Hedgethorn

Also known as

Forest Num-num, Fork-spined Carissa and Karoo Num-num

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Carissa bispinosa

Genus

Carissa

Family

Apocynaceae

Order

Gentianales

How to care for Hedgethorn

💦 Water

How often to water your Hedgethorn

Hedgethorn needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Hedgethorn in your home

Hedgethorn love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Hedgethorn does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Hedgethorn in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Hedgethorn

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Hedgethorn: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Hedgethorn after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Why's he dropping leaves? My #natalplum has dropped a few leaves yesterday, hadn't hey all look like this? All have this brown in the middle and is in generel very bendy and soft?? (the two brown dots are from my fingers pressing down on it.)

Browse #Carissa

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Hedgethorn prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Hedgethorn Water Frequency →

Hedgethorn Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Hedgethorn requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Hedgethorn Light Requirements →

Hedgethorn Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Hedgethorn is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Hedgethorn is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Hedgethorn can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Hedgethorn Temperature Tolerance →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Hedgethorn, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.