Ocotillo
An iconic spiny desert shrub with tall canes, rain-triggered leaves, and brilliant red-orange flowers.
We’ll add photos of actual nursery plants and mature examples.
Keep your plant thriving
Full sun is ideal, with good airflow and room for tall canes. A sunny, open location encourages natural growth.
Once established in the ground, ocotillos are highly drought adapted. Recently transplanted or bare-root plants need careful establishment management: use the seller’s instructions, check actual root/soil conditions, and avoid leaving the root zone constantly wet. Leafless does not automatically mean dead or thirsty.
Ground preferred — large pots are temporary
A large grow bag can hold a nursery specimen temporarily, but ocotillos become tall, wide, and awkward to keep stable in a container. Plant in the ground for the long haul, away from tight paths.
Choose very well-draining soil; avoid sites where water stands. Do not bury the crown excessively deep when planting.
Typically 15–20 feet tall in favorable conditions, often with a broad vase-shaped spread. Plan for the footprint, not just the height at purchase.
Established ocotillos can tolerate significant cold, but recently transplanted or poorly rooted plants may be more vulnerable. Protect nursery specimens when hard freezes are forecast.
Usually not! Ocotillos grow leaves after sufficient moisture and shed them during dry periods, sometimes several times a year. Leaf production by itself is not proof that a bare-root transplant has established roots.
Good to know
Clusters of red-orange tubular flowers at cane tips attract hummingbirds.
Despite the spines and desert look, ocotillo belongs to the Fouquieriaceae family, not the cactus family.
Further reading: Plant care reference.
← Browse our plant care libraryCare depends on season, local conditions, plant age, drainage, and establishment. Cold tolerance varies; protect vulnerable nursery plants during hard freezes.