Desert Tooth Plant Care

Desert Tooth (Cistanche deserticola) belongs to the Orobanchaceae family within the Cistanche genus.

Desert Tooth displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Desert Tooth produces small, tubular flowers in clusters of pink, purple, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Desert Tooth 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 Tooth thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cistanche deserticola tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Desert Tooth prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Sandy, well-draining soil with low to medium fertility. Good drainage is essential for Desert Tooth to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Desert Tooth 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 to partial shade and sandy, well-draining soil with low to medium fertility. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Desert Tooth is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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 Tooth can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 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 Tooth 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 Tooth 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 Tooth can be propagated through seeds, division of root suckers. Similar propagation techniques also apply to desert hyacinth plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Desert Tooth is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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 Tooth grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Desert Tooth as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.