Ottleya rigida Plant Care
Ottleya rigida (Benth.) D.D.Sokoloff
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Acmispon rigidus, synonyms Lotus rigidus and Ottleya rigida, is a flowering plant in the pea family (Fabaceae), native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. It is known as shrubby deervetch or desert rock-pea.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Ottleya rigida?
Water Ottleya rigida every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Ottleya rigida Native To?
What Is the Ottleya rigida?
Ottleya rigida (Ottleya rigida) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Ottleya genus. Ottleya rigida is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Ottleya rigida displays a vining, climbing perennial growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Ottleya rigida produces showy clusters of pink, purple, or white pea-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Ottleya rigida?
Ottleya rigida requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Ottleya rigida Need?
Ottleya rigida thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Ottleya rigida Prefer?
Ottleya rigida grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Ottleya rigida prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Ottleya rigida?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Ottleya rigida to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Ottleya rigida?
Feed Ottleya rigida every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Ottleya rigida?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Ottleya rigida?
Ottleya rigida can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hairy rattlepod plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Ottleya rigida Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Ottleya rigida, 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 Ottleya rigida?
Ottleya rigida 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 Ottleya rigida Need?
Ottleya rigida grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Ottleya rigida is native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Ottleya rigida as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Ottleya rigida 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 Ottleya genus — compare its care with other Ottleya species on PlantoScan.
Ottleya is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Ottleya rigida 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: Ottleya rigida (Benth.) D.D.Sokoloff, family Fabaceae (first published in Feddes Repert. 110: 95 (1999)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Ottleya rigida, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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