Welwitschia mirabilis - 4"

An ancient desert gymnosperm endemic to Africa.

Two Permanent Leaves: The plant produces just two cotyledons and only two true leaves in its lifetime. These two strap-shaped leaves grow continuously from a woody base and never shed.

Tattered Appearance: Desert winds and sand shred the continuous leaves over centuries into multiple ragged, ribbon-like strips, making it look like it has dozens of leaves.

It thrives in the hyper-arid coastal desert conditions of Namibia and Angola, relying heavily on coastal fog and dew brought by the cold Benguela current meeting hot desert air.  Individual plants are among the longest-living plants on Earth, commonly living between 500 and 1,500 years, with some exceptional wild specimens estimated to exceed 2,000 years of age.

Light: bright indirect when young/ Mature plants can handle full sun

Soil:  use a fast-draining, mineral-rich, gritty, sandy mix containing very low organic matter (mostly quartz sand, pumice, and perlite)

Water: keep slightly moist. Do not let it dry out.

Fertilizer: slow release

Available as 2 year seedling. Well potted (not imported).

If you are ordering this to ship, choose NEXT day air.  Final Sale.