Cold Hardy Cactus Fruits
Growing Cold Hardy Cactus Fruit There are many types of cactuses that are cold hardy to USDA zone 6, and many that are hardy to USDA zones 4 and 5. Some opuntias cactuses even grow in USDA zone 3. So there are options. Usually cactuses that are cold hardy will be smaller and stay low to the ground rather than growing tall or wide, but there are some like Cylindropuntia leptocaulis, which grows upright and has edible buds and fruits. There is a lot of conflicting information about the cold hardiness of certain species and varieties of cactuses on the internet. Many cactuses are hardier than described by cactus growers in warm zones. I have seen cactuses listed as USDA zones 9-10 when they are actually very cold hardy species. It could be possible that the hardiness varies significantly within a species, or they could be mistakenly labeled. The best bet is to get cold hardy cactuses from a person or nursery that is growing in a cold zone so you know it can handle the winter. As an e...