A rare native desert plant with low-branching, green, whip-like canes is the ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens). Ocotillos have a maximum height and width of 15 feet. It has beautiful orange-red, tubular flowers on top in the spring. They normally don’t have leaves for the majority of the year, but after a lot of rain, they do. Ocotillos shed their leaves during dry spells to lessen evaporative loss and maintain plant hydration. Ocotillos make a great accent plant for both residential and commercial landscaping because of their high level of drought tolerance.
Ocotillos are indigenous to parts of the Verde Valley, where they grow on mild to moderately steep slopes that face south. Their requirement for heat, well-drained soils, and relative sensitivity of frigid temperatures are probably to blame for this. Climate scientists refer to these foothill regions as “localized banana belts”. Ocotillos are said to be able to thrive at heights as high as 6,200 feet and can withstand temperatures as low as 0 degrees F. But I would advise looking for a warm location with well-drained soils.
columnaris), which is indigenous to remote regions of Sonora and Baja California in Mexico. The Boojum tree is widespread within its small area and occasionally grows in dense stands that cover flat plains or rocky hillsides, dominating the surrounding scenery. Ocotillo frequently grows in stands made up of numerous individual plants. Canes have been gathered in the past and used for fences. A live fence made of the canes that frequently took root, leafed out, and bloomed (do not harvest native ocotillo-they are protected by Arizonas Native Plant Law-more below).
Ocotillos are offered by a few nurseries. In Arizona, landowners have the authority to remove or destroy ocotillos (and other protected plants) growing on their property, but they must notify the Arizona Department of Agriculture 20 to 60 days in advance of doing so. Any plant growing on the property may be sold or given away by the proprietor. However, without a permit from the Arizona Department of Agriculture, protected native plants cannot be lawfully collected, transported, or even legally held from the growing location.
With the right care, these desert plants can be transplanted throughout the year, but from March to May, the best results are obtained. As with cacti, transplant the plant at its original depth and in its original direction. The plant’s original south side, which is now more tolerant of heat and sunlight, should once more face that direction, which is hotter. These desert plants grow well on well-drained sandy or gravelly loam soils with low to moderate organic content.
Large stones may be placed over the root zone to assist prevent the just transplanted ocotillo from toppling over or blowing over in a storm (2-4 inches from the trunk). The finest places are those that are sunny, open, unrestricted, and free of surface water accumulation. One can anticipate certain growth setbacks. However, ocotillos reestablish themselves pretty successfully when transplanted properly. When transplanting, it is neither necessary nor advised to cut back the tops of any cactus, agave, yucca, or ocotillo plants.
If you have the right environment and type of soil, ocotillos make great plants. Enjoy and value the natural ocotillo stands that exist in the Verde Valley if you don’t have space for one. Moreover, keep in mind to get in touch with the Arizona Department of Agriculture at 1688 W. Before digging or moving any cacti, agave, ocotillos, yucca, etc., check with Adams, Phoenix, Arizona 85007, (602)364-0935, agriculture.state.az.us for specific rules, limits, permits, penalties, etc.
Ocotillo: A succulent or not?
Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens, Zones 711) is a stunning desert treasure. When you are moving across the desert, it is impossible to miss this succulent plant, which is frequently mistaken for a cactus. Ocotillos often grow on hilltops, but they can also be seen along highways. On a recent cave tour, I learned that a hill covered in ocotillos can point to a limestone-based cave below. Ocotillos are referred to as “indicator plants” by cavers as a result.
A rare native
There are numerous more names for ocotillos, such as candlewood, coachwhip, and fiery sword. Despite being local, particularly in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan desert regions, they can be hard to find. Because ocotillos are protected, it is against the law to take them from the desert. Ocotillos recovered from building sites are occasionally offered for sale by neighborhood nurseries, and you might also locate them online.
Impressive size and color
Wild ocotillos can reach a height of 20 feet, while cultivated ocotillos will probably stay smaller at 10 feet. They need direct sunlight and prefer well-drained soil to grow. If enough moisture from the monsoons and/or additional irrigation is provided, they may have little green leaves during the spring and summer. An ocotillo may not begin to leaf out or exhibit any signs of growth for a year or longer. The blossoms that this plant produces from late spring to early summer are its most attractive characteristic. These flowers, which resemble brilliant red or orange tubes, bloom in groups at the stem ends. They beautifully contrast with the gleaming green leaves that run up and down the canes.
