How to Grow and Care for Cistanche

Desert hyacinth (Cistanche tubulosa) is a parasitic plant that does not produce chlorophyll. It obtains its water and nutrients through the roots of its host. The plant grows in the Taklamakan Desert in Northwest China and some parts of the Middle East. In the spring, yellow flowers bloom along its distinct pyramid shape, which can be up to 1 meter tall.

Cistanche salsa is a striking parasitic plant thriving in arid desert conditions. Lacking chlorophyll, it stands out with fleshy, scale-like leaves and a stout stem that blooms into tubular yellow flowers. This unique feature enables it to draw sustenance from host plant roots, an adaptation pivotal for survival amidst harsh, sandy landscapes.