Bunny Ear Cactus Care Guide: Everything You Need To Know

The bunny ear cactus (Opuntia microdasys) is a lovely and low-maintenance indoor plant. This plant is commonly grown indoors for decorative purposes or outdoors in rock gardens. Bunny ear cactus care is easy, as this hardy plant is native to the harsh conditions of the Arizona desert; it can survive anywhere.

Also known as angel’s wing cactus and polka dot cactus, this cute-looking plant does pose a danger because of its prickly spikes. The bunny ear cactus is a slow-growing plant and can take at least 20 years to reach its optimal growth.

Moreover, these plants rarely bloom indoors. However, the striking appearance and easy care of the bunny ear cactus make this plant a must-have for indoor gardens. So, without further ado, let’s explore how you can grow and care for the bunny ear cactus at home.

What Is The Bunny Ear Cactus?

A member of the Cactaceae family that includes specimens like Christmas cactus, prickly pear cactus, dragon fruit, pincushion cactus, and more, the Bunny ear cactus is a famous desert plant. The bunny ear cactus is known for its thick, upright pads, covered with tiny bristle-like spikes. These pads resemble the ears of a rabbit, hence the names.

Unlike most cacti, bunny ear cactus does not have dedicated spines all over it. Instead, these plants have fuzzy, whitish-brown dots. These ‘dots’ are patches of small spikes, and they can be detached even with a slight touch. Therefore, you should handle these with care and caution.

Moreover, if grown directly in the ground, the bunny ear cactus may produce gorgeous bowl-shaped, yellowish flowers in the spring and summer. These flowers later develop into small reddish-purple edible fruits.

Bunny Ear Cactus Care

Taking care of the bunny ear cactus is easy, as these plants thrive in neglect. However, they do have some basic needs that you should focus on, such as –

• For the bunny ear cactus, choose a sunny location indoors and plant them in full sun outdoors.
• Use a potting mix well-suited for cactus or succulents, and mix it with dry, sandy, and well-draining soil.
• These are slow-growing plants, so water them only once during their growing season (spring).
• The bunny ear cactus is a drought-tolerant plant and would benefit from infrequent watering when the soil is dry.
• You may prune your plants as needed to control their growth and shape.

Light

The bunny ear cactus is a sun-loving plant and needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. If your space does not receive this much sunlight, you may opt for an artificial grow light for your cactus. During winter, this plant can survive in partial shade. Rotate your bunny ear cactus once in a while to ensure even growth.

Water

This plant is well-adapted to less rainfall conditions and is drought-tolerant. Therefore, for better bunny ear cactus care, make sure to water the plant thoroughly while also allowing the soil to dry out. Water this plant cautiously as it is susceptible to problems like root rot.

Depending on the humidity levels of your environment, plan to water this plant once every 1-2 weeks. Always remember that less water is better for these plants, as cacti can survive for months without water in the desert.

Soil

A dry, well-draining, sandy soil is ideal for the bunny ear cactus. You can also use a potting mix well-suited for cacti or succulents. Just like the desert soil, make sure that your soil has a low water-holding capacity. Moreover, you can make your potting soil for the bunny ear cactus by mixing equal amounts of perlite, regular potting soil, and coarse sand.

Temperature and Humidity

Similar to its natural environment, the bunny ear cactus prefers dry and warm conditions. This plant thrives in temperatures above 70℉, with summer temperatures reaching as high as 100℉. For better bunny ear cactus care, maintain a temperature range of 65 to 85℉. Protect outdoor growing bunny ear cacti from freezing temperatures and frost by bringing them indoors.

The bunny ear cactus can tolerate a range of humidity levels, but it prefers dry conditions; therefore, aim for humidity levels between 30% and 50%.

Fertilizing

This plant thrives in poor soil conditions but can benefit from occasional feeding during the growing period. Therefore, for better bunny ear cactus care, use a balanced NPK fertilizer that is well-suited for cacti and succulents.

Make sure to dilute the fertilizer to half its strength in water to avoid fertilizer burn.

Pruning and Repotting

Prune and damaged or skinny pads in spring. Removing old pads encourages new and healthy growth. You may also prune overgrown bunny ear cactus to your desired shape or size. While pruning, make sure to use sharp gardening tools and wear thick protective gloves.

The bunny ear cactus should be repotted every one to two years at the end of summer when the plant stops blooming. While repotting, use protective gloves and choose a pot that is 2-3 inches bigger than the current one. After repotting, avoid fertilizing instantly and wait for a week to let the plant recover and water again.

Propagating Bunny Ear Catus

You can propagate your bunny ear cactus through division during spring or summer when the plant is actively growing –

• Select a healthy pad and carefully remove it from the plant. Keep the plant aside to let it dry for at least 24 hours. Let the pad callous over for a couple of days.
• Plant the pad with the cut side down in a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix suitable for cactus or succulents.
• Place the pot in a sunny location. Make sure the new plant receives a few hours of direct sunlight every day until it starts rooting.
• After a few weeks, the roots will start forming, you can then water the plant. Make sure not to overwater the plant, as it can lead to root rot.

Why is the Bunny Ear Cactus ideal for you?

The bunny ear can be the right plant for you because of its many benefits, such as –

• If you are looking for a pet-friendly, non-toxic succulent for your home, the bunny ear cactus is the perfect choice for you. However, the spikes of this plant can hurt your pets, but they usually tend to stay away from this plant.
• The bunny ear cactus is extremely low-maintenance and has minimum watering requirements. So if you struggle with watering your plants, this plant will give you no trouble.
• This plant has fewer pest problems than most indoor plants. And is mostly affected by root rot.
• Moreover, the unique appearance of the bunny ear cactus makes this plant a great addition to any indoor space.

Conclusion

The bunny ear cactus is a low-maintenance and beautiful plant that can be grown easily by anyone indoors or outdoors. Adding this succulent to your garden will improve its overall appeal and give it a desert-like appearance. So, make sure to grow the bunny ear cactus at home. To learn more about bunny ear cactus care, download the Plantora App. This app can help you take better care of your plants and identify new plants easily.