Puncture vine
Tribulus terrestris · Zygophyllaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant puncture vine: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Common name
- Maltese Cross, Ground Tribulus
- Family
- Zygophyllaceae
- Type
- Annual or short-lived perennial herb
- Mature size
- 20–60 cm tall, spreading habit
- Flowering
- June to September, yellow flowers
- Foliage
- Deciduous, compound and fine
- Hardiness
- Not frost-hardy, warm zones (10–11)
- Origin
- Arid tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa
Care
Sunlight
Place your Maltese Cross in full sun, requiring a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. This plant thrives in warm, open locations. Insufficient light weakens its growth habit and reduces flowering.
Watering
Water moderately during the growing phase, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Reduce watering in winter or during dormancy. Avoid excess moisture, which promotes root rot.
Soil
Use well-draining, light soil, even poor or sandy substrates. Mixing in sand or gravel improves drainage. The Maltese Cross tolerates alkaline soils and arid conditions.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced, diluted fertilizer once or twice during the growing season. This hardy plant doesn't demand much; excess nitrogen encourages foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pruning and maintenance
Remove dead or diseased stems to maintain vigor. A light cleanup at the end of the season is sufficient. The plant spreads naturally; limit its expansion if it spreads beyond your intended space.
Pests and diseases
Rarely affected in hot, dry climates. Watch for powdery mildew if humidity is excessive. Minor pests (aphids, spider mites) may appear in protected cultivation; good air circulation and regular rinsing usually suffice.
Did you know?
The Maltese Cross gets its English name from its remarkable fruits: spiny, crossed carpels that resemble a Maltese cross or star. These fruits are extremely hard and prickly, capable of clinging to shoes and dispersing over great distances. They inspired defensive strategies in arid plants, and the plant has long been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, though scientific studies on its actual properties are still ongoing.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.