{"product_id":"opuntia-linguiformis-seeds","title":"Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear (Opuntia engelmannii var. linguiformis) Seeds – Long Slender Tongue-Shaped Pads, Upright Growth, Cold-Hardy to -5°F, Yellow Blooms","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003e10+ Seeds\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eCow's Tongue Prickly Pear — The Cactus Named for Its Shape\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eMost prickly pears grow round, paddle-shaped pads. This one grows long, narrow, tongue-shaped pads stretching a foot or more, an unmistakable silhouette unlike any other Opuntia. Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear grows upright rather than sprawling, reaching several feet tall, and survives winter lows to -5°F, one of the more cold-hardy prickly pears available. Bright yellow spring flowers give way to edible fruit later in the season. This is a true Texas native, grown by collectors and xeriscape gardeners for a form no other cactus quite matches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho Grows Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe cactus collector seeking a genuinely distinctive pad shape.\u003cbr\u003eThe cold-climate succulent gardener wanting a prickly pear that survives winter lows.\u003cbr\u003eThe xeriscape gardener building a no-water landscape with architectural form.\u003cbr\u003eThe native plant gardener growing an authentic Texas and southwestern species.\u003cbr\u003eThe pollinator gardener wanting large, bright yellow blooms for native bees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat This Tongue-Shaped Cactus Actually Is\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eOpuntia engelmannii\u003c\/em\u003e var. \u003cem\u003elinguiformis\u003c\/em\u003e, called cow's tongue prickly pear, is a variety of Engelmann's prickly pear native to Texas, distinguished by unusually long, narrow, tongue-shaped pads reaching 12 to 18 inches, far longer than the typical rounded pad. Plants grow upright rather than sprawling, forming a shrub-like clump 3 to 6 feet tall over time, with sparse to moderate spination. Large yellow flowers appear in late spring, opening a single day each, followed by reddish-purple fruit, called tunas, ripening through summer and edible fresh or made into jelly. Young pads, or nopales, are also edible once de-spined and cooked. Hardy to zone 7, tolerating temperatures to -5°F, more cold-tolerant than many prickly pears.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn the Garden \u0026amp; Kitchen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchitectural xeriscape planting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Use the upright, tongue-shaped pads as a focal point in a dry bed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative plant garden:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow as an authentic Texas native alongside other regional xerophytes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEdible nopales:\u003c\/strong\u003e Harvest young pads, remove spines, and grill or sauté as a traditional dish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrickly pear jelly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Collect ripe purple tunas and cook down into a classic summer jelly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollinator support:\u003c\/strong\u003e Let plants flower fully for large, bright yellow blooms that draw native bees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContainer specimen:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow in a large container for a bold accent in colder regions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Cow's Tongue Prickly Pear Seeds\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStart method:\u003c\/strong\u003e Soak seeds 24 hours, sow on the surface of cactus mix; barely cover.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sprouts in 3-6 weeks; can be slow and uneven.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best 70-80°F.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fast-draining, sandy or gritty cactus mix is essential; wet soil causes rot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun for strongest growth and best flowering and fruiting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatering:\u003c\/strong\u003e Water sparingly; let soil dry fully between waterings, especially in winter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Space mature plants 3-4 feet apart for upright, clumping growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow from seed; expect several years before flowering size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reliable to zone 7, tolerating brief lows to -5°F once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandling:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wear thick gloves; even sparsely spined pads carry fine, irritating glochids.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePropagation note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Established plants also propagate more quickly from pad cuttings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWinter care:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep dry over winter, especially in containers, to prevent cold-wet rot.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBefore You Close This Page\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis is the prickly pear with a shape no other cactus has. Cow's Tongue grows long, narrow, tongue-like pads on an upright plant instead of sprawling paddles. It survives cold to -5°F, flowers bright yellow each spring, and produces edible fruit and tender pads. A true Texas native, it belongs in any xeriscape or native plant collection built around architectural interest. Give it full sun, fast-draining soil, and patience from seed. Grow the cactus that looks exactly like its name promises.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"terramatergardens","offers":[{"title":"10+ Seeds","offer_id":54364850520382,"sku":"11560","price":3.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"25+ Seeds","offer_id":54364850553150,"sku":"11575","price":5.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/8836\/7166\/files\/candles-5751.png?v=1788322976","url":"https:\/\/www.terramatergardens.com\/products\/opuntia-linguiformis-seeds","provider":"Terra Mater Gardens","version":"1.0","type":"link"}