Welwitschia mirabilis
Welwitschia mirabilis
Welwitschia
★
Taxonomy
Family Welwitschiaceae · Genus Welwitschia
Description
Welwitschia mirabilis is a legendary desert plant from Namibia and Angola that grows only two leaves—ever. Those leaves fray and lengthen over centuries, creating a windswept, ribboned mound above a stout woody base. It’s astonishingly long-lived, incredibly slow, and best suited to expert growers in arid, high-light conditions.
Common Names
WelwitschiaTree TumboOnyangaLiving Fossil
Context
nativeRegion
Hyper-arid Namib Desert of Namibia and southwestern Angola, often within coastal fog belts.
usdaZones
10–12 (preferably under arid, protected, greenhouse conditions).
companionPlants
Aloe dichotoma, Euphorbia virosa, Hoodia gordonii, Lithops spp.
culturalUses
National symbol and conservation icon of Namibia; featured on emblems and stamps; prized in botanical collections and research for its unique evolution and longevity.
Care
Care Requirements
LightIntense, unobstructed full sun or high-PAR grow lights (12–16 h). Gradually acclimate seedlings/adults to prevent scorch.
WateringDeep but infrequent. Let the mineral mix dry thoroughly between waterings; much less in cool months. Keep seedlings just slightly moist, never soggy.
SoilExtremely fast-draining, mineral-heavy mix (e.g., 60–80% pumice/grit/coarse sand + 20–40% loam). Deep container with excellent drainage; slightly alkaline to neutral.
FertilizerSparing use only: very dilute, low-nitrogen cactus formula during warm active growth (monthly or less). None in winter.
HumidityLow (10–40%) with strong airflow. Avoid persistently humid environments.
TemperatureWarm days 70–95°F (21–35°C), cool nights 45–65°F (7–18°C). Brief, dry cold snaps near 32°F/0°C may be tolerated, but avoid frost.
Growth & Life Cycle
HabitWoody, low caudex with a taproot and exactly two persistent leaves that split and ribbon with age; dioecious cone-bearing gymnosperm.
Mature SizeCaudex 8–24 in (20–60 cm) tall, up to 3 ft (1 m) across; leaves to 6–13 ft (2–4 m) long, clump spread 3–10 ft (1–3 m).
Growth RateExtremely slow; decades to significant size and often many years to first cones.
BloomingProduces male or female cones (not flowers) seasonally in warm months once mature.
DormancyNo true dormancy, but growth slows markedly in cool seasons; keep drier in winter.
Propagation
MethodsSeed
DifficultyHigh—requires very fresh seed, sterile technique, strong light, heat, and excellent drainage.
Best SeasonLate spring to summer, when warm, bright conditions and airflow are optimal.
Maintenance & Notes
PruningDo not cut healthy leaf ribbons. Only trim clearly dead, tattered tips if necessary; avoid wounding live tissue.
RepottingSeldom; hates root disturbance. Use a very deep pot or tube. Repot only when necessary, in warm spring, keeping the taproot intact.
Pests & DiseasesMealybugs, scale, spider mites; damping-off in seedlings; root/collar rot from excess moisture or poor airflow.
ToxicityNot known to be toxic to people or pets, but not for consumption.
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