How to Grow and Care for Bunny Ear Cactus

The bunny ear cactus is a popular houseplant that is not only attractive but is also low-maintenance. Native to northern Mexico and the Arizona desert, the cactus is known by several common names including bunny ear cactus, angel’s wings cactus, and polka dot cactus. But don’t be fooled by these cute nicknames, while the bunny ear cactus might look less threatening than other cacti varieties with large and intimidating spikes, this cactus is just as prickly. Each white “dot” on the surface of the bunny ear cactus is a glochid, which are patches of hundreds of small spines that easily dislodge in the skin. Thus, take care when handling a bunny ear cactus and always wear protective gloves.

The cactus has a slow growth rate and takes up to 20 years to reach maturity. It rarely blooms indoors.

Common Name	Bunny ear cactus, angel's wings cactus, polka dot cactus
Botanical Name	Opuntia microdasys
Family	Cactaceae
Plant Type	Cactus
Mature Size	2-3 ft. tall, 4-5 ft. spread
Sun Exposure	Full
Soil Type	Sandy, well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic, neutral
Bloom Time	Summer
Flower Color	Yellow
Hardiness Zones	9-11 (USDA)
Native Area	North America

Bunny Ear Cactus Care

This cactus is easy to care for and thrives on neglect. Here are the main care requirements for growing a bunny ear cactus:

• Place indoor plants in the sunniest location in your home or plant it in full sun outdoors.
• Use cactus or succulent potting mix or plant it in a location with dry, sandy, well-draining soil.
• Water houseplants infrequently and always let the soil dry out between waterings. Plants in the landscape don’t require watering.
• In cool climates, overwinter the cactus indoors.
• At the most, fertilize houseplants once a year in the spring.
• Prune it as needed to keep it bushy.

Light

The bunny ear cactus requires consistent bright, direct sunlight and when grown as a houseplant, it should be placed in the sunniest spot in your home. Ideally, this cactus should receive between six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. When grown indoors, this usually means that it should be placed in a south or west-facing window, or use a grow light to provide supplemental light. When grown outdoors, ensure that the cactus is not planted in a location that is not shaded.

Soil

Like most cacti, the bunny ear cactus prefers dry, sandy, well-draining soils. A standard cactus or succulent potting mix is sufficient and is easily found at most nurseries or garden centers. Alternatively, make your own potting mix at home by mixing equal parts potting soil, coarse sand, and perlite.

Water

This desert dweller is drought-tolerant and does not require frequent watering to survive. The bunny ear cactus is extremely sensitive to overwatering and prone to root rot if it is exposed to too much moisture. Allow the soil to dry out thoroughly between watering, and when in doubt, wait a bit longer before you water again. Remember that in the desert, cacti survive weeks, sometimes even months, without water.

Temperature and Humidity

The bunny ear cactus requires warm, dry conditions and does not tolerate frost or excess humidity. It thrives in temperatures above 70 degrees F and toleratessummer temperatures as high as 100 degrees F. The cactus can be grown outdoors year-round in USDA zones 9 to 11.

Fertilizer

This cactus grows well in poor-quality soils and does not require regular fertilization. However, it benefits from a yearly application of a cactus or succulent fertilizer in the early spring to help boost growth during the active growing period.

Is This the Right Plant for You?

A BUNNY EAR CACTUS IS A GOOD CHOICE IF:

• You have pets and are looking for a non-toxic succulent
• You struggle with keeping a consistent watering schedule and are looking for a drought-tolerant plant
• You want a plant with very few pest problems, other than common houseplant pests like mealybugs

Pruning

In the spring, snip off any skinny or damaged pads. Cuttingoff the tips of the pads encourages branching and fuller growth. It is also possible to prune an overgrown bunny ear cactus back to the desired shape as long as you don't remove more than one-third of the plant at a time.

Propagating Bunny Ear Cactus

Like most cacti, the bunny ear cactus is easily propagated from cuttings:

1. Remove one of the pads from the cactus and set it in a dry place for 24 hours to let the baee of the pad callous over.
2. Fill a pot with well-draining potting mix, ideally cactus potting mix. Slowly water until the potting medium is soaked and water runs out of the drainage holes.
3. Insert the pad cut side down about 1 inch deep in the soil and gently tamp down the soil. Alternatively, lay the pad flat on top of the soil (this method works better for larger pads).
4. Place the pot in a location that receives a couple of hours of direct sunlight each day.
5. Wait to water until roots have developed. Go easy on the water, too much water will lead to rotting. After a few weeks, roots should begin to grow.

Potting and Repotting Bunny Ear Cactus

The bunny ears cactus should be repotted every two to three years. To repot this cactus safely, ensure that you have access to a pair of thick gardening or work gloves to protect yourself from the sharp bristles. Alternatively, use tongs to ensure that you don’t touch the cactus.

Using the gloves or tongs to hold the cactus in place, gently wiggle the root ball out of the old pot and remove as much of the old soil from around the roots as you can. Then, transfer the cactus into the new pot, adding the fresh soil around the roots and patting it firmly into place.

Overwintering

The cactus is not frost-tolerant. Below USDA zone 9, grow it in containers and bring it indoors to overwinter in a location with partial sun and where temperatures hover around 50 to 65 degrees F. Water it very sparingly during the winter months.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

The bunny ear cactus is occasionally bothered by common pests such as mealybugs or scale, but are otherwise fairly pest-free. Both of these sap-sucking pests can be treated with regular applications of rubbing alcohol with a Q-tip or cotton swab to the affected areas.

The most common disease to watch out for is root rot which results from overwatering or excess moisture. A telltale sign of root rot is brown mushy stems and roots. Unfortunately, once root rot is found it is usually too late to do anything about it. Remove the unaffected pads promptly and propagate them.

From: thespruce