Transplanting is a delicate art
Ocotillos are ideal for xeriscape gardening because, once established, they are extremely drought tolerant and give height and color to landscapes. They can survive for extended periods of time with little or no precipitation thanks to their drought resistance. They can be grown in containers, but they won’t reach their full potential. Although ocotillos can be transplanted at any time of the year, the best time is from March to May. Make sure you transplant the ocotillo to the same growing depth and orientation, and to face it in the same direction as it did before. Additionally, only dig a hole that is as deep as the root system. The plant will always be more heat-resistant on the south side, which helps keep it from burning when it is transplanted. I developed this tested method after experiencing numerous failures. Another method I’ve learnt is to fill the hole with water after you’ve dug it and watch it drain. It is ideal for your ocotillo if the draining time is under an hour.
Steady irrigation till establishment
After transplant, irrigation of your ocotillo should be done with prudence. Like all succulents, your ocotillo will perish if you overwater it. In the summer, you water once each week, and in the winter, you water every other week. Don’t water if Mother Nature provides you with some free irrigation. When the ocotillo is established, or when it starts to leaf out, you can reduce how often you water it. Recall that this could take a year or longer. Once your ocotillo is established, you shouldn’t need to water it at all during the winter. After establishment, water it once every three to four weeks over the summer.
I wholeheartedly urge you to step outside the norm and locate an ocotillo in a sunny, unobstructed area of your yard. Although it is drought deciduous and can appear a bit bare for much of the year, you will be pleased you waited for the show when it leaves the ground and flowers. It is a genuinely remarkable succulent that will bring enjoyment for many years.
Interior designer Laurel Startzel also creates container gardens. She resides in Tucson, Arizona, and was formerly a co-owner of the container gardening company Denver Dirty Girls.
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Are ocotillo plants regarded as trees?
One of the simplest plants to recognize in the desert is the ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens). They are a huge shrub with long, unbranched, spiky stems that resemble canes and emerge from a small trunk. When the stems have enough moisture, little 2 inch leaves will emerge from them. From March through June, dense clusters of red tubular flowers sprout from the ends of the stalks.
The majority of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts include ocotillo. They can also be found from southern California to western Texas.
The precise age at which Ocotillo can live is a topic of significant debate. Although some research suggest they can live well above 100 years, a decent estimate is 60.
- Numerous more names for the ocotillo exist, such as Candlewood, Slimwood, Coachwhip, Vine Cactus, Flaming Sword, and Jacob’s Staff.
- The Ocotillo is frequently used as “fence” since its spines prevent passing by both people and animals.
Can ocotillo cactus be purchased?
Ocotillo lends color and wildlife to desert settings. Consider planting this unusual, multi-stemmed desert native, which will flourish in your area, if you reside in a hot, dry climate. With its long green stems and vivid red blossoms, the lovely ocotillo makes a lovely backdrop element and is also ideal for luring birds to your garden.
Invite Birds with Ocotillo
The ocotillo, which is indigenous to the hillsides of southern and central Arizona, starts flowering in April and lasts until July or August. The flowers, which are crimson or reddish orange, are tightly clustered at the ends of the stalks and put on a stunning display. The stems, called canes, emerge from the swollen base and can grow to 12 feet tall or more. They can lean nearly to the ground, slightly arch, or stand straight up. Expect to see birds flocking to your ocotillo, including hummingbirds, orioles, finches and other nectar lovers.
Remarkable Leaves
Small, dark green leaves of the ocotillo are arranged up the cane and are attached to the stem by a long leafstalk known as a petiole. Only when the soil is extremely damp will leaves appear on the plant; when the earth dries out, they will go rapidly. Drying leaves turn a rich shade of gold and can create a beautiful display on their own. Depending on how much rain falls in your location, you can find that the plant sheds its old leaves and sprouts new ones up to five times in a season.
