Let’s plant those prickly pear cactus seeds!

If you can get around the spines, Opuntia humifosa, the eastern prickly pear cactus, is a tasty treat. Common in a wide variety of regions across the United States, the prickly pear cactus occurs in deserts, prairies, grasslands and woodlands.

Officially, however, the plant is hardy from USDA zones 5 through 10. Enter your ZIP Code here, to find your growing zone.

The seeds may be a challenge to germinate, so don’t give up if they don’t sprout right away. Start prickly pear cactus seeds indoors, in early spring.

What you’ll need to germinate prickly pear cactus seeds

• Sandpaper
• Small bowl
• Sand
• Sphagnum peat moss or coco coir
• Germination container
• Heat mat
• Individual planting pots
• Cactus mix

Prepare the seeds

Fold a piece of sandpaper so that the gritty side is inside. Place the prickly pear cactus seed inside the folded sandpaper and, with one palm under the sandpaper and one on top, rub the enclosed seed to lightly abrade the outside coat.

Avoid cutting into the seed; you just want to lightly scratch the outside seed coat. Repeat the procedure with each seed you will be germinating.

Throw the seeds into a small bowl filled with room temperature water and soak them overnight.

Prepare the planting container

Combine 1 part each of sand and sphagnum peat moss or coco coir and water it until it is evenly moist. Pour the mixture into the germination container, to within 1 inch of the rim.

Lay the prickly pear cactus seeds on top of the planting medium and cover with a very light layer of sand (about one-eighth inch).

Use water in a spray bottle to lightly spritz the sand.

Place the heat mat in an area that remains out of direct sun and set the thermostat to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Set the germination container on top of the heat mat and keep the soil slightly moist at all times.

Prickly pear cactus germination may be erratic. Look for the seeds to sprout in as few as five days, and up to 180 days.

Transplant the seedlings into individual pots, filled with cactus mix, when they reach 3 inches in height. Allow them to grow on indoors over the first two winters before planting them outdoors in spring, after all danger of frost has passed.

Note: We have never grown prickly pear cactus from seed but understand that the germination rate is typically quite low.

Several growers have suggested that prickly pear cactus seeds be started in the shade or dark with humid conditions. Once sprouted, move them to the light in a dryer area.

If we were to attempt O. humifosa germination we’d try both methods just to ensure something germinates.