Welwitschia Plant Care
Welwitschia mirabilis Hook.f.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Welwitschia is a monotypic genus of gnetophytes containing only the species Welwitschia mirabilis. It is named after the Austrian botanist Friedrich Welwitsch, who documented the plant in the 1850s.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun
50–90°F
10–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Welwitschia?
Plant Welwitschia in full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 14–21 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C).
What Is the Welwitschia?
Welwitschia (Welwitschia mirabilis) belongs to the Welwitschiaceae family within the Welwitschia genus. Welwitschia is native to Angola and Namibia. Welwitschia is also known as Living Fossil.
Welwitschia displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Welwitschia produces cone-like structures rather than typical flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Welwitschia?
Water a young or newly planted Welwitschia 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Welwitschia Need?
Welwitschia thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Welwitschia Prefer?
Welwitschia mirabilis tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Welwitschia prefers humidity levels of 10–60%.
Temperature
50–90°F
Humidity
10–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Welwitschia?
Sandy, well-draining soil with low organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Welwitschia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Welwitschia?
Choose a spot with full sun and sandy, well-draining soil with low organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Welwitschia is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Welwitschia?
Welwitschia can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 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.
How Do You Prune a Welwitschia?
Prune Welwitschia 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.
How Do You Care for a Welwitschia in Winter?
Welwitschia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Welwitschia?
Welwitschia can be propagated through seeds.
Is the Welwitschia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Welwitschia, 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 Welwitschia?
Welwitschia is susceptible to mealybugs, scale insects. 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 Welwitschia Need?
Welwitschia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Welwitschia is native to Angola and Namibia. In cooler regions, grow Welwitschia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Welwitschia 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 Welwitschia genus — compare its care with other Welwitschia species on PlantoScan.
Welwitschia is part of the Welwitschiaceae plant family — browse all Welwitschiaceae genera and species.
Welwitschia 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: Welwitschia mirabilis Hook.f., family Welwitschiaceae (first published in Gard. Chron. 1862: 71 (1862)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Welwitschia, 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 12a, 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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