How to Revive and Care for the Lazarus Plant
Learn to properly care for the Lazarus Plant by managing its unique cycle of dormancy and revival, ensuring its health through each phase.
The Lazarus Plant, known scientifically as Selaginella lepidophylla, is a captivating desert plant celebrated for its ability to seemingly return from the dead. Often called the Rose of Jericho or resurrection plant, it thrives in the arid deserts of Central America. During dry periods, it curls into a tight, brown ball to conserve moisture, a state it can maintain for years. When exposed to water, it undergoes a remarkable transformation, unfurling its fronds and revealing a lush, green appearance. This unique survival mechanism makes it a fascinating specimen for any plant enthusiast.
The Resurrection Process
To revive your dormant Lazarus Plant, you will need a shallow bowl or dish. Placing a layer of small pebbles in the container is a helpful practice, allowing the plant to rest on top without being fully submerged. This setup prevents water from pooling directly against the plant’s base. Add enough water to cover the pebbles and allow the roots at the plant’s base to make contact with the moisture.
Use room temperature or lukewarm water for the initial soaking. Distilled water, rainwater, or tap water left out overnight to allow chlorine to dissipate are all suitable choices. Once you place the dried plant into the prepared dish, the rehydration process begins quickly, and you can expect to see the fronds start to unfurl within a few hours.
Over the next day or two, the plant will continue to open. Its color will shift from a dry brown to a mossy green as its cells rehydrate. The complete revival can take up to a few days.
Ongoing Plant Care
After the initial revival, maintaining your Lazarus Plant requires a specific routine. Once it has fully opened, you can reduce the amount of standing water in the dish. It is important to change the water every day or two to prevent it from becoming stagnant.
The plant benefits from periodic rest days without water. Allowing at least one water-free day per week helps mimic the natural wet-and-dry cycles of its native habitat. Some caretakers let the plant dry out completely for a short period every couple of weeks.
For lighting, the Lazarus Plant prefers bright, indirect light. Placing it near a window with a sheer curtain is an ideal location, as direct sunlight can scorch its fronds. While it can be planted in a well-draining, sandy mix, it does not require soil and absorbs water through direct contact with its base.
Inducing and Managing Dormancy
You can control the plant’s dormancy cycle. To return the plant to its dormant state, remove it from its water source. Place the open plant in a warm, dry location with good air circulation to begin its natural preservation process.
Over several days, the plant will slowly curl inward. Its fronds will fold up, and its color will revert from green to brown as it loses moisture. Once it has fully curled into a tight ball, it is ready for storage.
Properly storing the dormant plant ensures it can be revived in the future. Keep the dry ball in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a cupboard or a box. Under these conditions, the plant can remain viable for many years.
Common Problems and Solutions
A frequent issue when caring for a Lazarus Plant is mold or a musty smell, almost always caused by stagnant water. To resolve this, change the water daily and provide weekly water-free rest days as described in the care instructions. This allows the plant to dry out slightly and prevents rot.
Sometimes, a plant will open after rehydration but remain mostly brown. The humidity in the room might be too low, and regular misting with distilled water may help. It is also normal for some parts of the plant to remain brown, but if it stays entirely brown, it may no longer be viable.
If your plant fails to open, first check your watering method. Ensure the base of the plant is in contact with enough water to initiate rehydration. If the plant still does not respond and its stems feel brittle, it has likely reached the end of its life. A viable dormant plant will have slightly pliable stems, even when dry.