Calling all bizarre plant lovers!! The Anchor Plant - Colletia paradoxa - is a rare oddity from South America with a truly unique look. Also called the "Jet Plane Plant", this is a leaf-less shrub with flattened, blue-green stems that function as leaves. The stems are arranged in opposite pairs, like little ship anchors or airplane propellers. It's hard to capture the geometric beauty of this plant in photographs, but it never fails to get compliments! This is a very rare plant, usually only seen in botanical gardens.

The Anchor Plant is an evergreen shrub with woody main stems. It grows slowly to about 8 feet tall and wide. The plant does make true leaves, but they are rarely seen, appearing only on newer growth after heavy rains. The flattened stems help the plant collect sunlight, and the sharp spines at the ends keep animals from eating it. In Autumn, the plant is covered with tiny white flowers, which are sweetly scented like lilac.

The flowers in Autumn

The Anchor Tree can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. It is known to grow in summer temperatures in the low 90s (34°C), and winters in the low 20s (-5°C). It is accustomed to arid conditions, but it can tolerate regular watering if grown in fast-draining soil. It grows well in a pot in ordinary cactus soil. Full sun is preferred, except in the hottest areas. I recommend protecting it from frost the first 2 years. Occasionally remove any extra branches to give the plant a handsome tree-like shape. It's important not to plant this spiny creature where children or pets can bump into it.

Click here to check availability.