Wear gloves and use tongs to handle the cactus
Choose a healthy pad or segment from a mature prickly pear cactus
Twist or cut off a pad cleanly at the joint
Let the cut end dry and callus for several days to 2 weeks
Fill a pot with well-draining cactus soil
Place the callused pad upright or slightly buried in the soil
Keep the pad in bright indirect light
Water very sparingly until roots form
Wait until the pad is firmly rooted before increasing watering
Transplant into a larger container or outdoor location after establishment
Propagate from seeds by collecting ripe fruit and removing the seeds
Clean and dry the seeds before planting
Sow seeds in well-draining soil and keep lightly moist
Keep seed trays warm and in bright light
Transplant seedlings after they are large enough to handle