants. Some may be slightly larger or smaller, but in general, similar.
Do you include heat packs with your plants?
Do you include heat packs with your plants?
We offer Heat Packs for sale separately from the plants in 40, 60 and 72 hour increments. Please add a heat pack or two to your order if you live in an area where your order may be affected during transit by cold temperatures. We are not responsible for orders that are placed and damage is incurred to the plant if a heat pack is not purchased.
Which heat pack should I choose?
Which heat pack should I choose?
Heat packs come in three different increments, so please choose the appropriate hour increment depending on the speed of shipping that you choose during checkout. For example, if you choose a cheaper shipping option that will take longer, please select the 72 hour heat pack. If you've chosen a shorter method of shipping, the 40 or 60 hour increment would work! We like to encourage our customers to always get more than you need, just to be on the safe side!
How long will it take to receive my order?
How long will it take to receive my order?
Standard shipping normally takes 3-5 days. Next day shipping is available on all domestic orders (for an additional charge). International shipping times depend on the products and destination (estimated at checkout).
Do you offer express shipping?
Do you offer express shipping?
All orders are shipped 5-8 business days from the date it is placed. Please note that as a small plant shop, we do everything in our power to get orders out as fast as we can in the order that they come in. If you have circumstances that require expedited fulfillment, please connect with you and we can potentially offer options.
What countries do you ship to?
What countries do you ship to?
We ship our selection of rare, healthy, and unique houseplants all across the United States including California. At this time, due to customs and agricultural limitations, we are unable to ship plants internationally from the United States.
Returns and Refunds
How do I return a product?
How do I return a product?
Items must be returned within 30 days after receiving your order. Items must be returned in the same condition in which they were received, be unworn/unused, have any tags still attached, and include all the original packaging.
How long will it take to receive my refund?
How long will it take to receive my refund?
Refunds are processed within 7 days from when we receive the item(s).
What should I do if my plant arrives in poor shape?
What should I do if my plant arrives in poor shape?
In the extremely unlikely event that your plant arrives in less than perfect condition, you're covered by our 15-day plant health guarantee. Simply snap a photo of your plant and send it over to us. We'll happily take a peek and offer suggestions on how to perk it back up, offer a store credit, or send a replacement. We like to make it as easy as possible!
Can I return or exchange a plant?
Can I return or exchange a plant?
At this time, we do not accept returns on plants. In extreme circumstances where a return of a plant is necessary, the customer is responsible for the return shipping and a refund will only be issued if the plant arrives back to us in living condition.