Native to the deserts of northern Mexico and the borderland reaches of Arizona, bunny ears cactus has become one of the most popular decorative succulents in cooler climates, grown as a houseplant wherever winter temperatures drop below freezing. It is slow to establish but patient — reaching 2 to 3 feet tall and spreading 4 to 5 feet wide over time in the right conditions. The pads are oval, light to medium green, and studded with white areoles carrying golden-yellow or white glochids: tiny, barbed bristles that detach at the slightest touch and embed in skin with a tenacity out of proportion to their size. No spines proper, just this soft, spotted surface that invites touching and rewards the impulse with mild but persistent irritation.

Flowers are bowl-shaped, creamy yellow, and about 2 inches long, appearing in spring — though indoor plants rarely bloom. Edible reddish-purple fruits follow in summer if pollination occurs. Outdoors in zones 9 to 11, it makes a useful fast-spreading ground cover or accent plant; in containers, its spread is easily managed and the form remains pleasingly compact. It needs full sun, a fast-draining cactus mix, and thorough drying between waterings. In winter, give it cooler temperatures and reduced water to mimic its native dormant season.