Pickle Plant

Pickle Plant Care

Delosperma echinatum

What is the plant

The perfect combination of succulent and wildflower, this shrub is oddly beautiful and out of the ordinary.

Native to Africa, this succulent shrub grows up to 18 inches (45 cm), and when planted in outdoor gardens, it spreads easily to the point it can become invasive.

It has thick leaves resembling small pickle-like cucumbers, allowing easy identification. Leaves grow on short stems and appear shiny due to water reserves along their surface. Its entire body is covered in hard and short white hairs that get confused with spikes but don’t sting.

It blooms in spring and summer and bears white, yellow, and white and yellow flowers with many petals that resemble wild daisies. It is easy to care for and low maintenance. It attracts pollinators like butterflies.

humidity

Dry

lighting

Full Sun

temperature

22°C - 30°C

hardiness zone

5 - 9

difficulty

Easy

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water when soil is dry, which roughly means watering every 2 to 3 weeks. Water until soil is saturated, and discard the excess water by emptying the water tray. This plant can sustain droughts, and watering should be reduced once it enters its dormant phase.
Pruning
Pruning should be employed every three years by beheading the succulent. This is done by cutting the superior part to maintain shape and promote healthy growth. Remove dead leaves and flowers.
Fertilizer
It doesn’t require fertilizing. It can be fed once every 3 months during the growing season, with a third of the normal dose. Choose a slow-release fertilizer, and don’t feed during dormancy.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Pickle Plant prefers partial shade to full sun and should get a few hours of direct sunlight a day, although it should be kept more frequently under indirect light. The full sun tends to make it more ornamental.
Soil
This plant prefers loose and well-draining soil that is sand-based and alkaline.
Propagation
It can be propagated by the stem and by seed.

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Temperature
Pickle Plant can sustain cold temperatures, but it won’t resist frost, causing burns. Ideally, temperatures shouldn’t rise above 86 ºF (30 ºC) or drop below 41 ºF (5 ºC).
Container
Choose a container with drainage holes.
Popularity
1,660 people already have this plant 219 people have added this plant to their wishlists