Why Are Cactus Plants So Easy to Grow?
If you’ve ever been interested in gardening or even just house plants, then you’ve probably noticed the popularity of growing cacti. Most people see them and think they have to be a pain to grow at home, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. So the question is why are cactus plants so easy to grow?
It’s well known in the gardening world that cacti are easy to grow because there are some succulents that are known for being a real pain to grow because their so meticulous and well, “needy.” But cacti are the one exception to that. Cactus are much easier to grow because their seeds are much bigger than other types of succulents, therefore, they are so much easier to germinate.
Since cacti grow in such hot and arid conditions most people just assume it has been hard to grow them at home. However, cacti have their own place in our yards and can be a very popular plant you’ll want to grow every year. To learn more about cactus plants keep reading below.
Are Prickly Pear Cacti The Most Successful Cacti?
Prickly pears are a part of the succulent family, which alone makes them very popular among gardeners everywhere. And one of the main reasons why they are the most popular cacti is because they are so easy to propagate.
If you want to a few different plants to your prickly pear collection you’d be surprised how easy the process really is. All you really have to do is break a few pieces of segments, then set them out and callous and then simply place them into a well-draining mix.
What Is Special About The Prickly Pear
Also, the prickly pear cactus doesn’t require a lot of attention or care. So if you’re looking for a plant that can practically take care of itself for the most part then that would be the perfect option. So if you’re someone who wants to have succulents in your space however you don’t have all the time in the world to babysit them 24/7, then prickly pear cacti are your friend.
The prickly pear plant can not only bring beauty and decor to your garden it also has many other uses such as:
- Combatant for certain kinds of medical issues
- Feed animals
- Can be used as a natural barrier or fence
- Can be eaten
Benefits of The Prickly Peary cacti
One benefit of prickly pear cacti is that they can be used for human consumption. This typically means that you can eat the fruit that grows on the plant. However, that’s not all, you can also eat the stem segments while they’re still young.
You may wonder about the glochids on the fruit which could cause the fruit to be hard to eat. However, the prickly pear cacti fruit is enjoyed across the globe. Another benefit of the prickly pear cacti is that animals can eat it too.
Especially for those drought-stricken areas where it’s possible for the vegetation to cover to not be a good enough source of food. It also has health benefits too, and most of them have been passed down from generation to generation.
Researchers have made it well known the caucus plants’ medical values. Some of the medicinal properties this plant has to include:
- Threats of bruises, bites, and cuts
- Constipation
- Sunburn
- Hangover
How Fast Does Prickly Pear Cactus Grow
Prickly pear cactus plants are kind of issue-free plants to grow however, they can take years to finally reach their full size. Their overall growth rate usually depends on the species, the care they receive, and their growth conditions.
They happen to grow around 3-6 inches in height and width every year under the best growth conditions. There is a species of prickly pear cactus called opuntia, which can grow quite large and have a height of 20 feet or even more.
However, it can take many years for it to reach that height. This plant can grow very rapidly in soft and moist soil however, that can actually make them audible to diseases and pests.
Is It Easy To Grow Prickly Pear Cactus
In fact, prickly pear cacti are very easy to grow. All they really need is well-drained soil and can simply survive just on rainwater after it’s planted. However, during rooting, the prickly pear cactus should always be irrigated every two to three weeks.
Whenever, you decide which cactus you plan on planting you should consider the overall size of the cactus that it will become once it’s fully grown, and then plant it far away from pathways and places where people will be able to contact it.
Prickly Pear Plant Characteristics
Prickly pears are very vigorously growing cacti that happen to have detachable spines, and that means they might not be able to be suitable for every person’s garden. However, these plants are well-suitable for hot, scorching areas of your garden.
Prickly pear cactus plants are comprised of wide, thick, flat pads which are covered in many different kinds of spines and segmented stems. Did you know that there are over 181 different species of prickly pear plants and they range from low-growing cacti to plants growing as high as 18 feet?
Types of Prickly Pears Cactus Plants
There are a few different kinds of the prickly pear cactus and some of them include the following:
Beavertail Prickly Pear: This cactus has bluish-gray pads that are kind of triangular in shape and are carried on a 20-inch taller frame that can actually spread out to 20-30 inches.
Indian Fig Prickly Pear: This cactus is somewhat of a monster in the cactus world, that’s because it kinda grows like a tree. It bears edible fruit and very large yellow and orange flowers.
In Summary
Prickly pear cactus plants all come in different shapes and sizes and colors. Some are great for home gardens and some aren’t. Hopefully, you now know a little more about them and can decide if you want to add an addition of prickly pear cacti to your garden.
