The pickle plant, Delosperma echinatum, is a distinctive succulent resembling tiny gherkins. This South African native is popular among enthusiasts for its interesting foliage and low-maintenance nature. Admired for its unusual leaves, it also produces delicate flowers, adding to its charm. Understanding these blooms and their care requirements reveals the plant’s full potential.
Understanding Pickle Plant Flowers
The flowers are small and daisy-like, often yellow or pale yellow. These blooms feature five petals and a contrasting yellow center, though some varieties may produce white, pink, purple, or orange flowers. They often emerge in clusters, contrasting with the plant’s cylindrical, bristly green leaves. Blooming occurs from late spring through summer, sometimes extending into fall, indicating a healthy and thriving plant. While foliage is the primary attraction, these blooms signify optimal care and conditions. The flowers open during the day and close at night, a behavior known as nyctinasty, following the sun’s cycle.
Encouraging and Maintaining Blooms
To encourage abundant flowering, provide ample direct sunlight. It thrives with several hours of bright, direct light daily, ideally near a south-facing window indoors or in a well-lit outdoor location. While it can tolerate some direct sun, intense midday sun, especially outdoors, might cause leaf scorching, so a balance is beneficial. Six to eight hours of indoor sunlight supports robust growth and bloom production.
Proper watering is another factor for encouraging blooms. As a succulent, it stores water in its fleshy leaves and prefers a “soak and dry” watering method. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot, which hinders flowering and overall plant health. Reducing watering during the plant’s winter dormancy period, along with cooler temperatures, can promote a more profuse bloom display in the subsequent spring and summer.
Temperature influences the pickle plant’s flowering cycle. They prefer warm conditions, between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Protecting them from frost, especially temperatures below 41°F (5°C), ensures their survival and ability to bloom. Providing a slightly cooler environment during winter dormancy, around 54°F (12°C), contributes to a more vigorous flowering period when warmer weather returns.
Light fertilization during the active growing season supports bloom production. A balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer, diluted to half strength, applied once or twice during spring and summer. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to salt buildup and damage the roots, and refrain from fertilizing during the plant’s dormant winter months. Using a well-draining soil mix, such as a cactus or succulent blend, and allowing the plant to be slightly root-bound further encourages flowering by creating a mild stress that prompts the plant to reproduce.
After the Flowers Fade
Once the blooming period concludes, the flowers will naturally fade. Removing these spent blooms, a process known as deadheading, helps maintain the plant’s tidy appearance. This redirects the plant’s energy away from seed production and towards vegetative growth or new flowers, potentially extending the blooming season. After deadheading, the plant does not require extensive post-bloom care adjustments beyond its regular regimen. As it transitions out of its peak flowering phase into cooler months, reduce watering frequency and cease fertilization to prepare for its natural dormant period. This allows the plant to rest and gather energy for the next blooming cycle.