Opuntia microdasys, which is commonly known as Bunny Ear Cactus or Polka Dot Plant, is an attractive, fast-growing cactus that is easy to grow. For these reasons, the Bunny Ear Cactus is very popular and can be found in most gardening centers. I purchased my first Bunny Ear Cactus last weekend. In an effort to give it the best care possible, I did some research on how to grow Bunny Care Cactus. Some of my research is documented in this blog post.
Overall, the best way to care for Bunny Ear Cactus (Opuntia microdasys) is to mimic its native habitat as closely as possible. Put your cactus in a dry location that receives a lot of bright sunlight. During the growing season, water your Bunny Ear Cactus thoroughly and allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. These cacti do not need to be watered as frequently during the winter months.
In the following article, I will provide some interesting facts about the Bunny Ear Cactus as well as detailed care information.
About Bunny Ears Cactus
Opuntia microdasys, which is commonly referred to as Bunny Ears Cactus or Polka Dot Cactus, is a species of cactus native to central and northern Mexico. These plants grow well as houseplants, and can also grow outdoors in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) zones 9 through 11.
Glochids
Unlike other species of cacti, the Bunny Ears Cactus does not grow spines. Instead, they grow bristles called glochids. Glochids typically grow in tufts and are found on the areoles of cacti belonging to the sub-family of Opuntioideae. The glochids on a Bunny Ear Cactus may be white or yellow.
Like spines, the purpose of glochids is to deter animals from eating them. Glochids also help the cactus preserve water and insulate the plant to protect it from extreme temperature.
| Structure | Description | Material |
|---|---|---|
| Thorns | Modified branches or stems | Cacti do not have thorns. |
| Spines | Modified leaves | 50% cellulose, 25% lignin, 25% non-structural polysaccharides (Gindl-Altmutter and Keckes, 2012) |
| Glochids | Modified leaves | Cellulose (Pritchard and Hall, 1976) |
An analysis using x-ray diffraction and infrared spectrophotometry showed that glochids are pure crystalline cellulose (Pritchard and Hall, 1976). Because of its high molecular weight and crystalline structure, cellulose is not soluble in water. This means that glochids will not dissolve in water.
Although they are not as sharp as spines, glochids can easily detach from the cactus, get lodged in the skin, and cause skin irritation for several days. Unfortunately, these little bristles can be very difficult to remove because they are so small.
According to an article published in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine, glochids can be easily peeled off with a dried film of professional facial gel (Lindsey and Lindsey, 1988). Some people have also found Elmer’s glue or Duct tape to be effective in removing glochids from the skin.
Seek medical help if you cannot remove glochids that are stuck in your skin.
Flowering
These plants will sometimes bloom creamy yellow flowers in the summer. However, these plants will not typically bloom when grown indoors because they need to be exposed to temperatures between 45°F and 55°F during the winter in order to bloom.
You may see Bunny Ear Cacti sold with pink or purple flowers attached to it. These are actually fake flowers made of straw that are glued onto the cactus. Stores sell cacti with fake flowers because they are eye-catching and last much longer than real flowers.
Light
Like other cacti, the Bunny Ear Cactus requires a lot of sunlight. Place your bunny ear cactus near a south-facing window. Alternatively, supplement natural sunlight with full-spectrum grow lights. During the summer months, it may also be a good idea to give your cactus some outdoor time to ensure that it gets the light that it needs. If Bunny Ear Cacti do not get enough sunlight, they can start to droop or fall over. If your plant starts to look pale or weak, that is another sign that your Bunny Ear Cactus is not receiving enough sunlight.
During the winter months, place your Bunny Ear Cactus in a location with cooler temperatures and indirect light. This will allow the plant to rest during its dormant period.
Watering
Water your Bunny Ear Cactus regularly during the growing season. When you do water your cactus, make sure you keep adding water until it starts flowing out of the drainage holes. This will ensure that all of the roots are receiving some water. Allow the soil to dry completely between waterings.
Bunny Ear Cacti are dormant during the winter months and do not need to be watered as frequently as in the growing season.
Underwatering or overwatering can cause your Bunny Ear Cactus to droop or sag. If you notice your cactus starting to sag, stick your fingers in the soil. If the soil is bone dry, give your cactus a thorough watering. If the soil is saturated or soggy, consider repotting it in fresh soil.
Soil
Like other species of cacti, Bunny Ear Cactus should be grown in well-draining soil to prevent overwatering and root rot. This is particularly true if you are growing Bunny Ear Cactus indoors. A cactus or orchid soil mix would work well. If you mix your own soil, combine 2 parts potting soil, 1 part coarse builder’s sand, and 1 part perlite.
Repotting
Bunny Ear Cactus need to be transplanted to a new pot every 1 to 2 years. These plants will grow more rapidly if they have room.
When repotting, do not remove soil from the root ball. Simply place the whole mass into a bigger pot. Wait to water the repotted plant for a few days to minimize the chance of transplant shock.
As previously discussed, the glochids on the Bunny Ear Cactus can cause serious skin irritation. For this reason, you should avoid touching the body of the cactus at all costs. Try to use tongs if you need to handle the body of the cactus. When transplanting, wear multiple layers of hand protection.
Fertilizer
This plant grows vigorously, especially if it lives outdoors. As such, Bunny Ear Cactus will benefit from some regular feeding. Bunny Ear Cactus will survive without fertilizer, but fertilization gives the plant a healthier and more vibrant appearance.
Cacti are not heavy feeders, so it is best to apply fertilizer that is diluted to half or quarter strength. A fertilizer that is labeled as 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 will work well. Cactus fertilizer blends, which usually have an N-P-K ratio of 1-7-6 or 2-7-7, will also work well for feeding Bunny Ear Cactus.
Bunny Ear Cacti growing outdoors can be fertilized up to once per month during the growing season. However, Bunny Ear Cacti growing indoors should only be fertilized once per year during the growing season. Otherwise, there is a risk of over-fertilizing the plant.
Drooping Bunny Ear Cactus
It is common for Bunny Ear Cacti to start drooping, especially if they are grown indoors. There are several reasons that this can happen:
- To little light;
- Underwatering;
- Overwatering;
- Pest infestation (e.g., mealybugs);
- The plant needs to be planted in a larger pot;
Fortunately, most droopy Bunny Ear Cacti can be saved. They are tough plants, but it is important to take corrective actions. For example, put your plant in a location where it is getting plenty of sunlight. It is also a good idea to put your cactus in fresh soil if you have not repotted in a while or if the soil does not drain very well.
Use wooden stakes to prop up the floppy sections of cactus (again, use tongs). They should harden off if you place the plant in direct sunlight and do not water as often. Alternatively, you could cut off the drooping portions with sterilized scissors.