Mormon Tea Plant Care

Mormon Tea (Ephedra altissima) belongs to the Ephedraceae family within the Ephedra genus. Mormon Tea is native to the western Sahara, and also to the Canary Islands. Mormon Tea is also known as Jointfir, Ephedra.

Mormon Tea displays a low shrub, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Mormon Tea produces inconspicuous, small flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mormon Tea every 14–21 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.

Mormon Tea thrives in full sun.

Ephedra altissima tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Mormon Tea prefers humidity levels of 10–40%.

Sandy, well-draining soil with low organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Mormon Tea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mormon Tea every month 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 with low organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mormon Tea is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

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.

Mormon Tea can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 2 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 Mormon Tea 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.

Mormon Tea is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Mormon Tea can be propagated through seed propagation. Similar propagation techniques also apply to foliate ephedra plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Mormon Tea is susceptible to spider mites, aphids. 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.

Mormon Tea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Mormon Tea is native to the western Sahara, and also to the Canary Islands. In cooler regions, grow Mormon Tea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.