No, it is notoriously difficult to maintain in cultivation due to its specific water and soil needs.

How often should I water it?

Very sparingly, as it is adapted to extreme desert conditions.

Plant guide

Welwitschia.

Welwitschia mirabilis

Pronounced wel-WIT-shee-uh meer-AB-ih-liss

Also known as Angolan Welwitschia, Namibian Welwitschia, Tree Tumbo

Welwitschia mirabilis — Photo by timharris (CC BY) via gbif

This desert survivor is a true botanical oddity from the Namib Desert. It only ever produces two permanent leaves that grow from the base throughout its long life. It is a fascinating addition for collectors who enjoy unique, slow growing desert plants.

Another photo of Welwitschia — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Difficult
Plant type: Gymnosperm
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 meters
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 11
Bloom time: Summer

Care

Provide extremely well draining, mineral rich soil and avoid overhead watering to prevent crown rot. Watch for fungal issues if the environment is too humid or stagnant. It requires a deep pot to accommodate its long taproot.

Watering: Water sparingly and allow the soil to dry out completely between sessions.
Feeding: Use a very dilute, balanced fertilizer only during the active growing season.
Pruning: Only remove dead or damaged leaf tips if absolutely necessary.
Repotting: Repot rarely, as this plant has a sensitive taproot that dislikes being disturbed.
Soil: Sandy, rocky, well draining mix
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
Temperature: 5 to 45°C
Humidity: 10 to 40%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for over 1,000 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots emerging from the bottom of the pot.
Stunted growth despite proper care.

Safety

People: There is no known toxicity in this plant.
Children: The plant poses no specific risk to children, though the sharp, woody edges of the cones should be handled with care.
Contact allergens: The leaves can be tough and fibrous but are not known to cause skin irritation.
Airborne allergens: There is no known respiratory risk associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

Two permanent leathery leaves
Deep taproot for desert survival
Woody, low growing central stem
Leaves split into ribbon like segments

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 1 to 3m
Leaves: green, brown, evergreen
Flowers: red, brown, 2 to 4cm
Fruit: brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: Spring
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a bright, warm location and reduce watering to a minimum during the colder months.
In containers: It is best grown in a very deep, narrow pot to accommodate its long taproot.

Seed

Sow seeds in a deep, well draining sandy mix.
Keep the soil barely moist but never waterlogged.
Provide high light and consistent warmth for germination.

This plant is best grown as a solitary specimen due to its unique and extreme environmental requirements.

Science

Family: Welwitschiaceae
Genus: Welwitschia
Order: Welwitschiales
Class: Gnetopsida
Native range: Namib Desert in Namibia and Angola.
Conservation: It is protected in its native habitat and wild collection is strictly regulated.

It relies on deep taproots to find groundwater and specialized leaf structures to capture fog.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: botanical curiosity, xeriscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 9/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 1/9
Nutrients: 1/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it easy to grow?: No, it is notoriously difficult to maintain in cultivation due to its specific water and soil needs.
How often should I water it?: Very sparingly, as it is adapted to extreme desert conditions.

Where the name comes from

The genus is named after Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitsch, while the species name mirabilis means wonderful.

Good to know

It is the only member of its family.
Some individuals are estimated to be over 1,500 years old.
It survives in the desert by absorbing moisture from coastal fog.
The two leaves grow continuously from the base while the tips fray and die.

Also in

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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.