Will My Cactus Survive The Winter?

Question

I bought a home in December and in Spring discovered a cactus (I believe Eastern Prickly Pear) outside. The paddles are laying in the ground and edges are curled up a bit. Will it come back and stand up in its own? Do I need to trim? Is it dead? It doesn’t look dead.

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Answer 1

That cactus is well established, at least several years old. It will remain there with no help. You can trim it back to any size that you please, but it will never stand up. They do not grow upwards. It is their nature to lay down over time. This is how they spread and grow into a larger mass.

These ar very commonly mislabeled for tropical and subtropical gardens, only, but you will find them to grow quite well in your zone.

Here is an article to help you care for these:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/prickly-pear/growing-prickly-pear.htm