The spines come off with a simple touch, and are best removed from flesh with tweezers. ![]() Named for its visual appearance, the Bunny Ear Cactus, also called the Polka-Dot Cactus, has the scientific name of Opuntia microdasys. This plant has the appearance of a shrub, and spreads out to cover between 2-5 feet of ground as a mature plant. Other than these steps, bunny ears cactus care is limited, and the plant should reward you with its abundant pads and interesting features for years.The Bunny cacti is native to northern Mexico and desert regions stretching into Arizona. ![]() Wait at least a week after repotting to water the plant. Combat these with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol.īunny ears cactus should be repotted every one to two years. Occasionally, the plant will be beleaguered by pests such as mealybugs and scale insects. During fall and winter, water lightly only every three to four weeks.įertilize the plant every other water period during spring and summer with a diluted houseplant food or cactus formula. Allow the water to drain out of the pot and remove any excess from the saucer. Water the plant when the top one inch (2.5 cm.) of soil is dry. Water can be the death of the plant but it does need consistent moisture during the growing season. These plants are a gardener’s dream for their low maintenance and interesting appearance. They can also grow outdoors but are only hardy in United States Department of Agriculture zones 9 to 11. An unglazed clay pot allows for evaporation of excess moisture, which is a prime killer of these plants. The pad usually roots within a few weeks.īunny ears cactus requires a well-drained container for indoor use. Use a good cactus mix for growing bunny ears cactus, or make your own with 40 percent potting soil, 40 percent sand, and 20 percent peat moss. Allow the end to callus for a few days, then insert into cactus soil. Use thick gloves or newspaper to pick up the pad. Use extreme caution when removing a leaf because the glochids dislodge easily and are very difficult to remove from the skin. How to Grow Bunny Ears CactusĪs with most succulents, you can start new bunny ears plants with a pad taken from the cactus. If you are lucky, the plant may produce 2 inch (5 cm.) wide creamy yellow flowers in summer, followed by globular purple fruits. These still have the ability to bite, so caution is urged when handling the cactus. Instead, it grows glochids, which are short whitish brown prickles. ![]() It makes an excellent container plant with its paired 3 to 6 inch (8-15 cm.) long pads, which start out a rosy red and deepen to bright green.Īn interesting bit of bunny ears cactus information is that it does not develop spines. In the home, it is a slow growing plant that will likely reach 2 feet (61 cm.) in height and have about the same width. So if you have a dry, low humidity home and plenty of sunny exposure, bunny ears cactus plant might be the perfect plant for you.īunny ears forms a 2 to 3 foot (61-91 cm.) tall plant with a spread of 4 to 5 feet (1- 1.5 m.) in its native habitat. Growing bunny ears cactus is as simple as mimicking its native regional conditions. Bunny Ears Cactus Informationīunny ears cactus ( Opuntia microdasys) originated in Mexico and is a denizen of arid, desert-like areas. Even a beginner can learn how to grow bunny ears cactus and enjoy the soft appearance of the plant without a lot of typical houseplant fuss. The thick pads of this plant are adorned with fuzzy glochids, or short bristles, that resemble the fur of rabbits and grow in earlike pairs. Bunny ears cactus plant, also called angel’s wings, has ease of care combined with an original appearance. They are also the perfect specimen for a neglectful gardener. Cacti are the perfect plant for the novice gardener.
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