{"product_id":"pickle-cactus-3-pot","title":"Pickle cactus - 3\" Pot","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Pickle plant (Delosperma echinatum), often sold as 'Pickle cactus', is a low-growing succulent shrub from South Africa's Eastern Cape. Despite the nickname, it is not a true cactus but a member of the ice-plant family. Its small, oval, cucumber-green leaves are studded with soft white bristly hairs that give it a fuzzy, pickle-like look.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn good light it produces small, star-shaped yellow flowers. Compact and trailing with age, it suits pots, hanging planters, terraces and bright windowsills across India. It thrives on neglect, storing water in its leaves, and is happy in the warm, dry conditions of most Indian summers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA favourite for beginner succulent growers, it tolerates heat well, asks for very little water, and roots readily from cuttings, making it easy to share and multiply.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAizoaceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEastern Cape, South Africa\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20-30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20-30 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSlow to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlump green leaves covered in soft white bristles; evergreen\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYellow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpring to summer (warm months)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical and subtropical; frost-free\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright light; 4-6 hours of direct sun. Indoors keep at a sunny south\/west window; protect from harsh peak-afternoon summer sun.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow. Water only when the soil is fully dry, soaking then draining. Cut back sharply in monsoon and winter to avoid rot.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFast-draining gritty mix; use cactus\/succulent soil or potting mix amended with coarse sand and perlite.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThrives at 18-32 C. Tolerates heat well; protect below 5 C and from frost.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrefers low to moderate humidity; dislikes damp, stagnant air.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLight feeder. Dilute, low-nitrogen succulent fertilizer once a month only during active growth; none in monsoon\/winter.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimal. Pinch leggy stems to keep it compact and remove shrivelled or damaged leaves.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvery 2-3 years in spring, into a pot one size larger with fresh gritty mix and good drainage holes.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery easy from stem or leaf cuttings; let cut ends callus 1-2 days, then plant in dry succulent mix.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally pest-resistant; watch for mealybugs and aphids. Root rot from overwatering is the main risk.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGenerally considered non-toxic to cats, dogs and humans, but keep out of reach as a precaution.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;The Pickle plant is grown mainly as an ornamental for its fuzzy foliage and bright flowers.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;ul\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Decorative pots for sunny windowsills, balconies and desks\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Trailing accent in hanging baskets and shallow dish gardens\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Mixed succulent and cactus arrangements\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Low-water terrace and rockery plant in frost-free regions\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;Easy beginner succulent and a quick gift plant from cuttings\u0026lt;\/li\u0026gt;\u0026lt;\/ul\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;In the Indian summer, give it bright light but shade from the most intense afternoon sun on west-facing terraces to prevent scorching.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;During the monsoon, move pots under cover or onto a rain-protected sill and stop watering almost completely; soggy soil in humid weather is the quickest way to kill it. Always use a pot with drainage holes and a gritty mix.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u0026lt;p\u0026gt;In winter, reduce watering further and keep it in the warmest, sunniest spot. Spring is the best time to repot and take cuttings.\u0026lt;\/p\u0026gt;\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs the Pickle plant a real cactus?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. Despite the name \u0026amp;#039;Pickle cactus\u0026amp;#039;, Delosperma echinatum is not a cactus but a succulent in the ice-plant family (Aizoaceae). It is cared for much like other succulents.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water my Pickle plant in India?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater only when the soil is completely dry, then soak and let it drain. In summer this may be every 7-10 days, but during the monsoon and winter cut back to very occasional watering to prevent rot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the leaves shrivelling or falling off?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eShrivelled, wrinkled leaves usually mean underwatering, while soft, mushy, dropping leaves mean overwatering or poor drainage. Use a gritty mix, a pot with holes, and adjust watering to the season.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51256292671734,"sku":"PLT-PICKLECACTUS-P03-NA","price":99.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/nurserylive-plants-pickle-cactus-delosperma-echinatum-plant.jpg?v=1783923423","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/pickle-cactus-3-pot","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}