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Pickle plants, also known as Delosperma Echinatum, are unique-looking succulents native to South Africa. They have a distinctive appearance that resembles tiny pickles because of their cylindrical, finger-like stems with tiny white spines. Pickle plants can make a fun and interesting addition to your garden or as a house plant.
Despite their prickly appearance, their leaves are actually soft to the touch. This succulent is easy to maintain and is also very compact as it doesn’t grow much vertically, but it does spread horizontally if you’re growing it in the ground. These succulents also produce little yellow or white flowers in the spring which resemble dandelions.
In this post, we’ll discuss how to grow and care for pickle plants.
| Common name | Pickle plant |
| Botanical name | Delosperma Echinatum |
| Plant type | Perennial succulent |
| Mature size | 25cm tall (10 inches), 60-90cm wide (2-3 ft) |
| Native area | South Africa |
| Hardiness zones | 9-11 |
| Sunlight | Full/partial sun |
| Soil | Well-draining, sandy succulent mix |
| Soil pH | 6-7 |
| Bloom time | Spring, early summer |
| Flower color | yellow, white |
Pickle Plant Care
Light
These succulents are sun-loving, if they do not receive enough light, they will grow tall and spindly. To prevent this, place your plant near a south-facing window where it can get plenty of indirect sunlight.
In warmer climates, these succulents can be grown outdoors and should receive about 6-8 hours of sunlight each day. It’s important to protect the plant from too much direct sunlight, as this can damage the leaves.
Water
Like other succulents, pickle plants only need to be watered once in two weeks or when the top layer of soil dries out completely. In the winter, you can cut back on watering to just once a month.
Pickle plants are good at handling drought, so it’s better to water them less rather than more. Giving them too much water can cause fungal issues and root rot, which can make the leaves turn yellow and mushy.
Soil and Fertilizer
Plant pickle plants in a well-draining succulent/cactus potting mix. Or, you can make your own by mixing equal parts of potting soil with perlite or sand for good drainage.
You do not need to fertilize often, but if you do, fertilize during the growing season (spring and summer) with a dilute balanced liquid fertilizer for houseplants. Be cautious of over-fertilizing, and during the winter you do not need to fertilize at all as the plants go dormant.
Temperature and Humidity
Pickle plants are native to South Africa where they grow in dry and hot conditions. The plant does best in temperatures between 21-32°C (70-90°F). It can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, but be sure to protect it from the frost in the winter.
Humidity levels should be kept moderate, as this plant is not a fan of high humidity. You can achieve this by providing lots of sunlight and good air circulation by keeping windows open.
Pruning
Pruning is not necessary if kept as a house plant, but if you are growing the plant outdoors, it is beneficial to prune during the spring. Pruning not only contributes to the plant’s health but also helps in shaping and enhancing its look.
To maintain the plant’s appearance and health, frequently remove any brown or mushy leaves and deadhead flowers.
Propagating Pickle Plants
Pickle plants can be easily propagated through leaf cuttings:
- Start by carefully removing a healthy leaf from the mother plant.
- Let the cutting dry and form a callus over a few days in a warm, dry location to prevent rotting.
- Once the cutting has formed a callus, plant it in a well-draining succulent mix and lightly water.
- Place the cutting in a sunny location with lots of indirect sunlight and keep the soil slightly moist but not waterlogged.
With proper care and attention, the cutting should develop roots within a few weeks and start growing into a new pickle plant!
Overwintering
If you live in hardiness zones 9 and above, you can leave your succulent to overwinter outside. Otherwise, bring it indoors during the winter to protect it from frost, as pickle plants do not do well in temperatures under 10°C/50°F. During the winter, only water your plant if the soil is completely dry to reduce the risk of root rot. Fertilization is not needed during the winter.
Repotting
You only need to repot pickle plants when they outgrow their containers, which would be about once every 2-3 years due to their slow growth. When repotting, choose a slightly larger container with plenty of drainage holes and use a well draining succulent/cactus mix.
Common Pests and Diseases
Pickle plants are usually trouble-free and generally resistant to most pests and diseases. However, like any plant, they can still be affected.
One common pest that can target them is mealybugs, which are small insects that look like white, cotton-like clusters on the leaves. To address mealybugs, you can manually remove them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or apply neem oil spray to the affected areas.
Another issue that you may encounter is root rot. This causes the leaves to turn yellow and mushy. Root rot occurs because of overwatering or poor drainage. To prevent it, ensure that you’re using well-draining soil and water your plant sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
FAQ
How often do you fertilize pickle plants?
Fertilize only during the growing season (spring and summer) about once a month. During the winter, the plant goes dormant so there is no need to fertilize.
Are pickle plants perennials?
Yes, they are perennials and can live up to 10 years if taken care of properly.
Why is my pickle plant squishy?
If your plant’s leaves have become squishy and yellow, it’s most likely due to root rot caused by overwatering. To save your plant, reduce watering and let the soil completely dry out before watering again. Also, remove all of the damaged and squishy leaves.
Do pickle plants bloom?
Yes, they do bloom during spring and summer. The small flowers are either yellow or white depending on the variety.
