The pickle plant is a rare and odd-looking little succulent that is both easy to care for and fun to have around in pretty much any home or office space. A kind of cactus, the Delosperma echinatum will attract prosperity to whatever space you place it in and remind you to let go of any negativity you may be harboring.
This article will help you understand your pickle plant better and think about ways to decorate with it, keeping your plant, and your home, lively and fresh.
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A Pickle Plant Is Good for Homes and Offices
It’s just too cute to pass up, really. That’s the best possible reason to buy and decorate with a pickle plant.
With leaves that look like gherkin pickles or even baby cucumbers and soft, fuzzy, white hairs that sprout from every leaf in abundance, you can’t help but want to reach out, pick it up, and bring it home with you.
And because it stays small in whatever little pot you plant it, the pickle plant can be set on virtually any shelf, end table, or even right on your desk without taking up too much space.
This adorable succulent is also an excellent source of air purification, removing up to 87 percent of toxins from your home.
Are Pickle Plants Good for the Feng Shui Flow of a Room?
As a succulent, the pickle plant is a natural prosperity plant. The symbolism around succulents is prosperity, luck, and removal of negative energies.
Because the pickle plant also blossoms little white or yellow daisy-like flowers in the spring, it adds a level of beneficence to the flow of your space.
The pickle plant is great for the feng shui of your office in particular as it helps to bring you closer to nature and encourages the flow of money into your energetic space.
To learn more about establishing feng shui and flow in your home or office, check out the master class article on how to use feng shui.
Are Pickle Plants Easy to Grow and Maintain?
The pickle plant is easy to grow and maintain as a small cactus that does not require much water and only asks for a dry, bright location. Your biggest problem may be overwatering it.
How Do Pickle Plants Grow?
The pickle plant is native to dry mountains and desert areas of Africa, and thus prefers a sunny spot in your home that is not too humid.
Because it is not frost resistant, it makes a great indoor plant in any region; just be sure it has well-drained soil.
To propagate a pickle plant, you can use a cutting from another pickle plant or start with seeds, but this approach is much more challenging. It is simpler to simply cut a stem from a mature plant and place it in healthy soil. Soak the cutting in the soil thoroughly and allow it to dry out. Your plant will grow in no time.
What Kind of Soil Does a Pickle Plant Need?
A pickle plant will grow well in porous and well-aerated soil that allows the plant to drain easily. Be sure also to drain all excess water from the pot upon each watering.
You can always seek out a slightly acidic succulent or cactus potting mix to be sure your pickle plant has the right start.
How Much Light Does a Pickle Plant Need?
Place your plant in a spot where it will get full sun. The brightest spots available in your home are ideal for your succulent, so seek out a sunny windowsill or a table or desk that is next to a window.
With enough light, your plant will bloom. Without it, you may watch it start to fade and refuse to blossom.
How Much Water Does a Pickle Plant Need?
The pickle plant does not want much water. About once every week and a half to two weeks, check your soil for moisture. Once it is fully dried out, then you can water it thoroughly again.
You do not want to let this plant sit in moisture.
The thick, fleshy leaves of the plant allow it to maintain moisture in between waterings.
It may need more water during hotter months, so just be sure to check your soil more frequently during those times.
Avoid making watering mistakes that can kill your plants.
Other Conditions that Are Important to a Pickle Plant
Be mindful that overwatering can lead to issues like root rot and pests, which can also simply settle in if you don’t pay close enough attention. Be vigilant about checking your plant regularly so you can stop any infestation before it takes hold.
You don’t have to worry about pruning your pickle plant as it does not grow rapidly or very large. Watch for dead or rotten leaves and remove them right away so they don’t spread disease to other parts of the plant.
If you notice your plant getting especially thick, you can cut off some of the stems and either give them as cuttings to friends or plant them in new pots for yourself. Thinning out your plant will also allow light to penetrate and encourage air circulation.
Pickle Plant Decorating Ideas
It’s small but cute, so keep it on a windowsill, on your desk, or on a table near a window, where it can be a conversation piece and bring you peace as you gaze at its lovely features.
The pickle plant brings a Southwest or even an African vibe to the décor of your home or office, depending on your theme and would look great in a clay pot with some interesting artwork on the outside.
Do Fake Pickle Plants Look Real?
The live pickle plant looks fake, so if you’ve killed one, or you’re worried about killing one, you can absolutely go fake with this plant without fearing it won’t look real.
Its natural odd shape and rubbery feel often fools people into thinking it is fake – even when it’s not. People will want to touch your live plant to test its veracity.
You can get away with going artificial with this plant and still get all the benefits of living in a space filled with greenery. And if you’re worried about not being trendy with fake plants, check out my piece on whether artificial plants and flowers are tacky.
At the same time, because this plant is so easy to care for, you can always give it a try and see if it works out. Of course, you can also buy both a fake one and a real one and compare the two, kind of hedging your bets, and see which you prefer in the end.
Have you had success decorating your space with a pickle plant? Alive or fake? Let me know all your tips and tricks for growing and maintaining a pickle plant in the comments below.
