Desert Whitewood Plant Care

Desert Whitewood (Ochradenus baccatus) belongs to the Resedaceae family within the Ochradenus genus. Desert Whitewood is native to arid and semi-arid regions of the Middle East, North Africa, and into Iran and Pakistan. Desert Whitewood is also known as White Wood.

Desert Whitewood displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Desert Whitewood produces small clusters of white or yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Desert Whitewood 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 Whitewood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Ochradenus baccatus tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Desert Whitewood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Desert Whitewood 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 some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Desert Whitewood is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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 Whitewood can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 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.

Prune Desert Whitewood 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 Whitewood is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Desert Whitewood can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to socotran ochradenus plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Desert Whitewood is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. 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 Whitewood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Desert Whitewood is native to arid and semi-arid regions of the Middle East, North Africa, and into Iran and Pakistan. In cooler regions, grow Desert Whitewood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.