Mormon Tea: The Drought-Defying Desert Shrub Your Xeriscape Needs
If you’re looking for a plant that laughs in the face of drought and adds architectural interest to your landscape, let me introduce you to Mormon tea (Ephedra viridis). This fascinating native shrub might just be the low-maintenance, water-wise plant you’ve been searching for – especially if you’re dealing with challenging desert conditions or want to create a stunning xeriscape garden.
What Exactly is Mormon Tea?
Mormon tea is a unique perennial shrub that’s native to the western United States. Unlike most plants you’re familiar with, this member of the gymnosperm family (think pine trees and conifers) has an almost otherworldly appearance. Instead of traditional leaves, it sports distinctive jointed green stems that give it a sculptural, almost bamboo-like quality.
This multi-stemmed woody plant typically grows to about 3 feet tall and wide, making it a perfect medium-sized addition to your landscape. Don’t expect rapid results though – Mormon tea has a slow growth rate and takes its time reaching maturity, but its long lifespan makes it a worthwhile investment.
Where Mormon Tea Calls Home
Mormon tea thrives across eight western states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming. This native plant has adapted beautifully to the challenging conditions of the American Southwest and Intermountain West, making it an excellent choice for gardeners in these regions who want to work with nature rather than against it.
Why Your Garden Might Love Mormon Tea
Here’s where Mormon tea really shines – it’s practically bulletproof once established. This shrub is perfect for:
- Xeriscape gardens: With high drought tolerance and low water needs, it’s ideal for water-wise landscaping
- Desert and rock gardens: Its architectural form creates striking focal points
- Native plant gardens: Supports local ecosystems and requires minimal intervention
- Low-maintenance landscapes: Perfect for busy gardeners or challenging sites
The plant’s unique form makes it an excellent architectural accent. In spring, small yellow flowers appear, though they’re not particularly showy. The real appeal lies in the plant’s striking stem structure and its ability to add texture and interest year-round.
Growing Conditions: What Mormon Tea Craves
Mormon tea is surprisingly specific about its needs, but once you meet them, it’s incredibly easy to grow:
- Soil: Prefers alkaline soils (pH 7.0-8.0) and handles coarse to medium-textured soils well
- Drainage: Excellent drainage is essential – this plant hates wet feet
- Sunlight: Thrives in full sun but tolerates some shade
- Water: Low water requirements once established; extremely drought tolerant
- Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 6-9, tolerating temperatures down to -18°F
One of Mormon tea’s superpowers is its tolerance for challenging conditions. It can handle salty soils, intense heat, and even has good fire tolerance – making it valuable for defensible space landscaping in fire-prone areas.
Planting and Care Tips
Getting Mormon tea established is straightforward if you follow these guidelines:
Planting: Choose a location with excellent drainage and full sun to partial shade. Spring planting gives the best results, allowing the plant to establish before summer heat. You can grow Mormon tea from seed (though germination can be slow and challenging) or look for container plants from native plant nurseries, though availability is often limited to field collections.
Watering: Water regularly the first year to help establish roots, then back off significantly. Overwatering is one of the few ways to kill this resilient plant.
Fertilizing: Mormon tea has medium fertility requirements, but avoid over-fertilizing. A light application of balanced fertilizer in spring is usually sufficient.
Pruning: Minimal pruning needed. The plant has good resprout ability if damaged, but its natural form is typically most attractive when left alone.
A Few Things to Consider
While Mormon tea is an excellent choice for the right garden, it’s not for everyone. The plant has a very specific aesthetic that works best in naturalistic, desert, or contemporary landscapes. It might look out of place in traditional cottage gardens or lush, green landscapes.
Also, while the plant is sometimes called Mormon tea due to historical use as a beverage substitute, it’s worth noting that preparation and consumption should be approached with caution and proper knowledge.
The Bottom Line
Mormon tea is a fantastic choice for gardeners in western states who want a distinctive, drought-tolerant native plant that requires minimal care once established. Its architectural form, extreme drought tolerance, and adaptability to challenging conditions make it perfect for xeriscapes, desert gardens, and low-maintenance landscapes.
If you’re dealing with alkaline soils, limited water, and challenging growing conditions, Mormon tea might just become your new favorite plant. Just remember: good drainage is non-negotiable, and patience is key – but the payoff is a unique, resilient shrub that will grace your landscape for many years to come.
