Bunny Ear Cactus
Opuntia microdasys
Learn how to care for bunny ear cactus along with its history and classification details.
Hardiness Zone: 9-11
Soil Type: Sandy, well drained, acidic to neutral
Sun Exposure: Full to part sun
Annual or Perennial: Perennial
Type: Cactus
History: Native to Mexico, naturalized in Kenya, Malawi, and Tanzania.
The bunny ear cacti actually got its name because of its visual appearance as it looks like the ears of a rabbit. 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 ear cactus requires warm, dry conditions and does not tolerate frost or excess humidity. Keep temperatures between 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 37 degrees Celsius) and avoid excess moisture by ensuring that the potting mix is well-draining and the potting container has drainage holes.
How to Care for Bunny Ear Cactus
Common questions and details on how to care for bunny ear cactus.
How do I plant bunny ear cactus?
Remove several mature pads from the mother plant. Use tweezers to avoid getting pricked by the cactus plant’s spines.
Allow the cuttings to dry.
Plant the cuttings.
Find a spot in the sun.
Water the plant regularly.
When is the best time to plant?
The best time to plant bunny ear cactus is summer.
How do I propagate bunny ear cactus?
Choose a healthy piece of stem at least 10cm long and cut it off cleanly with snips. Use tongs when handling spiny cacti. For plants without stems, remove whole leaves by hand (don’t cut them off). Sit cuttings on a window sill and leave them until the cut surfaces have healed over. Plant in pots.
Can I grow bunny ear cactus in a pot?
Yes, you can grow bunny ear cactus in a pot.
How much should I water bunny ear cactus?
Bunny ear cactus should be watered sparingly. Check the moisture in the soil, wait until it is dry before watering.
How do I care for bunny ear cactus with fertilizer?
Bunny ear cactus prefer to be fertilized infrequently.
When do bunny ear cactus bloom?
Bunny ear cactus will bloom in the summer.
How do I know when bunny ear cactus are ripe?
This plant will grow 2-3 feet tall and spread 4-6 feet as a mature plant.
When do I harvest bunny ear cactus?
You can harvest bunny ear cactus between 10 and 20 years.
Should I plant any companion plants?
Bunny ear cactus grow well with Aeonium Haworthii, Crassula Capitella, Aloe Maculata, and Sedum Nussbaumerianum.
Special Feature
Bunny ear cactus has an efficient fog collection ability. The spines and hairs have the perfect structure and microstructure to capture and channel fog.
If you get stuck by a cactus, consider it a cactus kiss. Because we all know Love hurts.
~Jessica Anna Jones