Ocotillo
Fouquieria splendens · Fouquieriaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around ocotillo and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous (deciduous leaves)
- Blooming
- Spring to summer, tubular red flowers
- Adult size
- 3 to 4 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate to rapid in warm climates
- Hardiness
- Freezes below −5 °C
- Origin
- Deserts of Mexico and southwestern United States
- Soil type
- Well-drained, poor, sandy or rocky
Care
Watering
Water regularly during active growth (spring-summer), then drastically reduce in autumn and winter. During dormancy, wait until the soil is completely dry before watering. Excellent drought tolerance once established.
Light Exposure
Full south-facing exposure is essential, with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Ocotillo requires maximum light for abundant flowering and compact structure.
Soil
Use a very well-draining mix: cactus/succulent potting soil enriched with coarse sand or perlite. Absolutely avoid stagnant moisture, which causes root rot. Poor soil works better than overly fertile substrate.
Pruning
No obligatory pruning: ocotillo naturally adopts an erect bushy form. Simply remove dead or very weak branches after winter to maintain the silhouette.
Fertilizing
Apply very diluted or low-nitrogen fertilizer only in spring-summer (1 to 2 times per month). Excess fertilizer promotes foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and Pests
Primarily vulnerable to root and fusarium rot if overly moist. Regularly inspect for mealybugs and spider mites in dry climates. Ensure sufficient ventilation and maintain well-drained soil.
Did you know?
Ocotillo is an extreme deciduous plant: it can lose and regain its leaves up to 6 times per year depending on water availability, a remarkable adaptation strategy to desert droughts. Its scarlet red flowers attract hummingbirds, which are fond of them. In Mexico, the flexible stems of ocotillo are traditionally used for light construction and fencing.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.