1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Othonna capensis, little pickles, is a trailing succulent from South Africa, three to six inches high and spreading around a foot. The narrow cylindrical leaves are exactly the shape the common name suggests, blue-green flushing purple in strong sun or drought. Small yellow daisy flowers open along the trailing stems from May to September.
The leaves turn purple as a stress response, so a plant in full sun with lean soil colours far better than a comfortable one, and gardeners who feed and water it get plain green growth instead. It also tolerates salt spray, which makes it one of the more useful trailing succulents in a coastal garden.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Cactus Succulent
Height
4 inches
Width
14 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
9, 10
Water
Low
Humidity
Low
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
South Africa
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant in spring in full sun.
- Choose enriched but sharply drained soil.
- Water sparingly; let the soil dry between waterings.
- Keep it dry through winter, especially in containers.
- Let it trail over walls and container edges.
- Trim back straggly stems to keep the mat dense.
Pro Tip
The purple colouring is a stress response; sun and lean soil produce it, and generous feeding removes it entirely.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Give it full sun for the best colour ☀️
- Use sharply drained soil 🪨
- Let it trail over walls and containers 🧱
- Keep it dry through winter 🌵
Don't
- Overwater it, particularly in winter ❌
- Feed it heavily and lose the purple tones ❌
- Plant it in heavy or wet ground ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce | ||||||||||||
| Trim |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Little Pickles questions
What zones can Little Pickles grow in?
Little Pickles is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Little Pickles deer resistant?
Yes — Little Pickles is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Little Pickles bloom?
Little Pickles typically blooms in late spring to early fall through early fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Little Pickles need full sun?
Little Pickles does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Little Pickles drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Little Pickles handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
More Othonna to compare
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Little Pickles with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.