Slipper Plant Gallito

Pedilanthus macrocarpus comes from the Sonoran Desert of northwestern Mexico, including central Baja California and Sonora. An unusual attractive slow growing succulent plant that remains mostly leafless, or with tiny, inconspicuous leaves. Instead of leaves it has erect 1/2″ thick lime-green stems that rise up to 3′ tall, sometimes taller in the shade, arching or bending outwards under their own weight. In mid-summer into fall (in the desert people note in spring as well) the unusual orange-red slipper-shaped flowers, which are also described as bird shaped (Gallito – Little Rooster), appear along the stems and are often followed by reddish fruit. Plant in full sun in cool coastal climates but looks best if given some light shade in hot inland climates. Requires very little irrigation even in containers where watering every 2 to 3 weeks is sufficient. Plants are hardy to short duration temperatures to the mid 20s F but do best in near frost free gardens and can suffer stem tip damage below 30 F.