Hortiforum

General Info – Indian Fig, Nopal, Prickly Pear, Barbary Fig, Fig Opuntia, Cactus Pear

Native to the arid deserts of Mexico, the Indian Fig, or Nopal, is extensively cultivated across arid and semi-arid regions due to its culinary versatility and remarkable resilience to diverse conditions.
Indian Figs offer numerous edible uses, particularly their fruits (known as Tuna in Mexico), which exhibit a range of vibrant colours such as purple, orange, and yellow. With a mildly sweet taste akin to watermelon, these fruits are enjoyed chilled, juiced, incorporated into desserts, or made into traditional alcoholic beverages such as the Mexican Colonche. The nutrient-rich leaves, known as ‘Nopales’ in Mexico, are cooked and consumed as a vegetable, with young leaves particularly prized for their tenderness and flavour, likened to green beans. Nopales are commonly diced and mixed with ingredients such as onions, tomatoes, cheese, and Lime to create Nopalito, a traditional and widely loved Mexican dish. Indian Fig serves as a valuable alternative to Apple Cactus and Dragon Fruit in regions where it may be too cold or dry. Most cultivated forms are now largely absent of the tiny barbed hairs known as ‘glochids’ which cover other Opuntia plants, these glochids can cause signficant irritation once painfully embedded in the skin.
Indian Fig is perfectly suited to arid and semi-arid climates, with low water requirements (as little as 300mm annually) and exceptional drought tolerance. They also endure moderate salt levels, strong winds, and poor sandy or clay soils with ease. Indian Figs thrive when placed in full sun and preferably in warm environments. Slow growing plants, even under ideal conditions, cutting-grown plants can begin fruiting within two years. Known for their low-maintenance nature, once established, they can withstand considerable neglect and need minimal attention, primarily limited to harvesting and occasional pruning
A large shrub to small tree with a spreading form and woody base once mature, Indian Fig commonly grow between 2-3m tall but can reach heights between 5-7m. Like many Cactus, the Indian Fig is a succulent with water filled leaves and a waxy outer skin. With thick, bluish-green pads up to 60cm long and 15cm wide, (technically cladodes rather than leaves). Indian Fig are at their most beautiful when flower, with the prominent yellow, orange or reddish flowers emerging from the edges of pads in late spring to summer. Plants can be used to stabilise soils.
A sizable shrub or small tree, the Indian Fig features a spreading form and develops a woody base once mature. Typically reaching heights of 2-3 metres, although occasionally it can grow as tall as 5-7 metres. Similar to many Cacti, the Indian Fig is a succulent, characterised by its water-filled leaves and a waxy outer skin designed to retain water in arid conditions. Its thick, bluish-green pads, technically cladodes rather than leaves, can grow up to 60cm in length and 15cm in width. Indian Figs exhibit their most striking beauty when in bloom, with vibrant yellow, orange, or reddish flowers emerging from the edges of the pads in late spring to summer. Additionally, these plants can serve as effective soil stabilisers.
The Indian Fig belongs to the broad Opuntia genus, whose plants and fruits are commonly known as ‘Prickly Pears’. This genus encompasses numerous species, many of which have become a significant invasive species in inland regions of Australia, forming dense infestations. One such invasive species is Opuntia Stricta, which closely resembles the Indian Fig and is also commonly referred to as ‘Prickly Pear’. Opuntia Ficus-Indica, however, stands apart as one of the only members of the Opuntia genus not deemed an invasive risk and allowed for sale in NSW. Its slow growth and ease of eradication make it a suitable choice for cultivation. Therefore, gardeners can safely grow Opuntia Ficus-Indica, provided they source plants from reputable suppliers to avoid species confusion.

Plant Profile/Properties