A Comprehensive Pickle Plant Care Guide for the Best Growth

Quick Facts About Pickle Plant Care:

The following table presents a summary of the Pickle plant and its care requirements; 

What are the Basic Care Requirements of Pickle Plant?

The basic care requirements of the Pickle plant require adequate watering, light, temperature, and humidity. Let’s start with light requirements for the Pickle plant. 

1. Ideal Light Requirements for Pickle Plant

The ideal light requirements for the Pickle plant are bright, indirect sunlight. It can also tolerate some direct sunlight from an east- or south-facing window. 

An exposure of 4 to 6 hours per day fulfills the Pickle plant sunlight requirements. Remember, an insufficient light leads to stretching and etiolation, and intense direct sunlight in the afternoon might scorch the leaves. 

Don't forget to read the general plant light requirements to learn about the plant’s lighting needs in detail. 

2. Ideal Temperature and Humidity Conditions for Pickle Plant

The ideal temperature range for the Pickle plant is 60°F to 85°F (15°C to 29°C). Bring your plant indoors when the temperature drops below 50°F (13°C) to avoid stress and dormancy. It dislikes frost and can tolerate temperatures up to 90°F (32°C) in partial shade. 

Humidity Requirements for Pickle Plant

The ideal humidity for the Pickle plant is low to moderate. High humidity levels can lead to root rot and fungal diseases due to excessive moisture buildup, so good circulation is essential. Use a moisture meter to monitor humidity levels. 

3. Ideal Watering Needs for Pickle Plant

Water your pickle plant only when the top 1 to 2 inches of the soil are dry. To check, insert your finger into the soil up to 1-2 inches, and if the soil feels dry, it is time to water. 

In summer, it ideally takes 2-3 weeks for the topsoil to dry, and in winter, the span increases to up to 4 weeks.

How to Water Pickle Plant?

Follow the “soak and dry” method to water the Pickle plant. For this method, water the plant until it starts draining out of the bottom of the pot. Remove the remaining water and don’t soak it again until the top layer is completely drained. 

4. Soil Requirements for Pickle Plant

A well-draining soil, such as pre-made succulent potting mix or cactus soil, is ideal for the Pickle plant. You can also customize a perfect soil by mixing an Indoor plant potting mix with perlite, pumice, coarse sand, or vermiculite to improve drainage and aeration of the pickle plant. 
Avoid using peat-heavy mixes and heavy garden soils, as they can retain excessive moisture and may lead to root rot and fungal diseases. 

Feeding and Fertilization of the Pickle Plant

Feed the Pickle plant every 4 to 6 weeks, with a diluted cactus and succulent fertilizer, such as Bios Natural Plant Fertilizer. Fertilization is ideal during the growth season.

Use a half-strength diluted fertilizer, or consider a quarter-strength water-soluble fertilizer to prevent fertilizer burn and promote growth. In winter, the Pickle plant becomes dormant and does not require fertilization. 

How to Repot, Prune, and Propagate the Pickle Plant?

In this section, we’ll talk about the ways of repotting, pruning, and propagation methods to care for the Pickle plant. Let’s start with repotting.

1. Repotting the Pickle Plant

The ideal span for repotting the Pickle plant is every 2-3 years. You can also repot if the roots are peaking out of the drainage holes. The following steps will guide you through the repotting method:

Step 1: Choose the Right Pot and Soil

Choose a pot that is 1-2 inches wider than the previous one. Choose a terracotta pot for ideal growth due to its porous texture. Choose a well-draining potting mix, designed explicitly for cacti or succulents. Don’t forget to read the guide on how to select the right plant pot size.

Step 2: Remove the Plant

Loosen the plant gently from the sides and the base. Once the plant sides are visibly loosened, tilt the pot to the side to extract the plant.

Step 3: Loosen the Roots

If the roots are tangled, gently loosen them up with your fingers. If your plant shows any damage or dead roots, prune it before repotting.

Step 4: Plant in a New Pot

Start by adding a base layer of soil to the bottom of the new terracotta or ceramic pot. Place your plant in the center of the pot and add a prepared soil mix from the sides. 

2. Pruning the Pickle Plant

The ideal time for pruning is early summer or spring, which is the growth phase of the Pickle plant. In winter, pruning is not recommended because the Pickle plant is resilient to stress in the dormant phase. 

Steps to Prune the Pickle Plant

Follow the given steps to prune your plant effectively:

• Step 1: Identify the damaged or dead stems on the plant. Give special preferences to the yellow parts. 
• Step 2: From the highlighted part, make a clean cut at the base of the stem and snip it. Be gentle, as you may not hurt the other parts. 
• Step 3: Now let the cut dry out for at least 2 days. A callus will form at the cut of the plant, which protects it from root rot.

3. Pickle Plant Propagation Methods

You can propagate the Pickle plant by stem cutting and offset separating methods. Stem cutting is preferred because it is a faster and reliable method for plant stock.  

Here is the step-by-step guide for you.

Step 1: Make the Cut

Select a healthy stem that is at least 3-4 inches long and cut from its base to separate it from the parent plant. Allow the callus to form at the cut end of the stem by drying it for at least 2 days. It prevents root rot. 

Step 2: Plant in a Pot

Plant the stem cutting in a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix and mist often. Place the pot in bright, indirect sunlight. Within a span of 2 to 3 weeks, the roots will begin to develop.