West Indian Caltrop Plant Care
Tribulus cistoides L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tribulus cistoides, also called wanglo, the Jamaican feverplant or puncture vine, is a species of flowering plant in the family Zygophyllaceae, which is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun
65–85°F
30–60%
At a glance
How do you care for West Indian Caltrop?
Water West Indian Caltrop every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 30–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the West Indian Caltrop?
West Indian Caltrop (Tribulus cistoides) belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family within the Tribulus genus. West Indian Caltrop is also known as Farkleberry, Puncturevine, Burr Vine.
West Indian Caltrop displays a low mat-forming herb growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. West Indian Caltrop produces small yellow flowers with five petals.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a West Indian Caltrop?
Tribulus cistoides 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 West Indian Caltrop Need?
West Indian Caltrop thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the West Indian Caltrop Prefer?
Tribulus cistoides grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. West Indian Caltrop prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
30–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a West Indian Caltrop?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with gravel for good aeration. Good drainage is essential for West Indian Caltrop to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a West Indian Caltrop?
Feed West Indian Caltrop every 8 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 8 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 West Indian Caltrop?
Repot every 1-2 years in early 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 West Indian Caltrop?
West Indian Caltrop can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to caltrop plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the West Indian Caltrop Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list West Indian Caltrop, 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 West Indian Caltrop?
West Indian Caltrop 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 West Indian Caltrop Need?
West Indian Caltrop grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow West Indian Caltrop as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
West Indian Caltrop 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 Tribulus genus — compare its care with other Tribulus species on PlantoScan.
Tribulus is part of the Zygophyllaceae plant family — browse all Zygophyllaceae genera and species.
West Indian Caltrop 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: Tribulus cistoides L., family Zygophyllaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 387 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list West Indian Caltrop, 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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