Opuntia Basilaris sps. basilaris, aka beavertail cactus
Common Name: Beavertail cactus
United States NativeCalifornia Native
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Please make sure to include the plant type, quantity, and any other details and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!
Please make sure to include the plant type, quantity, and any other details and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!
Opuntia basilaris, the beavertail cactus, is a low-growing, nearly spineless prickly pear with blue-gray pads and showy edible magenta flowers. Native to Southwestern deserts, it’s highly drought-tolerant and perfect for dry farming.
Plant Details
- Type
- Cactus
- Native Region
- Mojave Desert
- Mature Size
- 2-6' wide, 1-3' tall
- Growth Rate
- Fast, Doubles in size every 6 months
- Where Excelled
- All of California and Southwestern USA, Texas, Florida
- Watering
- Low to high. High Potential for dry farm
- Reproduction
- Dozens of new pads each year, and produces dozens of fruit with average 30 seeds per fruit.
- Sugar Content
- Edible Fruit. Good potential for juice, wine, spirits
- Uses
- Fruit, juice, wine, spirits, jams, Seed oils, Pads (peeled and eaten), Edible Flowers
- Available Sizes
- 3-6" Pad, 3 pack $15 with shipping. 10 pack for $50 with shipping, 100 pack for $350 with shipping
- Pest Resistance
- Deer: Low
- Coyote: Medium
- Rodents: Medium
- Aphids: Medium
- Cochineal: High
- Climate Observations
- Plants under 1 year, 15-105F. 0-120F for plants over 1 year. Slight frost and snow tolerance.
More Photos
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Shipping & Returns: All shipments contain live plants and returns are not accepted. If your plants arrive damaged or diseased, contact us promptly at sales@agaverocaliforniano.com. We are not responsible for carrier delays but will help with any order concerns. Please plant your order immediately on receipt for best results.
Safety Notice: Many agave and cactus species have sharp spines—please handle with care when unpacking and planting.