Bunny Ears Cactus (Opuntia microdasys), 4-Inch Pot

Bunny Ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys) brings a playful, sculptural silhouette to a bright cactus collection. Its flattened pads branch as the plant grows, creating the familiar ear-like shape. This drought-tolerant cactus rewards a sunny position and careful watering, but its tiny bristles mean it is a plant to admire without touching.

Points of interest

• Flattened pads that develop an ear-like branching shape.
• Clusters of tiny barbed bristles, called glochids, rather than obvious long spines.
• Stores moisture in its pads and prefers dry intervals between waterings.
• Can gradually become a branching specimen in favorable conditions.
• Flowers may develop on mature plants with suitable conditions; blooms are not guaranteed.

What ships and estimated mature size

You will receive one live Bunny Ears cactus growing in a 4-inch nursery pot. Plant height, pad count, branching, and fullness vary naturally; a fixed height or number of pads is not guaranteed. Decorative terracotta pots and styling accessories are not included and are sold separately.

Mature plants can develop into branching specimens approximately 2–3 feet tall and wide under favorable conditions. Container growing, climate, and light affect eventual size. These are estimates rather than guaranteed dimensions.

Optional planter pairing

When repotting is needed, choose a modest terracotta pot with a drainage hole, only slightly larger than the root system. Avoid oversized containers and closed pots that trap water. Terracotta shown in styled photos is a separately sold prop, not the nursery pot supplied with the plant.

Care guide

• Light: Provide very bright light with several hours of direct sun after gradual acclimation. Start with gentle morning exposure and protect newly arrived plants from sudden intense afternoon sun. Indoors, choose a sunny window or suitable grow light; insufficient light can cause thin, stretched pads.
• Watering: Allow the potting mix to dry throughout before watering thoroughly and draining fully. Never leave the pot standing in water. Reduce watering substantially during cool, low-light conditions or when growth slows. Do not use a fixed weekly schedule.
• Soil: Use a gritty, fast-draining mix such as our Succulent & Cactus Soil Blend, sold separately. Add pumice or similar grit if the mix stays damp too long in your conditions. Always use a draining pot.
• Humidity: Favor dry air and good ventilation. Do not mist or keep in a sealed terrarium.
• Temperature: Keep in a warm, frost-free setting. Protect from freezing temperatures and cold, wet conditions. Shelter outdoor pots from extended rain and bring them under cover before cold weather.
• Feeding: Feed lightly during active growth with our Slow-Release Fertilizer, sold separately, following its directions for potted cacti. Do not combine it with additional routine fertilizer. Avoid feeding stressed plants or during periods of slowed growth.
• Handling and pruning: Do not handle pads with bare hands. Use tools and protective handling materials designed for cacti, keeping the bristles away from skin and eyes. Remove damaged pads only if needed, using clean tools; no routine shaping is necessary.
• Repotting: Repot when roots crowd the container, using a draining pot only one size larger. Protect yourself from glochids, avoid unnecessary root damage, and allow damaged roots to heal before watering.
• Propagation: Healthy mature pads can be removed with clean tools and appropriate protection. Allow the cut surface to callus completely, then place in a gritty mix. Water cautiously after roots develop rather than keeping an unrooted pad wet.

Pet and child safety: Not safe for pets or children to handle or chew. The tiny barbed glochids can irritate skin and injure mouths or eyes even though this cactus is not generally considered toxic. Keep out of reach.