Buying Ocotillo
Ocotillos are frequently offered without any root at all, or bare. Expect them to re-grow their root systems and take up to two years to become established. Ocotillo plants cultivated from seeds and marketed in containers with living roots are very common. These will establish themselves and expand quickly.
Planting Ocotillo
Planting time for ocotillo is pretty much always between April and May, though. Ocotillos that have just been planted require watering every two weeks during the first summer and every three to four weeks during the first fall. Continue watering bare-root plants according to this schedule until they begin to grow normally. For fresh plants, a monthly watering in the winter is sufficient. Water your established ocotillo about once a month in the summer and only during prolonged dry spells in the winter for plants in the hottest deserts.
Pruning Ocotillo
Only cut down dead or broken stems from your ocotillo plant to the base when the plant is not actively developing. Cutting high on living stems results in erratic, thin branches as opposed to the strong, single canes you need.
Why is it referred to as ocotillo?
What are those plants that resemble a clump of spiky, crooked dead sticks on the hillsides of the desert? They are ocotillos, one of the strangest and most unusual plants in the Southwest of the United States (pronounced oh-koh-TEE-yohs). Ocotillos are common and adaptive desert plants, despite their amusing appearance. From southeast California to western Texas and south into Mexico, they flourish in the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts. They flourish on a variety of soils, at elevations ranging from sea level to 6,700 feet, and in close proximity to a wide range of other plants.
Because they branch heavily from the base and then very sparsely beyond that, ocotillos have a peculiar appearance. The majority of the time, the stems lack leaves. However, following a heavy downpour, plants will be covered in clusters of 2 inch long, narrow oval leaves. Until the earth dries out, the leaves stay attached to the plant before falling off. Depending on the amount of rainfall, plants might grow and lose leaves four or five times every year. Ocotillos without leaves rely on the stem-bound chlorophyll for photosynthesis. Ocotillos, like other desert plants, make the most of their circumstances and endure the worst.
The plant’s name, ocotillos, derives from the clusters of vivid red flowers that grow at the tips of its stems. Ocotillo is Spanish for “tiny torch.” Depending on the latitude, plants only bloom once in the spring from March through June, and then occasionally in reaction to rains during the summer. The flowers are pollinated by hummingbirds. Ocotillos are a reliable food source even when other springtime plants don’t bloom in southern Arizona since they bloom while hummingbirds are migrating north. \ Few industries use ocotillos commercially. For living fences, the stems are occasionally trimmed and planted closely together. They are also employed as eye-catching ornamentals for cactus gardens and desert landscaping, but because they can only withstand freezing temperatures of about 10F, they cannot be used in places with harsh winters.
How is an ocotillo cactus grown?
Ocotillo has interesting architecture and amazing flower displays with vibrant red to pink colors. The ocotillo plant is a succulent with a 10 F cold hardiness rating and strong drought tolerance once established. (-12 C.). Ocotillo cultivation needs full sun and well-drained soil. When exposed to excessive drought, ocotillo plants frequently lose their leaves, but they regrow after spring and summer rains.
Ocotillo truly doesn’t require any particular care, and it is a simple plant to grow as long as the environment can offer plenty of sun and heat. Despite being grown in Phoenix and a few other places, the plant could be hard to find at a nursery. It is prohibited to take ocotillo from the desert because it is a protected natural plant. Plant ocotillo, cactus, and various succulents in a shallow pot to create a gorgeous desert display in your yard.
Your ocotillo plant may need six to twelve months to establish itself completely before it starts to leaf out and bloom. Then you can stop watering and let rain and dew provide the plant’s moisture. Ocotillo naturally develops in infertile locations, thus feeding the plants more than once a year is not necessary. Dead and broken canes are removed as part of ocotillo maintenance.
There aren’t many pests or diseases that affect ocotillo plants, but you should keep an eye out for scale and sucking insects, which you may kill using insecticidal soap.
How should an ocotillo cactus be watered?
The ocotillo is a low-water-use plant that has a great tolerance for drought. After being planted, it will need to be watered. Avoid overwatering the soil since it will damage the plant’s roots if there is too much groundwater present. Instead, water by misting the plant’s cane and maintain a wet environment in the soil.