How Often to Water a Bunny Ears Cactus
Opuntia microdasys · Difficulty: Very easy
Care Snapshot
| Light | Bright light with several hours of direct sun |
|---|---|
| Soil | Well-draining cactus or succulent mix |
| Humidity | Low humidity is fine (below 30%) |
| Temperature | 18-29°C (65-85°F) |
| Pet Safety | 🐾 Non-toxic to cats & dogs (not poisonous, but the fine glochid spines can physically injure skin, mouths and paws) |
Want a personalized schedule based on your pot size and light? Try the free watering calculator.
Signs of Overwatering
The flat, paddle-shaped pads turn yellow, wrinkled and mushy at the base when the roots have been sitting in wet soil.
Signs of Underwatering
The pads shrivel and thin slightly, though this cactus tolerates extended drought far better than overwatering.
Adjusting for the Seasons
Needs an almost completely dry rest in winter, especially in a cool room - overwatering during this dormant period is the most common way this cactus is killed.
Pro Tip
Despite lacking large spines, the tufts of fine, barbed glochids are notoriously irritating and hard to see or remove from skin - always handle with thick gloves or folded newspaper, never bare hands.
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