The Pedilanthus macrocarpus, commonly known as Lady Slipper, is a slow growing plant that is part of a small genus within the Euphorbiaceae family. It is heat and drought tolerant, making it an ideal succulent for Arizona's low desert.When planted among globular and pad-stemmed cacti, its pipelike stems and lime green color well-complement the various shapes of cacti and other succulents. It looks especially nice planted in linear groupings. It is also looks good and does well in pots.
The P. macrocarpus can take full sun, however, in full sun the stems can change from their characteristic lime green color to a yellow. They do best in dappled shade. When planted in full sun, the stems remain upright; in shade the stems arch and curve, actually adding even more interesting contrast to surrounding plants. In the summer, red cyathia, supposedly shaped like a lady's slipper, appear on the stems. (I've looked at the cyathia from every angle and I just don't see any slipper resemblance!) Hummingbirds love the cyathia.
Although ideal for our climate, the Lady Slipper is not readily available in local nurseries, and when it is, it is a bit expensive. I was able to get only one plant a couple of years ago, but the two nurseries I frequent never have it in stock when I'm shopping for more. When a plant does well in our climate zone, it amazes me that the nurseries understock it, while they always seem to have dozens of plants that are very inappropriate for the desert. Those plants don't have a chance in hell of making it planted in the garden, and usually will not make it as houseplants because of the extremely low humidity. Someone must be buying them. I guess there's a sucker born every minute.
I guess that's how they make their money by selling plants that are unlikely to survive. A really interesting plant and information.
ReplyDeleteAny suggestions where this plant can be bought in Tucson? Jean
ReplyDeleteanonymous,
ReplyDeleteThese usually can be found in independent nurseries that specialize in desert adapted plants. The big box nurseries, such as Target, Lowe's, Home Depot and some of the chain nurseries normally do have carry them. Since you have about two more weeks to plant for this season, you'll need to find them soon, otherwise, look again in early spring.
This plant can always be purchased at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, AZ.
ReplyDeleteWhile it may be a bit of a drive the BTA's selection of arid appropriate plants is amazing! Since gas prices have dropped this is a great and relatively inexpensive way to spend a lovely Saturday afternoon.
Cactus nursery in Anthem (north Phx off of I-17) carries them. I just purchased 10 10gal containers at $25 each. They had plenty.
ReplyDeleteMy wife and I recently got 8 five gallon lady slippers to plant in a row in front of our patio. We got them from A&P on Baseline and Lindsay. They probably had 25 of them available, all very healthy. I should have asked how often to water them, I'm kind of guessing so I'll have to give them a call.
ReplyDeleteI just bought this plant at Desert Horizon's Nursery on Ellsworth and Pecos (in Queen Creek). They had many to choose from. But, one small plant is pricy ($12.95).
ReplyDeleteWhen is the best time to plant. I think they would be an interesting addition to my landscape. Right now, its end of July and the Lowe's store by me has them, which tells me now is OK?
ReplyDeleteSeptember to mid-October good months to plant if you are in the Phoenix area.
ReplyDeleteI bought a plant at the Desert Botannical Garden's Plant sale this year. It is growing and blooming beautifully. I have it in my front yard and want to repot it into a bigger, nicer pot but have no idea what kind of planting mix to use. Any suggestions? I should not have to disturb the roots, just place the clump into more "dirt".
ReplyDeleteYou could just replant into a larger pot easily enough by removing it from its current pot while preserving the roots. If you get it out, I would make sure the roots are not winding around the outside layer. If so, remove those gently and then place it in a larger pot with a mix of native soil and cactus soil 2/3 native, 1/3 cactus mix. Put some on the bottom of the pot, put the plant in and then fill in around the sides. Do not add more to the top--keep the same level. The plant will probably have some transplant shock and may lose its flowers, but should come back in a few months.
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