Stock includes mostly Eastern Prickly Pear cacti and may contain other species and hybrids adapted to the Upper Midwest, all of which thrive in Northwestern Wisconsin as a perennial. Pads shrivel up somewhat during winter but reinflate and continue growing in the spring. Can form small patches, rooting out of pads as they make contact with the ground. The flowers are among the largest and most beautiful blooms of all native plants.

Prickly Pear will rot in moist soils, they absolutely need dry soils, ideally sand with sparse vegetative competition. May survive in infertile clays and silts but must be dry. On the south side of buildings, under overhangs can provide the appropriate dry micro habitat. Can grow on indented rocks that hold soil.