The Rose of Jericho is available in many shops as well as at Christmas and Easter markets, especially at Easter and Christmas. However, this is usually the so-called “false” or false rose of Jericho, a moss fern plant from the deserts of Central and South America. In contrast to the real rose of Jericho, which is a dead cruciferous plant, the alternately moist Selaginella lepidophylla can be propagated by cuttings. The real rose of Jericho, Anastatica hierochuntica, can only be propagated using seeds.
How to propagate the Rose of Jericho?
The real rose of Jericho (Anastatica hierochuntica) is propagated via seeds that are sown on nutrient-poor, sandy substrate. Ideally in March and April. The false rose of Jericho (Selaginella lepidophylla) can be propagated by cuttings.
Real Rose of Jericho can be propagated by seeds
The annual Rose of Jericho is found primarily in the dry and hot deserts of Israel and Jordan. The plant dies after its very short lifespan and when it dies, the leaves roll up into a ball. After a rainstorm, Anastatica hierochuntica seems to rise again because the moisture causes its leaves to unfurl. However, this is only apparently a resurrection, because the plant is and remains dead. However, with each "resurrection", it releases some of its seeds, which is also the reason for this unusual physical effect. You can collect the seeds and use them for propagation. By the way: The green leaves that sometimes appear after a “resurrection” are not a sign that the real rose of Jericho is actually alive again. Instead, they are the cotyledons of the seedlings.
Sowing Rose of Jericho seeds
You can reproduce the Real Rose of Jericho as follows:
- Fill seed pots with bird sand (€15.00 on Amazon) or a nutrient-poor and dry sand mixture.
- Cactus soil, for example, works very well.
- Spread the seeds over the substrate, but do not cover them.
- Place the potty in a warm and sunny place.
- Keep the substrate well moist.
- The seedlings appear within a short time.
The months of March and April are ideal for propagation via seeds.
Cuttings can only be taken from living plants
The real rose of Jericho can be propagated from seeds, but usually not from cuttings - at least not if the plant has already died. Propagation by cuttings is only possible with living plants, which is why the false rose of Jericho (Selaginella lepidophylla) is particularly suitable for this purpose. For this purpose, cut top cuttings in spring and plant them in cactus soil or another nutrient-poor sand mixture. Place the planter in a bright place that is at least 20 °C warm.
Tip
The term “Rose of Jericho” refers to the third plant species of the daisy family Pallenis hierochuntica, which can also be propagated from seeds.
