Product Description
Rose of Jericho Flower (Resurrection Flower) 3-4"
This plant is Selaginella lepidophylla and is native to Mexico and the southwest U.S. There are other Rose of Jericho but this is considered the prettiest and easiet to grow.
Because of its incredible ability to seemingly resurrect itself, Rose of Jericho plays a role in several world religions. Hoodoo practitioners often use Rose of Jericho in prosperity spells. Santeria associates the plant with the spirit of thunder and lightning and uses it as a spiritual offering. Catholic families often bring out their Rose of Jericho to bloom around Christmas and Easter because it symbolizes the resurrection of Christ.
(On a related note, you can actually store this plant in its dried, curled-up state and bring it out when you want it to bloom. How cool is that? Just pop it in a paper bag and place it in a safe closet or cupboard where it won’t get squished.) The good news is, it’s hard to truly kill a Rose of Jericho. You can let it dry out completely and it will be good as new when you put it in water again. If you’ve ever had issues with mindful plant watering, then this is the plant for you! The only thing you don’t want to do is leave it in water for too long, as this can cause it to rot. The trick is to let a Rose of Jericho rest in between waterings instead of leaving it in water indefinitely. This allows it to dry out and refresh between periods in water, which will keep the plant alive longer. These plants are actually very long-lived and have even been passed down generations in families!
When you purchase your Rose of Jericho, it will look like a brown, dried-up ball of moss, which is basically what it is. It does have roots, but they don’t actually need to attach, so you don’t need soil (it’s more like hydroponics). To “plant,” fill a small pot or bowl without drainage holes (first time you’ve heard that, right?) with pebbles or gravel, and fill with water until the pebbles are just barely submerged. Perch your Rose of Jericho on top so that the roots touch the water. Place in indirect light (like on a countertop in a sunny kitchen) and watch the magic happen!
Tip: Use distilled water or let tap water sit out overnight for the chlorine and any other chemicals evaporate before adding to your plant.
Change the water every day or so and give it a water-free rest day each week. Every couple of weeks, let the plant dry out completely. Don’t let the plant get too hot or too cold. Most room temperatures are fine, but watch for drafts and vents. Although a Rose of Jericho is native to desert environments, it can still be sensitive to extreme fluctuations in temperature. A Rose of Jericho will thrive in good light, but if it curls up in low light (or if you put it away in a closet for safekeeping over the winter) you can always revive it! If placed in lukewarm water, your Rose of Jericho should open in about 4 hours, though it might not open to its full capacity for a few days.
Providing spontaneous beauty with a rich history, Rose of Jericho is an eye-catching centerpiece and a great conversation-starter. If you want a magical experience with a hard-to-kill plant, give Rose of Je
