Succulents – Baby Rita Prickly Pear

Baby Rita Prickly Pear

Botanical name: opuntia x basilaris ‘baby rita’ 

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: grows in clumps of up to 8 inches tall and 24 inches wide 

Hardy zone: zones 7-11 

Foliage color: green/blue/gray

Flower color: pink/purple 

Bloom time: spring 

Growth rate: reaches fully mature size in 1-3 growing seasons 

Pruning instructions: remove damaged growth as needed to promote new growth

Propagation methods: propagate with cuttings 

Landscape use: succulent garden, rock garden, container plant 

Special features: deer resistant, rabbit resistant, drought tolerant, pollution tolerant

Light needs: 6 hours of sun per day 

Watering instructions: allow soil to fully dry out between watering sessions 

Fertilizing instructions : optional succulent and cactus food application once a year in the early spring 

Best time to plant: spring, summer 

Best type of soil: sand, loam 

Companion plants: agave, yucca, marigold, sedum, lantana 

Toxicity level: causes pain when coming in contact with skin but otherwise non-toxic for humans and pets 

Invasive species: no