This prickly pear is a heritage cactus from Humboldt County, California. For many years, it lived in a container on the porch of a house less than a mile from the ocean in the north coast town of McKinleyville, CA, until it was brought over to Reno as a gift. For several years, it was assumed that since the cactus had been growing in the mild, wet climate of the north coast, it would need to be brought indoors each year before the killing frost. One year, as an experiment, a cutting of the cactus was left outside. This led to the discovery that this fleshy, soft green cactus does indeed take the cold Reno winters, no problem.

It takes a certain interest, but growing cactus plants can be incredibly rewarding as they are strange and amazingly varied and surprisingly easy to take care of. We carry hardy cactus that thrive outdoors in our part of the world. Come in and see our selection.