Bunny ears cactus

Bunny Ears Cactus (Opuntia microdasys)

Also called Angel’s Wings Cactus or Polka-Dot Cactus, this charming, low-maintenance plant is famous for its adorable pad-like stems and tiny glochids (spines).

🌵 Key Features

✔ Appearance: Flat, rounded pads resembling bunny ears (hence the name!).
✔ Spines: No large thorns, but covered in glochids (tiny, hair-like spines that detach easily and irritate skin).
✔ Flowers: Yellow or white blooms in summer (rare indoors).
✔ Size: Grows up to 2 ft (60 cm) tall and spreads wide.

☀️ Care Guide

Light

• Full sun (at least 6 hours direct sunlight daily).

• Can tolerate partial shade but may stretch (etiolate).

Water

• Soak & dry method: Water deeply, then let soil dry completely before watering again.

• Winter: Reduce watering (dormant period).

Soil

• Fast-draining cactus/succulent mix (add perlite/pumice for extra drainage).

Temperature

• Hardy in USDA Zones 9–11 (can survive light frost but prefers 50–90°F / 10–32°C).