How to Grow Halimium - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Halimium is a plant that is native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the broomrape family. The plant is a perennial and grows to be about one meter tall. The leaves are green and the flowers are yellow.

How to Grow Halimium - Plant Care & Tips

Also called

  • Orpine
  • Stonecrop
  • Sedum
  • Ice plant
  • liveforever

Basic info

  • Halimium is a genus of flowering plants in the buckwheat family.
  • The genus consists of about 30 species, all native to the Mediterranean region.
  • Halimium species are evergreen shrubs or subshrubs. They have opposite leaves and yellow, orange, or red flowers.
  • Halimium is closely related to the genus Helianthemum.
  • Many Halimium species are drought-tolerant and grow on poor, dry soils.
  • Halimium species are used as ornamental plants.
  • Halimium ocymoides is the only species in the genus that is poisonous. All other species are safe for humans and animals.
  • Halimium atriplicifolium is the only species in the genus that is endangered.
  • Halimium species are pollinated by bees and other insects.
  • The genus name Halimium comes from the Greek word for salt, because some Halimium species grow on salty soils.

Growing Steps

  1. For halimium, first step is to soak the seeds in water for 24 hours.
  2. After soaking, plant the seeds in a seed tray filled with a well-draining seed-starting mix.
  3. Water the seeds gently, and place the tray in a warm, sunny spot.
  4. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and within a few weeks, the seeds will germinate.
  5. Once the seedlings have emerged, thin them out so that only the strongest seedlings remain.
  6. Transplant the seedlings into individual pots filled with a well-draining potting mix.
  7. Water regularly, and fertilize monthly with a half-strength balanced fertilizer.
  8. In late spring or early summer, once the danger of frost has passed, transplant the halimium outdoors.
  9. Choose a sunny spot with well-drained soil, and dig a hole twice the width and depth of the pot.
  10. Gently remove the halimium from its pot, and plant it in the prepared hole. Water thoroughly.

Related plant:
Halimium Libanotis

The Soil

About soil condition, halimium like very dry to dry, sandy to loamy soil. It is not tolerant of clay. The plant prefers acid to neutral conditions, but can tolerate alkaline soils. It cannot tolerate wet conditions.

About light

Similar to other halimium species, the sun light requirement for halimium ochroleucum is high. It prefers full sun to partial shade, and it will do best in an area that gets at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If you live in an area with hot summers, this plant will appreciate some afternoon shade to protect it from the harsh rays of the sun.

The Temperature

The temperature conditions that are optimal for the Halimium plant are those that are cool and dry. The plant thrives in temperatures that are between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The Halimium plant is native to the Mediterranean region and is adapted to growing in dry, rocky soil. The plant prefers full sun but can also grow in partial shade. The Halimium plant is drought tolerant and does not require a lot of water to survive.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 40-50%. Halimium is a plant that does not tolerate having its roots sitting in water, so be sure to empty the saucer under the pot after each watering. If the air in your home is particularly dry, placing the pot on a pebble tray or grouping it with other plants will help increase the humidity around it.

The Fertilizer

For the fertilizer, this plant does best with a light application of a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10. Apply the fertilizer in the spring when new growth begins. Root development is important for this plant, so make sure the root system has room to grow. Amend the soil with organic matter such as compost before planting.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important part of caring for a halimium plant. By pruning the plant, you encourage new growth and prevent the plant from becoming too leggy. You can prune your halimium plant in early spring, before new growth begins. Simply cut back the plant to the desired height, using sharp pruning shears.

About Propagating

Propagation is the process of creating new plants from existing ones. Halimiums are easily propagated from stem cuttings. To do this, take a cutting from a healthy plant that is about 6 inches long. Cut just below a leaf node, and remove the bottom leaves. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone, and plant the cutting in a pot filled with well-draining potting mix. Water the pot well, and place it in a bright, sunny spot. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy, and in a few weeks, you should see new growth.

Plant Growth

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the number of leaves the plant has. The more leaves, the more the plant can photosynthesize and produce food for itself. The number of leaves also correlates with the age of the plant. Halimiums that are younger will have fewer leaves and will grow more slowly than older plants. The size of the leaves also affects the growth rate. Larger leaves can photosynthesize more efficiently than smaller leaves, so a plant with large leaves will generally grow faster than one with smaller leaves. The type of soil in which the halimium grows also affects its growth rate. Halimiums growing in rich, well-drained soils will generally grow faster than those growing in poorer soils. Finally, the amount of sunlight the halimium receives also affects its growth rate. Halimiums growing in full sun will generally grow faster than those growing in shade.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant plants are root rot, drying out, and browning of leaves. Root rot is caused by too much moisture in the soil, which can be fixed by improving drainage. Drying out is caused by too little moisture, which can be fixed by watering more often. Browning of leaves can be caused by too much sun, which can be fixed by providing more shade.

Growing Tips

  • If you are growing halimium from seed, start the seeds indoors in late winter or early spring.
  • Halimium seeds need light to germinate, so don't plant them too deeply.
  • Keep the soil moist but not wet while the seeds are germinating.
  • Once the seedlings emerge, you can transplant them into individual pots or into the garden.
  • Halimium prefers full sun but can tolerate some light shade.
  • The plants are drought-tolerant but will produce more flowers if they are watered regularly.
  • Fertilize halimium plants monthly during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
  • To encourage more flowering, deadhead the spent flowers regularly.
  • Halimium plants can become leggy if they are not trimmed back periodically. Cut them back by one-third in early summer and again in mid-fall.

Alternative Plants

  • Halimium halimifolium
  • Halimium humile
  • Halimium indicum
  • Halimium lasianthum
  • Halimium ocymoides
  • Halimium olea
  • Halimium salicifolium
  • Halimium umbellatum
  • Index: World plants nomenclature

Source:
(PDF) Growth response of Halimium halimifolium at four ... - Academia.edu
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