Light
Full sun / direct • approx. 40,000–80,000 lux
Cactaceae
Opuntia microdasys
VAT included · plus
Quick overview of our standard shipping rates, free-shipping thresholds and typical transit times for the countries we currently serve. Remote-area surcharges for certain postcodes are added automatically at checkout where applicable.
For full details, winter shipping rules and packaging information, please visit our Shipping & Delivery page.
| Country | Shipping | Free from | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | € 12.95 | € 100 | 2–4 working days |
| Belgium | € 8.95 | € 100 | 1–2 working days |
| Bulgaria | € 21.95 | € 300 | 5–7 working days |
| Croatia | € 29.95 | € 300 | 5–7 working days |
| Cyprus (²) | € 39.95 | No free shipping | 5–7 working days |
| Czechia | € 16.95 | € 150 | 2–4 working days |
| Denmark (¹) | € 16.95 | € 150 | 2–4 working days |
| Estonia | € 18.95 | € 200 | 2–4 working days |
| Finland | € 29.95 | € 300 | 5–7 working days |
| France (¹) | € 12.95 | € 100 | 2–4 working days |
| Germany | € 8.95 | € 70 | 1–2 working days |
| Greece (¹²) | € 29.95 | € 300 | 5–7 working days |
| Hungary | € 18.95 | € 200 | 2–4 working days |
| Ireland | € 14.95 | € 150 | 2–4 working days |
| Italy (¹) | € 14.95 | € 150 | 2–4 working days |
| Latvia | € 18.95 | € 200 | 5–7 working days |
| Lithuania | € 18.95 | € 200 | 2–4 working days |
| Luxembourg | € 12.95 | € 100 | 1–2 working days |
| Malta (²) | € 39.95 | No free shipping | 5–7 working days |
| Netherlands | € 8.95 | € 100 | 1–2 working days |
| Poland | € 12.95 | € 100 | 2–4 working days |
| Portugal (¹) | € 14.95 | € 150 | 2–4 working days |
| Romania | € 21.95 | € 300 | 5–7 working days |
| Slovakia | € 18.95 | € 200 | 5–7 working days |
| Slovenia | € 18.95 | € 200 | 5–7 working days |
| Spain (¹) | € 14.95 | € 125 | 2–4 working days |
| Sweden | € 18.95 | € 200 | 2–4 working days |
| Switzerland | € 29.95 | € 300 | 5–7 working days |
Notes
- ¹ Island / remote-area surcharge: added automatically at checkout for affected postcodes, including Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Faroe Islands, Azores, Madeira, Balearic Islands, and selected Greek island postcodes. Canary Islands: we currently do not ship there.
- ² Cyprus, Greece & Malta: delivery is possible, but courier reliability can vary; arrival times and plant condition cannot be guaranteed. Our 28-day guarantee does not apply to plants shipped to these destinations due to unpredictable transit times.
- Curated selection:
Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal – your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
If you are buying the exact plant shown in the photos, this is clearly stated in the size section.
- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
Secure shipping – carefully packed orders with safe delivery across the EU, UK and Switzerland.
28-day plant guarantee – if a plant arrives damaged or fails soon after delivery, we help you make it right.
Free returns – simple, cost-free returns according to our policy.
For full details, please see:
Opuntia microdasys
Quick Care Guide
Watering
Water when ~90–100% dry
Potting mix
Gritty • Ultra fast-draining • Mineral-heavy • Fine-medium
Temperature
Ideal: 18–30 °C • Avoid below: 8 °C
Growth habit
succulent subshrub or shrub
Support
none
Growth speed
Slow
Max size indoors
Max. height: 60 cm • Max. spread: 60 cm
Toxicity & safety
Non-toxic; glochids – physical injury risk
Origin & habitat
Mexico; desert or dry shrubland biome
How to read these metrics
These metrics are standardised reference points. We compile them by reviewing and cross-checking multiple botanical and horticultural references, then refining them through real-world growing experience. Source links: Plant Care Resources.
Please use the values as guidance. Conditions vary by home, so the same plant can respond differently. For plant-specific context, read the full product description and browse our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level + approximate lux at leaf level; DLI is the daily light “dose” for grow lights.
- Watering: “% dry” is the trigger before watering again; lower % stays more evenly moist.
- Potting mix: one-line profile (structure/drainage • moisture buffer • base • particle size).
- Temperature: “Ideal” comfort range; “Avoid below” marks higher stress risk.
- Humidity: target bands (Normal/Moist/Humid); consistency usually matters most.
- Growth habit: growth form (rosette, trailing, climbing) for placement and training.
- Support: needed/optional/none — whether stake, pole, or trellis improves structure and size.
- Growth speed: fast/average/slow under decent indoor conditions—expectations, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term potential; format differs for climbers vs. trailers.
- Toxicity & safety: chemical irritants/toxicity and physical hazards (spines, bristles).
- Origin & habitat: native region + typical biome/habitat as context.
Opuntia microdasys – Bunny Ears Cactus with Bold Desert Style
Opuntia microdasys, also known as Bunny Ears or Angel’s-wings cactus, is a compact, low-maintenance species native to arid regions of Mexico. Its oval pads are covered in dense clusters of tiny barbed glochids that give a fuzzy appearance – but don’t be fooled: they detach easily and can irritate skin. This unique desert cactus is perfect for bright interiors or dry, sunny balconies in frost-free climates.
