Photo: Scott Allen DavisCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Devil's Walking Stick Plant Care
Ovieda spinosa L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily recognized by its large, spiny leaves that add a unique texture to any collection. Originally from Madagascar, Ovieda spinosa is highly sought after by plant collectors for its striking appearance and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Devil's Walking Stick?
Plant Devil's Walking Stick in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 10b–12b) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Devil's Walking Stick Native To?
What Is the Devil's Walking Stick?
Devil's Walking Stick (Ovieda spinosa) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Ovieda genus. Devil's Walking Stick is native to the Island of Hispaniola in the West Indies. Devil's Walking Stick is also known as Angelica Tree, Hercules' Club.
Devil's Walking Stick displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Devil's Walking Stick produces small tubular flowers in shades of purple and white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Devil's Walking Stick?
Water a young or newly planted Devil's Walking Stick every 7–14 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Devil's Walking Stick Need?
Devil's Walking Stick thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Devil's Walking Stick Prefer?
Ovieda spinosa tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Devil's Walking Stick prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Devil's Walking Stick?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Devil's Walking Stick to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Devil's Walking Stick?
Feed Devil's Walking Stick 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Devil's Walking Stick?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Devil's Walking Stick is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.
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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Devil's Walking Stick?
Devil's Walking Stick can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 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.
How Do You Prune a Devil's Walking Stick?
Prune Devil's Walking Stick 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.
How Do You Care for a Devil's Walking Stick in Winter?
Devil's Walking Stick is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Devil's Walking Stick?
Devil's Walking Stick can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Devil's Walking Stick Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Devil's Walking Stick, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Devil's Walking Stick?
Devil's Walking Stick 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Devil's Walking Stick Need?
Devil's Walking Stick grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Devil's Walking Stick is native to the Island of Hispaniola in the West Indies. In cooler regions, grow Devil's Walking Stick as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Devil's Walking Stick is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Ovieda genus — compare its care with other Ovieda species on PlantoScan.
Ovieda is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Devil's Walking Stick thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ovieda spinosa L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 637 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Devil's Walking Stick, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Scott Allen Davis, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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