Interesting Facts
Fouquieria are native to northern Mexico and the bordering US states ofArizona, southern California, New Mexico, and parts of southwestern
Texas, favoring low, arid hillsides, and although they are still succulents, they are not true cacti.
Ocotillo have succulent stems with thinner spikes projecting from them, with leaves on the spikes.
| Plant Types: | Perennial, Shrub |
| Light: | Full Sun |
| Height: | 10 feet to 20 feet |
| Width: | 10 feet to 15 feet |
| Zones: | 14a to 15b |
| Bloom Color: | Red |
| Leaf Color: | Green |
| Special Features: | Edible, North American native |
| Shape: | Irregular or sprawling |
| Type of Soil Preferred: | Acidic, Clay, Loamy, Neutral, Sandy, Slightly-Alkaline, Well-Drained |
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Plant Care
Planting:
In late spring or summer, grow from seeds or from shoot cuttings that can be simply stuck into the ground. It may take two years for a before a transplanted ocotillo starts growing again.
In late spring or summer, grow from seeds or from shoot cuttings that can be simply stuck into the ground. It may take two years for a before a transplanted ocotillo starts growing again.
Plant Growth:
Ocotillos are native to desert climates so they do well with full sun. Thrives with intense summer heat and low humidity. They are frost tender when young. As ocotillo may go dormant for years at a time, you may need to check its status by bending a thorn until the skin breaks. If it is green and moist, then the stem the thorn came from is alive.
Ocotillos are native to desert climates so they do well with full sun. Thrives with intense summer heat and low humidity. They are frost tender when young. As ocotillo may go dormant for years at a time, you may need to check its status by bending a thorn until the skin breaks. If it is green and moist, then the stem the thorn came from is alive.
Blooming:
Ocotillos only bloom right after an irrigation event, but they may not bloom at all for up to two years.
Ocotillos only bloom right after an irrigation event, but they may not bloom at all for up to two years.
Soil and Irrigation:
Requires excellent drainage. During periods of little water, Ocotillos will drop their leaves to prevent excess water loss. Right after an irrigation event occurs, leaves and flowers will resprout. As long as the plant is getting water on an infrequent but regular schedule, it will keep its leaves. Overwatering is a bigger risk than underwatering, as it can cause the roots to rot and the plant to blow over in strong wind.
Requires excellent drainage. During periods of little water, Ocotillos will drop their leaves to prevent excess water loss. Right after an irrigation event occurs, leaves and flowers will resprout. As long as the plant is getting water on an infrequent but regular schedule, it will keep its leaves. Overwatering is a bigger risk than underwatering, as it can cause the roots to rot and the plant to blow over in strong wind.
Fertilization:
Fertilizer is unneeded if grown in its native habitat.
Fertilizer is unneeded if grown in its native habitat.
Pruning:
Pruning destroys the tips and hinders flowering as well as promoting unattractive, tangled growth.
Pruning destroys the tips and hinders flowering as well as promoting unattractive, tangled growth.
Pests:
Scale insects. Another problem is rust.
Scale insects. Another problem is rust.