With consistent sun and minimal watering, it slowly forms symmetrical clumps that resemble a cluster of bunny ears. Though flowering is rare indoors, mature plants may produce bright yellow blooms in strong light. Its sculptural silhouette and hands-off care make it a favorite among minimalist plant collectors.
Why Opuntia microdasys Is a Must-Have
- Fuzzy-Looking Pads: Covered in glochids instead of true spines
- Compact Growth: Reaches 40 – 60 cm tall indoors
- Low-Maintenance: Extremely drought-tolerant, needs little attention
- Non-Toxic (But Irritating): Safe for pets and humans, but glochids can irritate skin
- Desert Resilience: Thrives in dry, hot conditions; great for sunny windowsills
Natural Habitat and Botanical Background
- Native Range: Dry plains and rocky slopes of northern and central Mexico
- Botanical Authority: Opuntia microdasys (Lehm.) Pfeiff., published in Enum. Diagn. Cact. 154 (1837)
- Basionym: Cactus microdasys Lehm.
- Climate: Intense sun, low rainfall, warm air, low humidity
How to Care for Opuntia microdasys
Light
- Requires direct sun – at least 6 hours daily
- Ideal in south- or west-facing windows
- Stretching (etiolation) occurs if light is too low
Watering
- Water only when soil is bone dry – every 2 – 4 weeks
- Always use a pot with drainage holes
- No strict seasonal schedule indoors – adjust by light and warmth
Temperature and Humidity
- Optimal range: 21 – 35 °C
- Tolerates down to 10 °C; protect from frost
- Prefers dry air (below 50% RH); never mist
- Outdoor dormancy: In cooler climates, growth slows below 15 °C with no need to force dormancy indoors
Soil and Potting
- Use cactus mix with added sand, grit, or perlite
- Terracotta pots help regulate moisture and improve airflow
Repotting
- Repot every 2 – 3 years or when rootbound
- Handle with gloves or tongs to avoid glochids
Feeding
- Fertilize monthly in warm months with cactus fertilizer (low nitrogen)
- No feeding necessary during slower growth phases
Propagation
- Let a mature pad callous for 2 – 3 days before planting upright in dry mix
- Water lightly only after rooting begins (1 – 2 weeks)
Pruning
- Remove damaged pads or shape the plant using clean, sharp tools
Common Problems and Fixes
Pests
- Mealybugs, scale, spider mites Remove manually, apply neem oil or insecticidal soap
Root Rot
- Symptoms: Soft, dark pads; base collapse
- Fix: Remove rot, replant in dry soil, and adjust watering frequency
Sunburn
- Symptoms: Pale, dry patches on exposed pads
- Fix: Introduce to full sun gradually
Additional Tips
- No support needed: Naturally upright and compact
- Not frost-hardy: Bring indoors before temperatures drop below 5 °C
- May bloom when mature: Yellow flowers under intense light, but rare indoors
Botanical Name Meaning
Opuntia – Named after the Greek city of Opus, where similar plants reportedly grew.
microdasys – From Greek “mikros” (small) and “dasys” (hairy), referring to the fine glochids.
FAQs about Opuntia microdasys
Plant Care Basics:
- Care basics – Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week – Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light – How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering – When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots – Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity – When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing – Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests – Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro – How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.
Please head to our FAQ Page or Contact us.
Choose options
Opuntia microdasys
Sale price€6,00
Cactaceae
VAT included · plus Shipping costs
- Curated selection:
Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal – your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
If you are buying the exact plant shown in the photos, this is clearly stated in the size section.
- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
Secure shipping – carefully packed orders with safe delivery across the EU, UK and Switzerland.
28-day plant guarantee – if a plant arrives damaged or fails soon after delivery, we help you make it right.
Free returns – simple, cost-free returns according to our policy.
For full details, please see:
Opuntia microdasys
Quick Care Guide
Light
Full sun / direct • approx. 40,000–80,000 lux
Watering
Water when ~90–100% dry
Potting mix
Gritty • Ultra fast-draining • Mineral-heavy • Fine-medium
Temperature
Ideal: 18–30 °C • Avoid below: 8 °C
Growth habit
succulent subshrub or shrub
Support
none
Growth speed
Slow
Max size indoors
Max. height: 60 cm • Max. spread: 60 cm
Toxicity & safety
Non-toxic; glochids – physical injury risk
Origin & habitat
Mexico; desert or dry shrubland biome
How to read these metrics
These metrics are standardised reference points. We compile them by reviewing and cross-checking multiple botanical and horticultural references, then refining them through real-world growing experience. Source links: Plant Care Resources.
Please use the values as guidance. Conditions vary by home, so the same plant can respond differently. For plant-specific context, read the full product description and browse our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level + approximate lux at leaf level; DLI is the daily light “dose” for grow lights.
- Watering: “% dry” is the trigger before watering again; lower % stays more evenly moist.
- Potting mix: one-line profile (structure/drainage • moisture buffer • base • particle size).
- Temperature: “Ideal” comfort range; “Avoid below” marks higher stress risk.
- Humidity: target bands (Normal/Moist/Humid); consistency usually matters most.
- Growth habit: growth form (rosette, trailing, climbing) for placement and training.
- Support: needed/optional/none — whether stake, pole, or trellis improves structure and size.
- Growth speed: fast/average/slow under decent indoor conditions—expectations, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term potential; format differs for climbers vs. trailers.
- Toxicity & safety: chemical irritants/toxicity and physical hazards (spines, bristles).
- Origin & habitat: native region + typical biome/habitat as context.
