The Jericho flower, better known as the Rose of Jericho, is an extraordinary and very striking plant that we can grow at home without much trouble. It is a fern that has an incredible ability to cope with extreme droughts, which is why it is very easy to take care of it. In fact, having completely dried up, he is able to come back to life!
Undoubtedly, it is a very peculiar plant. If your curiosity is piqued, I recommend that you continue reading. In this article we will explain what is the Jericho flower and what are its basic care to grow it at home.
What is the flower of Jericho?
The Jericho flower has the scientific name Hierochuntic Anastatica, but it is also commonly called Rose of Jericho, doradilla or resurrection plant. It is mainly characterized by its easy cultivation and its incredible adaptation to extreme droughts. For this reason it is so easy to care for, so novices should not be impressed by its exotic appearance. But a rose is not so exotic, right? It is called Rose of Jericho because it bears some physical resemblance to this flower, at least before it opens.
The doradilla is a fern belonging to the family Brassicaceae and comes from desert regions of Arabia, Egypt and Palestine. In these places it has traditionally been considered a sacred plant with magical properties. For this reason it is not surprising that it was frequently used in divination or purification rituals. It should be said that it is a fairly small species that does not usually reach a height above fifteen centimeters.
We have already mentioned that the characteristic that makes the Jericho flower so special is its resistance to drought, but it turns out that it uses a very particular strategy to cope with it. When the weather is extremely dry, this plant retracts not only its aerial part, but also its roots, until it became a kind of dry and dead-looking ball.
Thanks to its round shape and its low weight in this state, the wind is capable of transporting it. In this way it manages to roll to more humid areas, where the plant will revive (hence it is also known as the resurrection plant). In a fairly short time it takes root again and regains vitality and color. The Jericho flower can make these changes even after several years in a dry state.
How do you care for the Rose of Jericho plant?
Now that we know what the Jericho flower is, let's see what care it requires. It really is a very easy plant to maintain, which makes it a an ideal species for people new to the world of gardening. Although the cultivation of this vegetable is quite simple, we will have to provide it with minimal care so that it can survive and develop correctly.
Let's start with a very important aspect when caring for plants: The climate and the location. Regarding temperatures, the Jericho flower is not very demanding. Although it is true that it adapts to almost any climate, the extremes do not go well at all for its development. For this reason, the location of the plant is so important.
It is best to place this plant in an area protected from wind, rain and extreme temperatures, whether they are warm or cold, at least during their early stages of growth. It should also be borne in mind that prolonged exposure to sunlight can end up drying out the Jericho flower. In order for it to maintain its green color, we must provide it with enough moisture.
With this we come to the next point: The light. Since the Rose of Jericho is native to the Arabian deserts, it can survive in full sun without this fact affecting its development. However, our preferences come into play here. If what we want is for our plant to look green and healthy, it is best not to leave it so exposed to sunlight so that it does not lose so much moisture. However, there are many people who like the Jericho flower to have a more desert and dry look.
Flor de Jericó: Irrigation, soil and fertilization
As we have already mentioned before, to get a nice green color, we must keep the Jericho flower moist. Therefore, the risks must be adapted to this aspect. But be careful: an excess of water can have very serious consequences for the plant, even drying it out. It is best to water it when the soil is completely dry.
Another aspect that must be taken into account for a correct cultivation of the Jericho flower is the soil, that is, the type of substrate. This vegetable has the ability to grow in acidic, sandy, clayey soils and even with a fairly low pH level. As you can see, it adapts to almost any type of substrate, thus facilitating the task. However, as with all plants, there is one type of soil that does better than others. To help you grow more vigorously, It is best to grow the Rose of Jericho in substrates rich in nutrients and containing natural fertilizer.
With this we come to the last aspect that we must take into account for a correct cultivation of this plant: The subscriber. When we must fertilize the land yes or yes it is in spring, but we can do it even once a month. Although it is true that this is not strictly necessary, it will help stimulate the growth and development of the Jericho flower. It is best to use organic fertilizers, such as compost.
You already have all the necessary information to be able to take care of a Jericho flower. Do not hesitate to try it, surely you will get a beautiful plant to decorate your home. And if it ends up drying out, don't worry, because you can probably get it back (it's the resurrection plant for a reason).