Life Span
Perennial
  
Annual
  
Type
Cactus or Succulent
  
Shrub
  
Origin
Southwestern United States, Mexico
  
Southern Africa
  
Types
Not Available
  
Carissa bispinosa, Carissa carandas
  
Habitat
Desert, Hot climate regions
  
Coastal Regions, Tropical regions
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
12-15
  
9-11
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
  
12-9
  
Sunset Zone
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
H2, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
  
Habit
Rosette/Stemless
  
Cushion/Mound-forming
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Yellow
  
White
  
Flower Color Modifier
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Fruit Color
Tan
  
Light Red
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Blue Green
  
Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Blue Green
  
Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Blue Green
  
Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Green, Blue Green
  
Dark Green
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Linear
  
Elliptic and Ovate
  
Thorns
Yes
  
Yes
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Slow
  
Slow
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Spring
  
Indeterminate
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Drought
  
Shade areas
  
Where to Plant?
Ground
  
Ground, Pot
  
How to Plant?
Leaf Cutting, Stem Cutting
  
Seedlings, Stem Planting, Vegetative Reproduction
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Allow soil to be completely dry in between waterings, Needs less watering
  
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water, Requires regular watering, Water daily during growing season, Water when top layer of soil becomes dry
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Prune to control growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
  
Fertilizers
Does not require fertilizer once established
  
fertilize in growing season, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
  
Pests and Diseases
Not Available, Red blotch
  
Insects, Red blotch, Scale, Spider mites, Thripes, Whiteflies
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Dry Conditions, Dry soil, Full Sun, Heat Tolerance
  
Shade areas
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
No
  
Yes
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
Not Available
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
No
  
No
  
Foliage Texture
Bold
  
Medium
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
No
  
No
  
Attracts
Not Available
  
Birds
  
Allergy
Not Available
  
Toxic
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Borders, Decorating walls, Ground Cover
  
Beautification, Bonsai, Cottage Garden, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
No
  
No
  
Environmental Uses
Air purification
  
Air purification, Food for insects, Prevent Soil Erosion
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Not Available
  
No Medicinal Use
  
Part of Plant Used
Not Available
  
Flowers, Fruits
  
Other Uses
Not Available
  
Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
Yes
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Container, Dried Flower, Everlasting, Feature Plant, Rock Garden, Wall, Wildflower
  
Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Edible, Foundation, Groundcover, Hedges, Topiary, Bonsai, Espalier, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
DASYLIRION berlandieri
  
CARISSA macrocarpa
  
Common Name
Blue Giant,
Blue Twister,
Desert Spoon
  
Carissia
  
In Hindi
Zaragosa
  
Carissa
  
In German
Zaragoza
  
carissa
  
In French
Saragosse
  
carissa
  
In Spanish
Zaragoza
  
carissa
  
In Greek
Σαραγόσα
  
carissa
  
In Portuguese
Zaragoza
  
carissa
  
In Polish
Saragossa
  
carissa
  
In Latin
Caesaraugusta
  
carissa
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Chordata
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Not Available
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Squamata
  
Gentianales
  
Family
Agavaceae
  
Apocynaceae
  
Genus
Gonyosoma
  
Carissa
  
Clade
Not Available
  
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Carisseae
  
Subfamily
Colubrinae
  
Rauvolfioideae
  
Number of Species
Not Available