Sand Devil's Claw Plant Care

Sand Devil's Claw (Proboscidea sabulosa) belongs to the Martyniaceae family within the Proboscidea genus. Sand Devil's Claw is native to Chihuahua in Mexico and New Mexico and Texas in the United States. Sand Devil's Claw is also known as Devil's Claw, Cat's Claw.

Sand Devil's Claw displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Sand Devil's Claw produces unique trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of orange and yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sand Devil's Claw 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.

Sand Devil's Claw thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Proboscidea sabulosa tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Sand Devil's Claw prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Sand Devil's Claw to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sand Devil's Claw 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 with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sand Devil's Claw 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.

Sand Devil's Claw can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 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 Sand Devil's Claw 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.

Sand Devil's Claw 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.

Sand Devil's Claw can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to desert unicorn plant plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Sand Devil's Claw is susceptible to aphids, 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.

Sand Devil's Claw grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Sand Devil's Claw is native to Chihuahua in Mexico and New Mexico and Texas in the United States. In cooler regions, grow Sand Devil's Claw as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.