Desert Holly Plant Care

Desert Holly (Anabasis eugeniae) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Anabasis genus. Desert Holly is native to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in Azerbaijan. Desert Holly is also known as Rock Purslane, Rock Myrtle.

Desert Holly displays a low, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Desert Holly produces small, inconspicuous flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 1.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Desert Holly every 10–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Desert Holly thrives in full sun.

Anabasis eugeniae tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Desert Holly prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite and gravel for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Desert Holly to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Desert Holly every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite and gravel for improved drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Desert Holly is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Desert Holly can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Desert Holly while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Desert Holly is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Desert Holly can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to desert anabasis plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Desert Holly is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Desert Holly grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Desert Holly is native to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in Azerbaijan. In cooler regions, grow Desert Holly as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.