Close-up of a Welwitschia plant, showing its two long, strap-like leaves, woody central stem, and cone-like reproductive structures emerging near the base.

Welwitschia (Welwitschia mirabilis)

Close-up of a Welwitschia male cone covered in orange pollen grains emerging between broad green leaves.
Welwitschia mirabilis
Welwitschia plant with two long, wide, green strap-like leaves growing from a thick woody base in a planter.
Cluster of mature, dark brown and tan seed cones from a Welwitschia plant with layered, woody bracts.
Human hand holding a very young Welwitschia seedling with long, wiry roots and small green leaves.
Young Welwitschia plant growing in a black nursery pot with curved green leaves and developing cones.
Welwitschia seedling in a pot labeled “27-Sept” with two upright, narrow green leaves in rocky soil.
Top-down view of a Welwitschia mirabilis plant with wide, ribbon-like green leaves in a square pot.
Dozens of Welwitschia seedlings emerging from small square pots in a greenhouse setting.
Welwitschia plant with developing cones, one covered in a mesh pollination bag, in a greenhouse environment.
Close-up of a Welwitschia male cone cluster with visible orange pollen grains in a greenhouse.
Male Welwitschia mirabilis plant labeled “BAA.273” with small, pollen-producing cones emerging.
Mature Welwitschia plant in a greenhouse with long, dried leaves sprawled dramatically across the floor.
Mature Welwitschia mirabilis with long curling leaves draping over a tall black pot and container base.
Close-up view of young Welwitschia seedlings in black pots with gravel substrate inside a greenhouse.
Hand holding three Welwitschia seedlings with long roots and green, strap-like leaves.
Close-up of the central crown of a Welwitschia showing emerging leaf growth and intricate texture.
Tall seedling in a black pot with mature Welwitschia leaves blurred in the background.
Top-down view of several Welwitschia seedlings growing in black plastic containers with green moss patches.
Group of mature Welwitschia plants in a greenhouse bench setup surrounded by succulents and cactus.
Variegated Welwitschia with striking striped leaves showing light green and yellow tones.
Close-up view of Welwitschia male cones, showing reddish-brown overlapping bracts with vibrant amber-colored nectar droplets forming at the tips and ridges. The nectar glistens in the light, highlighting the plant's intricate textures and patterns.

Native to the coastal deserts of Namibia and Angola, Welwitschia mirabilis have unique morphological adaptations that have allowed them to survive and evolve since the Jurassic Period. 

Welwitschias are dioecious gymnosperms, meaning they produce cones, not flowers, on separate male and female plants.  Pollination happens primarily by flies and a few species of bees and wasps which are attracted to nectar droplets on the female and male cones. Wind plays a very limited role in pollination. Once pollinated, the seeds can take 9 months to mature. The papery seeds are light and airy and dispersed by wind. At the conservatory we hand pollinate with a small paint brush. 

Generally, plant leaves have determinate growth, meaning they reach a certain size and shape and eventually die. However, this is not the case with Welwitschia. They produce two cotyledons, but its first set of true leaves are the only leaves it will ever develop. With the benefit of meristematic tissue, the leaves continue to grow indefinitely. The ends will eventually brown and break off with cell death. Think of it like hair. 

Located at the base of these leaves is a clam-shaped compact stem where the cones develop. The root system is composed of a deep tap root that can access ground water, while a fibrous root system captures coastal fog drip. While most of our specimens are growing in deep pots to accommodate a deep root, this is not required. They can survive with only the shallow fibrous root system if water is frequent. In nature, the curling leaves trap fog which condenses, and the water droplets drip down to the soil. 

We have many large specimens at the conservatory and propagate from seed on a regular basis.  Seed propagation allows for genetic variability, and we have some truly unique specimens: a two “headed” one, a single-leafed specimen, and the very rare variegated one. 

Welwitschia propagation

Propagation of Welwitschia mirabilis occurs year-round, thanks to our substantial collection of mature specimens of both sexes. Because some specimens continuously produce cones, we typically experience several large seed harvests per year. Pollen is primarily sourced from our most active male plant, a specimen that is over 80 years old. 

It is essential to inspect each seed carefully, as cones may release non-viable seeds. Non-viable seeds tend to be brittle and lack plumpness. We have observed no significant difference in germination rates between seeds with wings and those without. However, we still remove seed wings to minimize material that could harbor fungi. All seeds undergo a 30-minute soak in distilled water to hydrate the embryo. We do not use heat mats for germination, although past trials with their use have resulted in germination within three days. Extreme caution should be taken when using humidity domes, as Welwitschia is highly sensitive to environmental changes. Removal from the domes can cause severe stress, often leading to rapid decline and death.

Seedlings under a year old thrive with abundant water year-round. Pumice is an ideal medium due to its rapid drainage, allowing for daily watering without the risk of rot. Because pumice does not retain nutrients well, fertilizer is applied daily during watering. Seedlings are grown either in quarter-inch pumice or in a mix of quarter and eighth-inch pumice at a 4:1 ratio. Seeds are sown lying flat an inch below the surface. 

Deep containers are essential to accommodate Welwitschia’s vigorous root growth. We have observed taproots reaching 15 to 20 inches in length within a month. Left unchecked, Welwitschia seedlings can quickly outgrow small pots, leading to slower development. Pots should be at least 6 inches tall, though 10 to 14 inches is ideal. Regardless of pot size, the taproot will eventually extend beyond the container unless it becomes root bound.

Contrary to popular belief, Welwitschia seedlings can be successfully transplanted provided the taproot remains intact. Transplanting can still damage lateral roots and stress plants, slowing growth temporarily. To minimize shock, prepare a bucket of room-temperature distilled water and gently submerge the potted seedling to ease its removal. Tweezers can be useful for carefully detaching any roots that have adhered to the pot. Once placed in its new pot, backfill around the taproot with quarter inch pumice.

Our Welwitschia seedlings are housed in our main desert chamber, where temperatures (°F) range from 70s to 80s in winter and 80s to 90s in summer. However, none of our Welwitschia are exposed to direct summer sunlight since it can cause enough stress to kill the plant.  When cotyledons and true leaves are exposed to intense direct light, they produce anthocyanins to protect themselves and turn red. If light intensity decreases before significant damage occurs, chlorophyll function may recover.