California Jointfir

Also known as

California jointfir, California ephedra, desert tea, Mormon tea and cañatillo

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Ephedra californica

Genus

Ephedra

Family

Ephedraceae

Order

Ephedrales

How to care for California Jointfir

💦 Water

How often to water your California Jointfir

California Jointfir 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 California Jointfir in your home

California Jointfir love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

California Jointfir does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize California Jointfir

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for California Jointfir: 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 California Jointfir after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

California Jointfir 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.

☀️ Sunlight Needs

California Jointfir 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 🏡.

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

California Jointfir 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. California Jointfir is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

California Jointfir will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
California Jointfir can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

🍂 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 California Jointfir, 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.