Does it need a lot of water?

No, it thrives on very little water and requires excellent drainage.

Why does my plant have no leaves?

It is likely dormant and will grow leaves quickly after a good rain.

Guide botanique

Ocotillo.

Fouquieria splendens

Prononciation foo-KEE-air-ee-uh SPLEN-denz

Aussi appelée ocotillo, vine-cactus

The Ocotillo is a striking desert shrub that looks like a bundle of thorny sticks for most of the year. It quickly sprouts vibrant green leaves after a good rain. You will love its brilliant red flowers that appear at the tips of the stems in spring.

En un coup d'œil

Niveau d'entretien: Facile
Type de plante: Succulent shrub
Lumière: Full sun
Lumière en intérieur: Soleil direct
Arrosage: Tous les 14 à 30 jours
Taille adulte: 20 feet
Croissance: Lente
Rusticité: USDA 7 à 10
Floraison: Spring to early summer

Entretien

Plant this in very well draining soil and keep it in a spot with intense sun. Watch for shriveled stems as a sign it needs a deep soak, but be careful not to overwater during its dormant phase. It is perfectly adapted to harsh, dry conditions.

Arrosage: Water deeply only during the active growing season when the soil is completely dry.
Engrais: Use a low nitrogen, cactus specific fertilizer sparingly during the spring.
Taille: Only remove dead or damaged stems during the late winter before new growth begins.
Rempotage: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its container, using a heavy pot to prevent tipping.
Sol: Sandy or rocky, fast draining
pH du sol: 6.0 to 8.0
Température: -10 à 45°C
Humidité: 10 à 40%
Résistance à la sécheresse: Élevée
Durée de vie: Perennial, can live for over 100 years.
Résistance aux chevreuils et lapins: Élevée

Signes qu'il faut rempoter

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Plant becoming top heavy.

Sécurité

Humains: The plant is not known to be toxic, but its sharp spines pose a significant physical injury risk.
Enfants: Keep children away from the plant due to the extremely sharp and rigid spines that can cause serious injury.
Allergènes de contact: The sharp, woody spines can cause deep puncture wounds and skin irritation.
Allergènes aéroportés: There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Comestibilité: The plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

Comment l'identifier

Long, slender, spiny gray stems
Small, oval green leaves after rain
Bright red, tubular terminal flower clusters
Distinctive candelabra growth habit

Hauteur: 2 à 6m
Envergure: 1 à 3m
Feuilles: green, deciduous
Fleurs: red, 1 à 2cm
Fruits: brown, Late summer

Problèmes courants

Root rot — Occurs when the soil remains too wet for too long.

La cultiver

Multiplication: cuttings, seed
Quand planter: spring, early autumn
Hivernage: Keep the plant dry during winter months to prevent rot. Ensure it is protected from extreme, prolonged freezing temperatures.
En pot: It can be grown in a large, heavy pot with excellent drainage, but it prefers being in the ground.

Cuttings

Take a hardwood cutting during the dormant season.
Allow the cut end to callus for several weeks in a dry, shaded area.
Insert the callused end into a well draining, sandy potting mix.
Keep the soil barely moist until roots establish.

Group with other desert natives that require minimal irrigation to prevent accidental overwatering.

Bonnes associations

Creosote bush — They share the same arid habitat requirements.
Encelia farinosa — It provides a nice color contrast and thrives in similar conditions.

Espèces similaires

Arbre de Boojum — It is a related species with a unique, tall, columnar growth habit.

Science

Famille: Fouquieriaceae
Genre: Fouquieria
Ordre: Ericales
Classe: Magnoliopsida
Région d'origine: Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts of the Southwestern United States and Mexico.
Préservation: It is not currently endangered, but wild collection is strictly regulated in many areas.

It survives by rapidly producing leaves after rainfall and shedding them quickly during drought.

Intérêt pour la faune: nectar source
Pollinisateurs: colibris, abeilles
Utilisations: ornamental desert landscaping, xeriscaping, wildlife gardens

Au fil des saisons

JFMAMJJASOND

Floraison

Fructification

Feuillage

Repères écologiques

Salinité: 2/9
Réaction du sol: 7/9
Lumière: 9/9
Température: 8/9
Humidité: 1/9
Nutriments: 2/9

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Does it need a lot of water?: No, it thrives on very little water and requires excellent drainage.
Why does my plant have no leaves?: It is likely dormant and will grow leaves quickly after a good rain.

D'où vient le nom

The genus honors Pierre Fouquier, a French physician, while the species name splendens refers to its brilliant red flowers.

Bon à savoir

It is often called the Ocotillo, which is a Spanish diminutive of the word for pine.
The stems can remain dormant and leafless for long periods until rain arrives.
It is a master of water conservation in harsh desert environments.

Aussi dans

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Cette page est un guide général. Pocket Botanist diagnostique les problèmes directement à partir d'une photo de ta plante, adapte l'arrosage à sa luminosité et te prévient quand il faut t'en occuper.

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Ce guide a été généré par IA et vérifié avec la taxonomie du GBIF. Il s'agit d'informations générales, et non de conseils horticoles ou vétérinaires. Découvre comment nous concevons ces guides.