The forage cactus "Orelha de elefante Mexicana"-OEM (Opuntia stricta Haw.) is currently the most productive variety in Pernambuco State - Brazil, however under adequate cultural treatments. In this context, this research aimed to evaluate different weed control methods in OEM cultivation. The experiment was carried at the Experimental Station of the IPA in Caruaru-Pernambuco, from April 2018 to November 2020. The design was randomized blocks with three replications. The treatments were: 1. no control, 2. manual cleaning, 3. swab, 4. 2,4-D, DIMETILAMINA salt, 5. GLIFOSATO + DIURON, 6. GLIFOSATO+ TEBUTIUTOMA, 7. HEXAZINONA + DIUROM, 8. MSMA, 9. OXIFLUORFEM, 10. QUIZALOFOPE-P-ETÍLICO, 11. FLUASIFOPE-P-BUTÍLICO, 12. TEBUTIUROM, 13. GLIFOSATO + DIURON + TEBUTIUROM, applied during the rainy season of 2018 and 2019. Three months after application of the treatments it was determined. The botanical composition and bare soil (BS), the latter being obtained by visual observations and attribution of values from 0 to 100%. In November/2020, % survival (0 to 100) and harvest was performed. ‘Malva branca’ (Ageratum conyzoides); ‘Juá de capote’ (Nicandra physalodes); ‘Vassourinha’ (Scoparia dulcis); ‘Frejorge’ (Cordia goeldiana); ‘Rabo de raposa’ (Conyza bonariensis); ‘Bredo’ (Amaranthus viridis); ‘Unha de gato’ (Senegalia tenuifolia) and grasses were the main botanical components identified and uncontrolled. Treatments 6, 7, 12 and 13 proved to be the most efficient (P < 0.05) in weed control due to the high % uncovered soil (90 to 96.67%). Burning of young rackets and lower survival in the palm (75%) was recorded in treatment 8. The highest productions (P < 0.05) were obtained in treatments 6, 12 and 13 with respectively 24.40; 22.58 and 20.61 t MS.ha-1 with no difference (P > 0.05) between them. There is a correlation of 0.79 between DMP and BS. There is no herbicide registration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) for forage cactus and more research is needed.