Desert Five Spot Plant Care

Desert Five Spot (Dimorphocarpa wislizeni) belongs to the Brassicaceae family within the Dimorphocarpa genus. Desert Five Spot is native to western North America. Desert Five Spot is also known as Wislizenus's Desert Five Spot.

Desert Five Spot displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Desert Five Spot produces small white or yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Desert Five Spot every 7–10 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 Five Spot thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Dimorphocarpa wislizeni tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Desert Five Spot prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Desert Five Spot to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Desert Five Spot 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 well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Desert Five Spot is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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 Five Spot can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Five Spot 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 Five Spot is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Desert Five Spot can be propagated through seeds.

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

Desert Five Spot is susceptible to aphids, cabbage worms, flea beetles. 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 Five Spot grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Desert Five Spot is native to western North America. In cooler regions, grow Desert Five Spot as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.