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Desert Christmas Tree

Also known as

desert Christmas tree, scaly-stemmed sand plant and purple sand food

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Pholisma arenarium

Genus

Pholisma

Family

Boraginaceae

Order

Boraginales

How to care for Desert Christmas Tree

💦 Water

How often to water your Desert Christmas Tree

Desert Christmas Tree 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 Desert Christmas Tree in your home

Desert Christmas Tree love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Desert Christmas Tree does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Desert Christmas Tree

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

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Desert Christmas Tree 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.

Desert Christmas Tree Water Frequency →

Desert Christmas Tree Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Desert Christmas Tree 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 🏡.

Desert Christmas Tree Light Requirements →

Desert Christmas Tree Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Desert Christmas Tree is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.

Is Desert Christmas Tree Edible? →

Desert Christmas Tree Toxicity to Cats →

Desert Christmas Tree Toxicity to Dogs →

Desert Christmas Tree Toxicity to Humans →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Desert Christmas Tree grows vertically and new growth will emerge from the top of the plant.

Desert Christmas Tree Lifecycle →

Desert Christmas Tree Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Desert Christmas Tree →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Desert Christmas Tree can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Desert Christmas Tree Temperature Tolerance →

Desert Christmas Tree Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Desert Christmas Tree →

When to Plant Desert Christmas Tree →

How to Plant Desert Christmas Tree →

Where to Plant Desert Christmas Tree →

Winter Care for Desert Christmas Tree →

Best Companion Plants for Desert Christmas Tree →

Is Desert Christmas Tree a Weed? →

🧐 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.