Do you have a witch finger in the garden? I'm not kidding, this plant is real! Read here what kind of plant it is and how it is cultivated and cared for.
The witch's finger, often referred to as the edible ice plant, actually comes from South Africa. But due to its undemanding nature, it is not a problem to grow it in our gardens. Although you have to pay special attention to its rapid spread, because after all, a witch's finger plant should only conquer the local flora in a very targeted manner.
The first yellow flowers form on the plant as early as spring, and the flowering period usually lasts throughout the summer. However, the older the flower gets, the more it turns a bright pink. Hybrid plants that have been bred now even have white, purple, red and orange flowers.
The witch's finger doesn't just look interesting. This plant also produces sweet and sour-tasting fruits that look like figs and can be processed into jam. In addition, the leaf juice of the witch's finger is also said to have a healing effect on ear and toothache. So why not grow witch's finger and benefit from the plant's appearance, taste and medicinal properties.
Witch Finger Cultivation
The witch's finger, which grows up to 40 centimeters high and is sometimes also referred to as the "Hottentot fig", multiplies all by itself through its extreme formation of seeds in the garden beds. Although hundreds of seeds can form in just one fruit.
An initial cultivation is done in late spring by sowing seeds in the garden bed ( although you can also prefer it on the window sill). A location in full sun where the soil is poor in nutrients is best suited for this. In the garden trade, however, small perennials of the witch's finger are often offered, which you can plant directly outdoors in late spring.
The witch's finger is also suitable for growing in pots, although you should preferably plant the plant in nutrient-poor, sandy soil such as cactus soil.
Warning:
The witch finger plant has extremely sharp-edged leaves.It is therefore best to always hold the plant with thick gardening gloves.
Care for witch fingers properly
As already mentioned, the witch's finger is considered absolutely undemanding and grows almost by itself in the garden bed. Even additional watering of the plants or fertilizers are usually not necessary. However, the plant needs a little care. The care instructions are now available here.
➤ Wintering Witch Fingers:
The witch's finger is only conditionally hardy. Many garden centers therefore offer it as an annual plant. Otherwise, you can also plant the witch's finger in winter and e.g. overwinter in the basement, or leave it in the garden and cover it properly with brushwood and possibly a jute sack. If you're lucky, the plant will survive the winter.
➤ Secure fruiting:
If you want to be sure that the witch's finger will bear fruit again next spring, you should cut off part of the perennial in autumn and overwinter in a cool but bright room. During this time you should keep the plant as dry as possible.