Opuntia 'crystal wave' - cold tolerant indoor cactus

Opuntia 'Crystal Wave' is a variegated variety of a family of cactus commonly called prickly pears or bunny ear cactus.  It is distinguished by dense spines which appear like a waves over the structure of the plant.  Like most true cactus species, prickly pears are native only to the Americas. Through human action, they have since been introduced to many other areas of the world. Prickly pear species are found in abundance in Mexico, especially in the central and western regions, and in the Caribbean islands (West Indies).  This is a variant of one found, as its name suggests, in Jamaica.

Its defences combine glochoids (small detachable hair like spines) and very sharp spines.  This makes them an unsuitable plant for children or those who feel compelled to handle their plants more than is absolutely necessary. 

Your Opuntia 'Crystal Wave' would enjoy a position with lots of direct light.  A spot in a South Facing window sill would be ideal.  These plants are cold tolerant as low as 4°C as long as in dry, rather than damp, conditions. 

Your Opuntia 'Crystal Wave' requires very little water.  Watering frequency is dependent on how much direct light the plant recieves but once every six weeks whilst in growth & no water during the colder months is our watering regime.  It grows best in a mostly none organic material, i.e. lots of grit, sand & gravel, to assist rapid drainage.

Your Opuntia 'Crystal Wave' will develop pads on the top of the rooted pads, usually 2 but sometimes more, and in turn those pads will create more creating a very structurally interesting plant.  It’s flowers, which appear on the top of the pads, are large, daisy like in structure, & bright yellow. 

This well established plant is supplied in a 10.5 cm pot along with our fully comprehensive care instructions which are based on our care of this plant in our UK home.