Opuntia cochenillifera - Variegated Prickly Pear Cactus

Ed's Plant Shop

Size
$19.99
Taxes, discounts and shipping calculated at checkout.

Description

Meet the Variegated Prickly Pear: A Colorful, Spiky Statement for Your Home or Garden!

Want to add a splash of color and texture to your space? Enter the Variegated Prickly Pear! With its stunning mix of green and cream variegation and unique paddle-shaped pads, this eye-catching cactus is perfect for indoor or outdoor décor. Easy to care for and visually striking, it’s the perfect choice for cactus lovers who want something truly out of the ordinary.

Variegated Prickly Pear Profile

Botanical Name: Opuntia monacantha ‘Variegata’
Common Name: Variegated Prickly Pear Cactus
Family: Cactaceae
Native Range: South America

How to Care for Variegated Prickly Pear

Light: Loves full, bright sunlight—place it in a sunny window or outdoors in direct sunlight.
Water: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. This cactus prefers infrequent watering, so less is definitely more!
Humidity: Thrives in dry environments—no need for misting or high humidity.
Temperature: Prefers temperatures above 50°F (10°C). It can tolerate heat but should be protected from frost.
Pruning: No regular pruning is required—just remove any damaged or dead pads.
Feeding: Feed with a cactus-specific fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer) for optimal growth.

 

What Will You Unbox? A Striking, Colorful Desert Beauty!

The Variegated Prickly Pear is no ordinary cactus. With its paddle-like pads splashed in green, cream, and sometimes even shades of pink or red, it’s a conversation starter in any setting. Whether you're displaying it in a sleek indoor planter or adding a statement piece to your succulent garden, this cactus delivers vibrant desert vibes with minimal care.

Easy Care for Your Variegated Prickly Pear

Looking for a low-maintenance plant? You’re in luck! The Variegated Prickly Pear thrives on neglect and only needs occasional watering. It’s a great choice for busy plant parents or anyone who wants to enjoy a touch of the desert without the fuss.

Fun Fact About the Variegated Prickly Pear: It’s a Survival Expert!

Did you know that the Variegated Prickly Pear can store water in its thick, fleshy pads? This allows it to survive in arid conditions where water is scarce. Plus, its spines aren’t just for looks—they also help the plant reduce water loss by providing shade and protection from herbivores!

History of the Variegated Prickly Pear

The Variegated Prickly Pear hails from the sunny, dry regions of South America, particularly Argentina and Brazil. Its adaptability to harsh conditions made it a favorite among desert landscapers and cactus collectors. While its cousin, the regular Prickly Pear, has been used for food and medicine by Indigenous peoples for centuries, the variegated version is prized more for its ornamental value due to its striking color patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Shipping

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

Refunds are processed within 7 days from when we receive the item(s).

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?

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.