Ocotillo cactus (or Fouquieria splendens) is a one-of-a-kind native desert plant with low-branching canes. Ocotillos can reach a height of 15 feet and a width of 15 feet.
They bloom with brilliant orange-red tubular flowers in the spring. Ocotillos are usually leafless for the majority of the year. However, after getting enough precipitation, they develop a large number of leaves.
These exotic plants naturally grow in the deserts of Southwest US and northern Mexico, including Baja California. Ocotillo cacti are frost hardy, and, of course, heat tolerant, growing in all areas of the low, middle and high deserts.
Amazing, right? These beauties truly are worth our care and attention! If you agree and you’re curious about caring for and planting ocotillo cactus, read on to know all you need about growing this fascinating plant.
Table of Contents
Buying Ocotillo Cactus
Ocotillos are frequently sold bare-root, with little or no root at all. It may take up to two years for these to re-grow their roots and establish themselves.
You can find seed-grown ocotillo cactus in containers with a living root system that are commonly used. These will establish themselves and develop quickly.
The Perfect Soil For Ocotillo Cactus
Drainage is key when it comes to planting ocotillo cactus. And that’s the same reason why you don’t see ocotillos growing at the bottoms of many valleys.
Check to see if the planting space drains well or can be made to drain well. To do that, amend the soil with gravel and sand or use raised mounds.
Planting Process
Before planting ocotillo cactus, dig a hole twice the width of the root system, but never deeper! It must be planted at the same depth as it was when it was originally growing.
You can plant ocotillos at almost any time of the year, though the ideal time is in April or May. Newly planted ocotillos should be watered every two weeks during their first summer and every three weeks during their first fall. Continue this watering strategy for bare-root plants until the plant develops a growth routine.
Within the first 30 days following planting, don’t overwater your plant. Before the ocotillo cactus benefits from watering, its root system must be redeveloped.
Check out our article on How to Start Your Outdoor Cactus Garden here!
Misting
Ocotillos are hardy plants that bloom in the spring. These plants are considered drought-deciduous because they can put on leaves when there is enough water, and they’ll drop them when it is dry.
The age of the plant, as well as the quantity and length of reproductively active branches, are the main factors of blooming. We obviously have no control over them, so your best option is to make sure your plants are healthy by watering them properly.
To prevent your ocotillos from drying out, lightly mist the plant every few days during summer. This is particularly important during the first summer or during any hot, windy periods.
We recommend that you use rocks to weigh down the area surrounding the roots to keep it from falling over, as well as to preserve moisture.
Pruning
You shouldn’t face problems growing ocotillos as long as they receive a good amount of sunlight and heat. However, you can still enhance their beauty by pruning them.
Only prune damaged or dead stems in ocotillos. When your plant isn’t in the growing phase, cut back to the base. If you cut high on living stems, you’ll end up with thin, irregular branches instead of the desired single, sturdy canes.
Transplanting
You can transplant at almost any time of year, although the best results are attained between March and May. Ocotillos, like other cacti, should be transplanted to their original growing depth and directional orientation.
The original south side of the plant, which gets more heat and is more sun-resistant, should be turned back to face the hotter southern direction. You’ll need to be cautious when planting ocotillo cactus since transplanting large bare-root plants is often unsuccessful.
Irrigation Systems and Ocotillos Cactus
When ocotillos are first planted, they do better if they are not connected to an automatic irrigation system; neither water nor nutrients can yet be drawn up by the roots.
Spray the canes with water from above until they are saturated and you notice water building at the base, do that 1-3 times a week for the first summer.
Pests & Fertilizers
Once established, the ocotillos are free of most pests and diseases. Keep in mind that the ocotillo is a very seasonal plant that loses and gains leaves multiple times throughout the year.
Don’t be alarmed if your plant appears to be barren for long periods of time; it’s just ocotillos being ocotillos! Unless you’re growing it in a container, this plant can do without fertilizer (as it does in its natural habitat).
Root Establishment
When it comes to root establishment, ocotillo cactus can be annoyingly sluggish, taking up to two years before they start active development. Rely on misting as a primary watering method before root establishment, and always keep in mind that patience is your best friend.
Bottom Line
Nothing comes for free, especially when it comes to beauty. You have to work hard to plant and maintain the unique beauty of ocotillos. Though there’s a lot of work involved in this process (like planting and misting), ocotillos are considered a non-problematic plant compared to other plants.
It doesn’t have the issue of pests, it doesn’t require fertilizers, and pruning it is entirely optional. But remember, ocotillo cactus, like most cacti, takes a long time to fully grow, so if you’re a patient person and like the beauty of exotic plants, don’t be discouraged and start growing your own ocotillo!