Bunny ear cactus
Opuntia microdasys
Also called Polka-dot cactus and Angel's wings
Houseplant · Succulents & cactiThe fuzzy dots are barbed hairs, and they are worse than spines. Handle with a cloth.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 24 daysSoak, then bone-dry — wait until the soil is dry right through — lift the pot, it tells you.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Every 90 days
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Indoors, or out for the summer RHS H1C, to 5°C
- Size
- 0.6 m tall · 0.6 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- Northern Mexico
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsSafe for pets
PeopleIrritates skin
HandlingTake care handling it
The golden tufts are glochids — barbed hairs that lift off at a touch, embed invisibly and are far worse to remove than a spine; handle with folded paper, never bare hands.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-07-31.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.