If you’ve never heard of pickle plants, you’re not alone. I remember stumbling onto these extraterrestrial-looking succulents at my local nursery. They were strange, soft, and almost adorable. They also reminded me of their namesake, minus the dill and brine. 

Pickle plants are sun-loving succulents with leaves that resemble tiny cucumber pickles called gherkins. They have fuzzy white hairs protruding from bumps in their shiny green skin. When the sun shines on them, they glisten like tiny shards of glass. 

If you love growing succulents, pickle plants will make the perfect addition to your garden. They are relatively easy to grow and make great container specimens. Combine them with other succulents or try growing them as unique centerpieces. Read on below to learn how to plant, grow, and care for these cute yet slightly odd looking succulents. 

What Is It?

These small succulents have thick, juicy, gherkin-like leaves covered in fine white hairs.

Pickle plants are small succulents that grow small clusters of thick foliage. They have juicy leaves that resemble gherkins or tiny cucumber pickles. Tiny white hairs cover each leaf and make a glistening surface in the sun. 

Like other succulents, they tolerate dry conditions and are quite drought tolerant. They produce small flowers in the summer that look like tiny daisies. They can be purple, pink, yellow, orange, white, or red. 

The Scottish botanist Francis Masson brought them to England in the late 18th century. Today, they go by other names such as ice plants and hedgehog sheepfigs. Compared to other succulent varieties, they’re still relatively rare and hard to find in most nurseries. 

Characteristics

They thrive in zones 9-11, need little care, and attract pollinators with tiny summer flowers.

These succulents have thick, juicy leaves and grow as evergreen perennials in zones 7 to 10. They grow well with other species and don’t require much watering or fertilization. 

In the summer, they produce small flowers that attract beneficial pollinators. Grow them in containers or garden beds for drought-tolerant ground cover. 

The foliage is non-toxic, making it suitable if you have pets. If you touch its leaves, they feel somewhat like velvet. If you shine a light on them or keep them in the sun, their delicate white hairs sparkle. 

Native Area

Native to South Africa’s Eastern Cape, they tolerate long droughts due to their Mediterranean climate.

Pickle plants are native to the dry hills of South Africa’s Eastern Cape. The region has a Mediterranean climate and is prone to droughts. Because of their native range, they can tolerate long periods of drought conditions. 

These succulents thrive in zones 7 to 10. They prefer low humidity and rain and can’t tolerate overly moist soil. If you live in places such as Southern California and Arizona, you’ll be able to grow them outside with little trouble. 

Planting

Their bushy growth makes them perfect for ground cover, small hedges, or easy propagation.

These novelty succulents are suitable for containers or garden beds. Their bushy growth can be used to create small hedges or groundcover. They are easy to propagate and grow from seed. 

Transplanting

Transplant by moving the root ball to a slightly larger pot with proper drainage holes.

Most starters are already growing in a suitable container. To transplant them to another container, simply dig up the root ball and plant in a container slightly larger than the previous one. Pickle plants don’t mind growing in crowded conditions, as long as there are enough drainage holes in their containers. 

They are easy to transplant directly into the ground as long as they get enough direct sunlight. To avoid transplant shock, give them a little water the day before moving them. 

Growing From Seed

Collect tiny seeds carefully and use a germination tray or mist lightly for sprouting.

Like other succulents, you can grow pickle plants by seed. This is less common because the plant propagates easily by division. 

Let your small daisy-like flowers go to seed. They’re very tiny, so handle them with care. Use a germination tray so you can water from the bottom. Or apply a light amount of mist daily. 

Keep the soil medium wet and plant them on the surface. Keep the soil moist until you see the tiny rosettes form. 

How to Grow

These succulents thrive with minimal water, plenty of sunlight, and well-draining soil in containers.

If you’ve ever grown succulents before, you’ll find these varieties incredibly easy. As long as you refrain from watering them too much and give them enough sunlight, they’ll thrive. Plant them in garden beds or containers indoors. 

Light

Place them in direct sunlight, whether indoors near a south-facing window or outdoors.

Pickle plants need full sun. If you’re growing them outdoors, plant them in direct sun. They can survive with a little shade or fog around coastal regions. 

Keep your indoor succulents next to large south-facing windows with direct sunlight. They won’t survive in indoor locations away from light. 

If you live in cold, northern locations, don’t worry. Grow them under grow lights when the temperatures get cold and the days get shorter. In the summer, move them outdoors to a location protected from rain. 

Water

Water thoroughly, then wait until the soil dries completely to avoid root rot.

Watering pickle plants is sometimes the most crucial step to getting them to thrive. Too much water and they will die from root rot. Too little will cause them to lose their luster and form. 

The trick is giving them a good watering and waiting until the soil dries out before watering them again. Use containers or beds with good drainage. 

Cut back on watering a little once the weather gets colder in winter. If you see the leaves lose their plump, juicy form, increase your watering schedule. 

Overwatered specimens will show signs of edema. This is when the plump leaves can’t hold any more water and they eventually burst. The wounds can be gateways to diseases and infections. 

Soil

Use a cactus mix with perlite, vermiculite, sand, and compost for healthy growth.

Like other succulents, these tiny ornamental perennials thrive in well-drained cactus mix. Make sure around a quarter of the mixture is perlite or vermiculite. Use sand to improve coarseness and drainage of richer soils. Add a little compost to increase the organic material. 

