Does it need full sun?

Yes, it thrives in full sun but appreciates a little afternoon shade in very hot climates.

It is a tender perennial that is often grown as an annual in cooler regions.

Plant guide

Jewels of Opar.

Talinum paniculatum

Pronounced tah-LY-num pan-ick-yoo-LAY-tum

Also known as Jewels of Opar, fameflower, jewels-of-Opar, pink baby's-breath

Jewels of Opar is a charming, drought tolerant plant known for its airy sprays of tiny pink flowers and jewel like seed pods. It adds a delicate, whimsical touch to sunny garden beds or containers. This plant often self sows, so you will likely see new babies popping up nearby each season.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 60 to 90 cm tall
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early autumn

Care

Give this plant plenty of sun to keep the stems from getting leggy. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet. It thrives on neglect, so let the soil dry out well between waterings.

Watering: Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out completely before watering again.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back spent flower stalks to encourage more blooms and keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Repot in spring if the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Well draining, sandy or gritty soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 30 to 60%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
The plant stops producing new flower spikes.

Safety

People: This plant is generally considered non toxic, but ingestion should be avoided due to potential oxalate content.
Children: The small, bead like fruit may pose a choking hazard to small children if ingested.
Contact allergens: There are no known significant contact allergens associated with this plant.
Airborne allergens: The fine pollen may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: While the leaves are eaten in some cultures, ensure proper identification and preparation as some related species contain oxalates.

How to identify it

Succulent, fleshy, lance shaped leaves
Airy, branching panicles of tiny flowers
Shiny, jewel like reddish seed capsules
Small, star shaped pink blossoms

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: bright green, deciduous
Flowers: pink, magenta, 0.5 to 1cm
Fruit: red, black, Autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Root RotCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
MealybugsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: In colder climates, bring the container indoors before the first frost and keep it in a bright, cool spot with minimal water. If planted in the ground, it will likely act as an annual and die back completely.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided you use a pot with excellent drainage and a minimum size of 8 inches.

Seed Sowing

1. Collect the small, black seeds from the dried pods.
2. Surface sow them on a well-draining potting mix.
3. Keep the soil lightly moist until germination occurs.
4. Transplant seedlings once they have two sets of true leaves.

Pair this plant with other drought tolerant succulents to create a low maintenance, water wise display.

Grows well with

Portulaca · They share similar water and light requirements.
Sedum · These succulents provide a nice textural contrast.

Similar species

Flameflower · It is a closely related species with similar growth habits.

Science

Family: Talinaceae
Genus: Talinum
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical and subtropical Americas.
Conservation: This plant is not of conservation concern and is widely naturalized in tropical regions.

It grows in dry, rocky soils and disturbed areas where its drought tolerance provides a competitive advantage.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental border, container plant, edible greens, xeriscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: Yes, it thrives in full sun but appreciates a little afternoon shade in very hot climates.
Is it a perennial?: It is a tender perennial that is often grown as an annual in cooler regions.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Talinum is of uncertain origin, while the specific epithet paniculatum refers to the paniculate arrangement of its flowers.

Good to know

It is often called Jewels of Opar after a fictional city in Edgar Rice Burroughs novels.
The plant is highly drought tolerant once established.
It readily self seeds in the garden.
The flowers open only for a short time in the afternoon.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.