Three plants are known by the name of “the rose of Jericho”. These plants are all resurrection plants, which means that they may look like they are dead, but can flower again under the right conditions. The plants are: Anastatica hierochuntica, the true rose of Jericho; Selaginella lepidophylla, the false rose of Jericho and Pallenis hierochuntica. These plants are easy to care for, but sometimes difficult to propagate.
Which types?
There are three plants known by the name “rose of Jericho”. The first is the Anastatica hierochuntica, the real rose of Jericho. The second plant is the false rose of Jericho, the Selaginella lepidophylla. This one is very similar to the rose of Jericho, but the plants are only very closely related. The last kind is the Pallenis hierochuntica. This plant looks very different from the other two, but has the same remarkable resurrection feature.
- Anastatica hierochuntica, the real rose of Jericho
- Rich: Plantae
- Order: Brassicales
- Family: Brassicaceae
- Genus: Anastatics
- Kind: A. hierochuntica
The real rose of Jericho is widely sold. When it blooms, it has small, white flowers. The plant does not exceed 15 centimeters in height, but usually stays smaller. The rose of Jericho does not look much like a rose, it is a small ball. When dry, the plant is brown and looks dead. By adding water the plant comes back to life and turns green. In this state it resembles a green sphere. The true rose of Jericho takes a day or a few days for it to turn green.
- Selaginella lepidophylla, the false rose of Jericho
A False Rose of Jericho / Source: Nicole-Koehler, Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
- Rich: Plantae
- Order: Selaginellales
- Family: Selaginellaceae
- Genus: Selaginella
- Kind: S. lepidophylla
The false rose of Jericho is very similar in appearance to the real rose of Jericho. However, they are far removed from each other in evolutionary terms. The false rose of Jericho is a spore plant. So it does not produce flowers. The false rose of Jericho is sprouting a lot faster than the real rose of Jericho. Within an hour the false rose of Jericho will be green.
- Pallenis hierochuntica
- Rich: Plantae
- Order: Asterales
- Family: Asteraceae
- Genus: Pallenis
- Kind: P. hierochuntica
This plant is very different from the other two. They are easy to recognize by appearance and also by the requirements they place on their environment. The first two plants only need moisture, this plant just takes root in the ground. It can grow in places where you would not expect a plant to survive and only grows when water is added. This plant is the only and only Jericho rose with a showy flower.
What is so special about these plants
There are several plants known by the name of “Rose of Jericho”. All of these plants are resurrection plants. They can survive for years or even decades without water. They look like dry, withered little balls. As soon as water comes over it, the rose of Jericho opens. The leaves will turn green and two of the three varieties will flower. The false rose of Jericho does not bloom, this is a spore plant.
Grooming
Jericho rose care is a simple one. You never have to worry about forgetting to water, because drying out is good for this plant. However, it should not be wet for too long, because it can drown. Therefore, put the plant in water for a maximum of eight days in a row, before giving it at least two days to dry. Then it can be wet again. The water must be changed regularly during the wet period to keep the plant healthy.
A unique feature of the rose of Jericho is that it can survive any water temperature. Whether you pour ice cold water over it or boiling hot water, the plant will not die. In fact, it comes back to life!
To keep the plant for some time, let it dry out completely first. Do not water it for several days and put it in a warm place. Then you have a dry bulb again. You can keep these in a warm, dry place for years. 50 years is no problem for these plants!
Fungi
The rose of Jericho is susceptible to fungal attack. This can be remedied by applying an anti-fungal agent. This is available at most garden centers. Let the plant dry out first. Then mix the anti-fungal agent with water and sprinkle it over the plant to make the plant turn green again. Change the water daily and add anti-fungal agent. After a week, let the plant dry out. The plant should now be mold free. If there is still fungus on it, you repeat the treatment. Make sure that the plant has had enough time to dry out again (at least 2 days).
Propagate rose of Jericho
Such a plant is of course nice, but how do you get more? The three types of plants present themselves in different ways.
Anastatica hierochuntica, the real rose of Jericho
This species blooms in small white flowers. Only when these are fertilized do seeds grow. One flowering period is not enough for the fruits to develop. As soon as the plant dries out again, it curls around the fruits. If it is wetted again, the seeds will develop further. When the fruits are sufficiently developed, the fruit opens. The seeds pop out. When the seeds end up in the water, they eventually die. In order for them to germinate, they must be somewhere moist, but not soaked. For example on wet cotton wool or tissues.
Selaginella lepidophylla, the false rose of Jericho
The false rose of Jericho is difficult to propagate. It is a spore plant, which means that it multiplies by producing a lot of very small spores. If these end up in the correct place, a plant can hatch.
Pallenis hierochuntica
The reproduction of the Pallenis hierochuntica is very similar to that of the real rose of Jericho. Although the plants are not closely related, they are both flowering plants that propagate by seed. When the plant starts to flower, let it finish flowering first. Then let it dry out and bloom again after a few days. Eventually the fruit will pop open and you will have seeds.
Rose of Jericho in the stories
The rose of Jericho, according to some accounts, was blessed by Mary with eternal life. The rose of Jericho, especially the false rose of Jericho, is regularly associated with Christmas. The resurrection is compared to the resurrection of Jesus. In the Middle Ages, the rose of Jericho was therefore regularly seen as a sacred relic.