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Native Plant Society of Texas

Ocotillo

Fouquieria splendens

Other common name(s):

Devil's Walking Stick, Candlewood

Family:

Fouquieriaceae (Ocotillo Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Chihuahuan Deserts
Chihuahuan Basins and Playas, Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Shrub

Height

6
to
20
ft.

Spread

3
to
5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Gravelly, Rocky, Limestone, Dry

Light Requirement

Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

Red, Orange

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Nectar, Pollen, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Small Mammals, Nectar Insects, Hummingbirds, Bees

Maintenance

Drought tolerant. Will bloom only in dry air. Looks best as a specimen plant. Very dependent on good drainage. It is completely normal for plants to lose their leaves when transplanted from one location to another. Most plants re-establish and will show signs of leafing out within 6-9 months of planting. Makes a good security fence due to spines. Propagation: seed, cutting.

Comments

Blooms March-July. Ocotillo is a spiny shrub with many long, unbranched green stems growing from the base. Leaves are oval to oblong, with tips rounded or notched. Ocotillos are drought-deciduous plants. They drop their leaves quickly in times of prolonged drought or stress. The name Ocotillo means “little pine” in Mexican Spanish. Like a pine (ocote), its stalks produce a resin.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Fouquieria splendens ssp. splendens

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Stem Cutting In the Ground: Traditionally, propagating ocotillo has involved simply sticking wands in the ground. This technique generally has a pretty good success rate. If you want to give it a try, just cut several wands when they’re flexible and not stiff or hard. Gather them up in a bunch and wrap the bunch with twine or wire to make it easier to handle. Dig a hole at least 4 to 6 inches deep (10-15 cm.), then plant the bundle in the hole. Pack the soil firmly around the wands and stake it to help it stand upright. Water well, but don’t amend the soil even if it’s poor and don’t add fertilizer. Sit back and wait, as rooting can take months.In the Ground: Traditionally, propagating ocotillo has involved simply sticking wands in the ground. This technique generally has a pretty good success rate. If you want to give it a try, just cut several wands when they’re flexible and not stiff or hard. Gather them up in a bunch and wrap the bunch with twine or wire to make it easier to handle. Dig a hole at least 4 to 6 inches deep (10-15 cm.), then plant the bundle in the hole. Pack the soil firmly around the wands and stake it to help it stand upright. Water well, but don’t amend the soil even if it’s poor and don’t add fertilizer. Sit back and wait, as rooting can take months. Using a container: You can also plant ocotillo wands in a heavy pot filled with a sandy potting mix. Be sure the pot has at least one drainage hole. Strip the leaves off the bottom section that will be in the soil to prevent rotting and lop a few inches (8 cm.) off the top if the wands are too tall to stand upright. Put the pot in a sunny place and keep the soil slightly moist until new growth appears, which indicates the cuttings have rooted. Thereafter, water every couple of weeks during the first spring and summer, then cut back to a monthly irrigation in fall and winter. After the first year, ocotillo rarely needs water, although an occasional drink is beneficial during the hottest time of year. Choose ocotillo stems that produced growth last growing season, which are considered green softwood. The branches are still bendable, which tells you that the branches are still living. If the cane is stiff, cracks when bent and shows brown inside, then it is a dead stem. Check for insect infestation before singling out your branch and make sure the plant you select seems healthy and free of disease, Cut the top 6 to 8 inches of the branch off with a clean sharp knife. It is possible to take a larger cutting, but it must be supported in an upright position while rooting. Remove the leaves off the bottom 3 to 4 inches of the branch and set the cutting in a shady location until the plant pot is ready. 1) https://www.weekand.com/home-garden/article/propagate-ocotillo-18065749.php 2) https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/ocotillo/propagating-ocotillo-plants.htm
Seed No Treatment There are a couple of ways to accomplish propagation by seed. The simplest is to simply plant the seeds directly in the ground in a sunny, well-drained spot, and that’s basically all there is to it. Planting seeds in a container requires a bit more attention: Plant the seeds about an inch deep (2.5 cm.) in a pot filled with a sandy, well-drained potting mix. Place the pot on a propagation mat set to 95 degrees F. (35 C.) during the day and 70 degrees F. (21 C.) at night. Be sure the pot is exposed to plenty of bright light all day. Water as needed to keep the top one inch (2.5 cm.) of the potting mix slightly moist. Watch for the seeds to sprout within a couple of weeks. Once that happens, leave the pot on the warm mat for a couple of weeks, then move the pot outside into the bright sunlight. The new ocotillo plant is mature enough to plant in the ground once it develops spines. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/ocotillo/propagating-ocotillo-plants.htm

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason