Expert: Greg Simpson - 7/1/2007

Question
I've heard that you can take cuttings from one prickly pear cactus to grow new ones.  Is this possible, and how would you do it?

Answer
Betsy,

Your in luck, because prickly pear is one of the easiest plants in the world to propagate. Simply break off a pad and stick it in some dirt. Water when the soil is dry, that's it! It should root in a month or so and show new growth very quickly. Good luck!

Greg