Opuntia phaeacantha is a species of prickly pear cactus known by the common names tulip prickly pear and desert prickly pear found across the southwestern United States, lower Great Plains, and northern Mexico. The plant forms dense but localized thickets. Several varieties of this particular species occur, and it also hybridizes easily with other prickly pears, making identification sometimes tricky.
Prickly pear cow's tongue is drought tolerant so it rarely needs to be watered. Err on the low side of watering, about once per month, if at all, depending upon weather conditions.
When growing Gasteria succulents indoors, the light from a sunny window is often enough to keep them happy. Indoor growers say they've experienced excellent results when growing Gasteria succulents in cool rooms with limited sunlight. Gasteria information advises bright, but not direct light for this plant.
Grow cow's tongue in dry, decomposed granite, sand, or clay-loam that is low in organic content. Soil should, however, be well-draining. Plant this cactus in full sun.
Gasteria plants generally like warm summers and slightly cool winters (down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit).
Branching are long, narrow pads that look almost exactly like, yep, a cow's tongue seriously armed with spines. Native to central Texas where it gets hot, cow's tongue cactus produces yellow blossoms in the spring that give way to bright purplish red fruit in the summer.
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