Plant ID card |
|
|---|---|
Botanical name |
Carpobrotus edulis. |
Common name |
Witch's claw, witch's finger, sea fig, edible ficoid, Hottentot fig. |
Origin |
South Africa. |
Dimensions |
Carpobrotus edulis grows up to 40cm tall but can spread over several square meters if planted in full sun. |
Foliage |
It is to its fleshy and persistent leaves that Carpobrotus edulis owes its name witch's claw. Indeed, its gray-green leaves resemble hooked fingers and measure around 10 cm long. They grow along creeping stems that can measure several meters. |
Bloom |
The large flowers of witch's claw are reminiscent of daisies, except that they are pink or yellow in color. They measure approximately 10 cm in diameter and close at nightfall. |
Fruiting |
In the fall, the witch's claw flowers give way to edible fruits. |
Exposure |
Very sunny throughout the year. |
Ground |
Light, sandy and well drained. |
Rusticity |
-3°C. |
With its fleshy leaves, generous flowers and rapid growth, witch's claw is a very decorative plant.
Whether you choose to plant it in a pot or in the ground, it will bring an exotic touch to your exterior.
Where to plant witch's claws?
Because they love the sun while being sensitive to frost and humidity, you should carefully choose the place where you want to plant your witch's claws:
Location:
whether you grow it in a pot or in the ground, reserve a bright and sunny location for
Carpobrotus edulis
.
It can also grow by the sea since it is a plant that tolerates sea spray very well;
Also as a ground cover:
thanks to its thick stems, the witch's claw is a creeping plant widely used as a ground cover, in the same way as the helxine.
In fact, it can quickly cover an area of several square meters.
It is also interesting for consolidating an embankment or a dune since it thrives in sand.
Also, because of its vigor, witch's claw is considered an invasive plant;
Soil:
to grow well, witch's claw needs to be planted in light, even sandy soil.
If your soil is too heavy, do not hesitate to add sand to lighten it.
Also, the witch's claw appreciates very well drained soil.
Indeed, the water risks rotting its roots.
Read alsoTop 10 succulents to choose for outdoors
How to take care of witches claws?
Witch's claw is an easy-going plant that requires relatively little maintenance.
Copyright (c) 2018 Gheorghe Mindru/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
If grown in conditions that suit it, witch's claw is an easy-going plant that requires relatively little maintenance:
Watering:
witch's claw is a plant that requires little water and tolerates periods of drought very well.
When vegetation resumes in spring, you can water it in small quantities in the event of a prolonged drought;
Pruning:
It is not necessary to prune the witch's claw, except to limit its progress.
Also, if you do not want to obtain fruit, simply remove the faded flowers gradually;
Diseases and Pests:
While witch's claw is a tough plant, it can be prone to fungus if overwatered.
Also, it can be targeted by the mealybug.
Does witch's claw freeze?
Witch's claw is a
not very hardy plant
that cannot tolerate temperatures falling below -3°.
This is why we plant it in the ground from May, when all risk of frost has passed.
If you do not live in a region with a mild climate, choose a pot culture to be able to shelter the Carpobrotus edulis when temperatures plummet.
Is witch's claw poisonous?
Its witch's claw fruits resemble figs and are edible.
Copyright (c) 2016 mizy/Shutterstock.
No use without permission.
Despite a scary name, witch's claw is not
a toxic plant
.
Its fig-like fruits are even edible.
They are also called “sea figs”.
They turn yellow when ripe and are prized for their tangy flavor, particularly for making jams.
On the other hand, its roots are so powerful that it can be invasive and therefore harm the biodiversity of the natural environments in which it is found.
Also read: Hanging succulent plant: 12 indoor plants with a “waterfall of greenery” effect
How to take witch's claw cuttings?
Witch's claw is simple to cut since it roots easily.
To do this, take a piece of stem of approximately 10 cm.
Then place it in a glass of water, wait for the roots to develop before planting it in the ground.
You can also place the stem end in
a mixture of sand and potting soil
that you water regularly to keep it moist.
When the roots are sufficiently developed, you can plant the cutting in a pot or in the ground.
When do witch's claws bloom?
The beautiful witch's claw flowers bloom
from May until October
.
Witch's claws are distinguished by their long flowering and the fact that its flowers bloom at the same time, forming a magnificent colorful carpet.