Xena

Delosperma echinatum

Delosperma echinatum

• 
  Easy care
• 
  Most light conditions

• Xena likes...
  • 
    Light watering

    She doesn't need watering very often. Let her soil dry fully before you give her a drink.

  • 
    Bright light

    She’ll take as much sunlight as you can give her. She’ll live happily next to a window.

  • 
    Feeding

    In spring and summer, she’ll benefit from a liquid feed (diluted to half strength) once a month.

• Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Delosperma echinatum

  Nickname

  Pickle plant; Ice plant; Pickle cactus

  Air purifying

  Yes

  Plant height

  10-20cm

  Pet/Baby safe

  Yes

  Nursery pot size

  12cm

• About Pickle plant

  Although sometimes known as the pickle cactus, this is not a cactus at all. It just looks a bit like one. A native of the Eastern Cape of South Africa, this cute little plant usually grows at quite high altitude, which make it pretty tolerant of chilly temperatures.

  Growing in the wild to a maximum height of 50cm, it has chubby green leaves covered in tiny hairs. They look like little pickles, hence the name. In warm months, small yellow flowers might appear among the leaves (don’t be too disappointed if yours doesn’t bloom. It’s less common indoors).

  It’s very easy to look after. It likes a lot of light, but manages in light shade. Its water needs are low, so just top it up lightly when the soil is fully dry. In spring and summer, give it a monthly feed with liquid fertiliser to help it grow (make sure to use fertiliser made for succulents). And delicious as it may look, don’t be tempted to eat it. It’s not toxic, but it won’t taste great.

  Did you know?

  The botanical name delosperma echinatum means ‘prickly visible seed’. ‘Visible seed’ because its seeds are exposed when it fruits; ‘prickly’ because, well, look at it.