As far as pH goes, these succulents don’t mind slightly basic or acidic soils. Try making your own cactus mix out of 1 part sand, 1 part perlite or vermiculite, and 2 parts potting mix. Try amending it with coconut coir. 

Temperature and Humidity

They don’t tolerate freezing temperatures, so keep them warm during colder months.

Keep your plants in low-humidity. Outdoor plants can handle winter fog, but as the temperatures rise, the air should be nice and dry. 

Delosperma echinatum can’t handle freezing temperatures very well. In their native environment, temperatures barely drop below freezing. If they do, it’s during the early hours of the morning before the mid-latitude sun heats the air. 

If you’re due for a freeze, bring your plants indoors for the night. Cover outdoor plants with a homemade cold frame. If you live in zones below zone 7, you’ll have to bring your plants indoors for the winter. 

Fertilizing

Fertilize once yearly in early spring with seaweed-based or balanced NPK fertilizer for new growth.

If you grow your succulents in containers indoors, try supplementing their nutrients with fertilizer. Outdoor plants may not need the extra boost that fertilizers provide. However, you can give your succulents a little extra nutritional help. 

Fertilize your succulents once a year with an organic seaweed-based fertilizer or balanced NPK product. NPK stands for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients form the backbone of plant nutrition. 

The best time to feed them is early to mid-spring after the temperatures have risen. This is just before your plants start to put on new growth. The extra energy will help them put on healthy new foliage. 

Maintenance

These low-maintenance succulents rarely need pruning unless showing disease, stress, or damaged leaves.

Pickle plants don’t require heavy maintenance. As long as they look healthy, you barely have to touch them. They are slow growers and rarely need pruning. 

If you see any signs of disease or stress, remove the damaged leaves. Always use disinfected pruners to clear away the foliage. Make clean cuts just above the leaf nodes. 

Thin out overcrowded plants, especially in containers. Whatever you do, don’t throw away the trimmings! You can use them to propagate new plants to grow at home or give away as gifts. 

Propagation

Easily propagate them through cuttings or division to expand your collection or gift to others.

Succulents like these are easy to propagate by cuttings or by division. This is perfect for building up your succulent garden or making gifts for green-thumbed friends and family. 

Cuttings

Take a 5-inch stem cutting, let it callus, then plant in soil to root.

Find a healthy stem with good coloration and lots of shiny white hairs. With disinfected pruners, take a cutting at the base. Make sure it’s around 5 inches, with plenty of leaves. Remove the bottom leaves. Place the cutting in a dry area out of direct sunlight and let it callus. Once you see a callus, stick it in the soil. In a few weeks, give it a gentle tug to see if the roots are taking hold. 

Instead of stem cuttings, you can also grow new rosettes from the leaves. Tug on the leaf base gently. They should come off easily. Leaves in the middle of the stem work the best. 

Once you have your leaves, place them on top of a dry cactus mix. In a few days, you’ll see calluses form over the wounds. Wait a few more days, then start misting the ends once you see the calluses form. In a month or two, you should start to see new growth. 

Division

Divide mature specimens by gently separating sections and replanting them in cactus mix.

Division also works great for pickle plants. When they mature, gently dig up and pull a section away from the mother plant. Use your fingers to unclutter the roots and free up some soil. 

Plant your divided pickle plants in cactus mix and give them a little water. Keep a consistent watering schedule and watch as they start to grow. 

Division is a good method for thinning out older plants that have outgrown their space. You can give them away as gifts or experiment with their containers and growing conditions. 

Common Problems

Check regularly for pests and diseases, especially under leaves and around the roots.

Delosperma echinatums have a few problems to watch out for. These include some common garden pests and diseases. 

As always, check your plants for signs of pests and disease. Check the soil around the crowns and under the leaves. 

Pests

Mealybugs, whiteflies, and vine weevils cause damage, leaving honeydew, webbing, or attracting ants.

Mealybugs, fungus gnats, gnats, whiteflies, and vine weevils can be burdens for your pickle plants. If left untreated, these harmful critters can cause serious damage. 

Check the hard to see areas of the leaves and stems. Look for webbing and sticky honeydew. Swarms of ants may be a sign you have a serious infestation. 

Pests like mealybugs feast on the succulent leaves. They create discoloration and eventually leaf drop. Remove pests by spraying with water, rubbing the leaves with alcohol, or spraying with organic neem oil. Follow up to see if your treatments worked and continue if needed. 

Diseases

Root rot, caused by overwatering, is fatal, so always use well-drained soil and proper watering.

The most common disease for pickle plants and other succulents is root rot. Harmful fungi, bacteria, and water molds cause the disease. 

The best way to prevent root rot is to not over water your plants. Keep them in well-drained soil and wait until the soil completely dries up before watering again. There is no cure for root rot. Unless you dig up the plant and have a mostly healthy root system (indicated by white roots), you’ll have to dispose of your infected plant. Remove any brown roots in this process. 

Other diseases include powdery mildew buildup and leaf spot. The best prevention is sticking to a consistent watering schedule and not letting the soil retain too much moisture. Water from the bottom and avoid covering the cucumber-shaped leaves in water or mist. Divide plants regularly to prevent low airflow.