Also known as Mormon Tea · 346 gardener saves
Ephedra: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Ephedra, the genus most gardeners know as mormon tea. We track 11 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 11 most-saved Ephedra varieties
Of 11 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGreen Ephedra
Ephedra viridis
#2 most savedBluestem Jointfir, Ma Huang
Ephedra equisetina
#3 most savedMinute Ephedra
Ephedra minuta
Mongolian Ephedra
Ephedra monosperma
Blue Mormon Tea
Ephedra glauca
Ephedra regeliana
Ephedra regeliana
Intermediate Ephedra
Ephedra intermedia
Fedtschenko's Ephedra
Ephedra fedtschenkoae
Przewalski's Ephedra
Ephedra przewalskii
Miniature Jointfir
Ephedra minima
Nebrodes Joint Pine
Ephedra nebrodensis
How to grow Ephedra
What the Ephedra varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 11 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Ephedra year
- PlantMarch, April, September and October100% of varieties
Plant in well-drained, gritty soil in spring or early fall.
- PruneFebruary100% of varieties
Lightly shape or remove any dead stems in late winter.
- MulchMarch36% of varieties
Apply a layer of gravel or stone mulch to ensure sharp drainage.
- Spring CleanupFebruary36% of varieties
Remove any winter debris from around the base of the plant.
Do
- Prune lightly to maintain shape
- Water sparingly once established 💧
- Water sparingly, especially in drought conditions 🌱
- Prune to shape after flowering
- Apply well-draining soil
Avoid
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Plant in poorly drained soil ❌
- Plant in poorly-drained soil
What goes wrong with Ephedra
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scale insects | Sticky residue and yellowing leaves | Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted growth | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and stippling on stems | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Ephedra
Cuttings
- Select healthy stem segments and cut with clean scissors.
- Allow cuttings to callus for 2 days.
- Insert into well-draining soil.
- Water lightly and keep in full sun.
- Roots develop in about 6 weeks.
cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Allow cuttings to callus for 1 week.
- Plant in well-draining soil and water sparingly.
Ephedra questions
How many types of Ephedra are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 11 distinct Ephedra varieties. The most popular — ranked by 346 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Ephedra grow in?
Across its varieties, Ephedra covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Ephedra bloom?
Most Ephedra varieties bloom in spring, early spring, late spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Ephedra should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Ephedra in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
