2022 | How to Care for Opuntia Microdasys Albata (Bunny Ears)

The Opuntia Microdasys Albata is commonly known as Angel Wings, bunny cactus, polka-dot cactus, and Bunny Ears, named after its appearance like a bunny’s ears, this is a flowering succulent from the cactus family and is native to northern Mexico. They are well known for their use in indoor decoration. They grow small pads that are covered with tiny spines and they also grow tiny yellow flowers during the spring.

The Bunny Ear plant has no central stem or leaves, and the body comprises of oval-shaped pads or segments. These pads are also used for propagation of the plant as well. They like a warm environment and full sun to thrive. If you want to grow them in cold regions you will have to protect them from frost and cold.

How to Water Opuntia Microdasys Albata (Bunny Ears)

The Bunny Ears is a succulent plant and has similar water requirements. You can follow the “Soak and Dry” method to water your succulent plants. In this method, you let your plant completely dry and then provide it water.

Follow these instructions for watering your succulent:

  • Check if the potting soil is completely dry or not, you can check this by dipping your finger into potting soil and check if there is some moisture left. Or you can check the weight of the pot, if it is heavy that means it has some water left, and if it has a normal weight that means it is completely dry.
  • Always water your plant sparingly, and make sure that water reaches the bottom of the pot. Avoid overwatering your plant as it is harmful.
  • You can prepare a watering schedule for your Bunny Ears plant based on the weather and climate in your area. If it is hot and dry you need to water it more frequently, but if it is cold and winter you can water it less frequently.
  • Water the succulent every 10 – 14 days. Adjust as needed.

Lighting and Temperature needs for Opuntia Microdasys Albata (Bunny Ears)

The Bunny Ears require plenty of sunlight for its proper growth. They need full sun to partial sun during the cold winter days and partial sun to partial shade during the hot and dry summer days. They can be grown inside as well, but you need to place them somewhere bright otherwise they will not thrive.

The Bunny Ears like to be grown in warm environments, and the best temperature for their growth is 70-100°F (21-37°C). As they are not cold-hardy plants so cannot survive the cold temperatures and frost. If you want to grow them in a cold region, you will have to place them inside.

Soil needs for Opuntia Microdasys Albata (Bunny Ears)

This is a succulent plant and has similar soil requirements as other succulents. You can use the same type of soil for the Bunny Ears that you use for other cactuses. They need porous soil that can quickly drain the water.

This soil contains more sand, house plant fertilizer or natural fertilizer, pumice, perlite, and small pebbles, these things help the soil quickly drain the excess amount of water out of the pot. This soil protects the roots of your Bunny Ears from the effects of overwatering.

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Fertilizer for Opuntia Microdasys Albata (Bunny Ears)

Most of the time when you grow them inside, they show slow growth, this is because the potting soil contains only a small amount of nutrients that deplete over time. Then you need to provide them fertilizers for their proper growth.

You can add the house plant fertilizer in the potting soil, you can create a mixture of water and house plant fertilizer and keep feeding your plant this mixture once every 30 to 40 days. This will help you provide nutrients to your plant for its proper growth. Avoid overfeeding the fertilizers as this can also harm your plant as well.

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How to Repot Opuntia Microdasys Albata (Bunny Ears)

The Bunny Ears plant requires repotting once a year as they grow very fast. The best season for repotting the Bunny Ears is the start of summer. To repot your Bunny Ears plant, you need to prepare a bigger pot by adding porous soil and house plant fertilizer. Then you need to carefully uproot the plant and transfer it to the new pot.

Try not to damage the roots of the Bunny Ears while repotting. After the successful transfer, you can provide them water so that their roots can adjust into the soil and place them under the sun for a few days.

How to Propagate Opuntia Microdasys Albata (Bunny Ears)

The Bunny Ears plant can be easily propagated with the help of cuttings. As we know that the plant grows segments or pads, you need to carefully remove these pads with the help of a sterile sharp knife and hand gloves to protect your hands from the small spines.

Provide them some water and keep them under the sunlight for a few days. You will see the signs of their growth in a few days.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Question: How to take care of the Bunny Ears Plant?

Answer: This plant requires proper watering, full sun to partial sun depending on the season, warm temperatures, house plant fertilizer, and porous potting soil. To properly take care of your Bunny Ears plant you need to provide these to your plant.

Question: Are Bunny Ears plants poisonous?

Answer: The plant itself is not poisonous to pets and humans but the spines of the plant are very irritating and can cause itching.

Question: Can you cut Bunny Ears in half and replant it?

Answer: Yes, the Bunny Ears plant is mostly propagated with the help of the cutting method. In this method, you cut the plant and then replant it.

Question: Why my Bunny Ears plant is dying?

Answer: There can be many reasons, mostly overwatering, less watering, overfeeding of fertilizers, the wrong type of soil, frost, and cold temperatures for a long time are the reasons behind the death of your plant.

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