Spiny Emex Plant Care

Spiny Emex (Emex spinosa) belongs to the Polygonaceae family within the Emex genus. Spiny Emex is native to the warmer parts of the Old World. Spiny Emex is also known as Spine Medick, Devil's Thorn, Cat's Head.

Spiny Emex displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Spiny Emex produces small greenish flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Spiny Emex 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.

Spiny Emex thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Emex spinosa tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Spiny Emex prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Good drainage is essential for Spiny Emex to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Spiny Emex every 8 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 with low fertility. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Spiny Emex 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.

Spiny Emex 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 Spiny Emex 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.

Spiny Emex 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.

Spiny Emex can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spiny emex plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Spiny Emex is susceptible to no common pests known. 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.

Spiny Emex grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Spiny Emex is native to the warmer parts of the Old World. In cooler regions, grow Spiny Emex as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.