Unlike many plants, the poorer the quality of soil, the better they are likely to grow.
Fertile, rich soil is not the Joshua tree’s friend.
Water
This is a highlydrought-tolerant tree.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Established Joshua trees only need supplemental watering in periods of drought.
Overwatering can lead toroot rot.
It needs a scorching hot, dry summer and a cold winter.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Without a dormant period, the tree will die, so these changes in temperatures are important.
They can tolerate winters as cold as 12 degrees Fahrenheit and summers as hot as 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizing may encourage faster growth, but this can alter the naturally appealing form of the tree.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
It won’t need regular feedingan annual dose or one in late spring and early fall is sufficient.
Types of Joshua Tree
Joshua tree is not a highly cultivated species.
In fact, that are only two recognized sub-species of Joshua tree:Y. brevifolia var.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
By leaving the branches with dry leaves, they can insulate the plant in cold winters by absorbing moisture.
How to Grow Joshua Tree From Seed
GrowingYucca brevifoliafrom seed is tricky but not impossible.
For best results, you should sow fully ripe and fresh seeds.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
It may not reliably bloom each year.
Bloom Months
Joshua tree blooms in the spring, from March until May.
What Do Joshua Tree Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Joshua tree produces densely clustered panicles that can be up to 20 inches long.
The small, individual, white-green flowers are oval-shaped and have an unpleasant, mushroom-like fragrance.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Keep in mind that not every Joshua tree flowers annually.
Both of these factors are out of the grower’s control.
Provide proper care and hope for the best.
This is definitely a tree best kept outside.
Caring for a potted Joshua tree would be the same as caring for a Joshua tree in the ground.
You are better off transplanting your Joshua tree into the ground in suitable conditions.
It’s easy to overwater and kill a Joshua tree.
These trees are adapted to very small amounts of water.
When in doubt, skip watering your Joshua tree.
These are long-lived trees.
Experts estimate one tree in California to be around 1,000 years old.
Typically, they take about 50 years to fully mature and live around 150 years.
A bit of neglect rather than being too attentive is what the Joshua tree favors.
San Bernardino County Department of Public Works.
