Exposure & Location

Opuntia Rubescens Consolea needs plenty of sunlight to thrive and maintain its compact growth. The more light it receives, the more vigorous and graphic it will be.

• Exposure: full sun (minimum 6 hours per day).
• Ideal: sunny south-facing balcony, terrace, very bright windowsill, or urban garden.
• Temperature: 10 to 35 °C, tolerates cold down to 0 °C.
• Substrate: very well-draining, cactus potting mix with sand and perlite.

Verdeia tip: indoors, place it near a very bright south-facing window to receive maximum sunlight.

Watering & Care

• Watering: low; allow the substrate to dry completely between waterings.
• Frequency: about once every 2-3 weeks in spring-summer, once a month in winter.
• Drainage: essential — use a pot with drainage holes and very well-draining substrate.
• Humidity: tolerates dry air, no need for misting.
• Fertilizer: once in spring with diluted liquid cactus fertilizer.
• Pruning: gently remove damaged or dead paddles at the base.

Opuntia is a desert cactus that stores water in its paddles — better to underwater than overwater.

Decor Ideas & Plant Pairings

With its graphic paddles and sculptural form, Opuntia Rubescens Consolea adds a touch of modernity and character to your space. It creates a spectacular architectural focal point.

• Pair with: Agave, Aloe, Echeveria, Sedum, or other succulents to create a Mediterranean dry garden.
• Ideal pot: decorative pot in terracotta, white ceramic, zinc, or concrete to highlight the graphic silhouette.
• Ambiance: perfect on a sunny balcony, urban terrace, very bright windowsill, or dry garden to create a modern desert atmosphere.

Stacked paddles create an elegant vertical silhouette that adds height and structure to your plant arrangement.

Verdeia Tips

• Very easy to care for — perfect for beginners and busy urban gardeners.
• Exceptional drought resistance — tolerates missed waterings.
• Graphic and sculptural silhouette — spectacular architectural effect.
• Full sun essential — it is a desert cactus that loves the sun.
• Avoid excess water — the main cause of death is root rot.
• Slow growth — patience needed to see new paddles develop.
• Repot every 3-4 years in spring into a slightly larger pot.
• May produce small yellow flowers under optimal conditions.
• Tolerates cold — can stay outside down to 0 °C.
• Non-toxic to animals — safe for cats and dogs.

Technical Characteristics

• Botanical name: Opuntia rubescens consolea
• Common name: Opuntia Rubescens Consolea, Paddle Cactus, Console Cactus
• Family: Cactaceae
• Origin: Caribbean and Central America
• Adult size: up to 100–150 cm in pot (slow growth)
• Exposure: full sun (minimum 6 hours per day)
• Watering: low, allow to dry completely between waterings
• Care: very easy (perfect for beginners)
• Toxicity to animals: non-toxic
• Decorative style: Modern / Architectural / Desert
• Special features: sculptural graphic paddles, unique architectural form, exceptional drought resistance, non-toxic

Each plant is unique: photos show an example of its appearance. Paddle shape and height naturally vary depending on growing conditions and season.