Growli
Let's go

Plant care

Khimp (Khip) care

Leptadenia pyrotechnica

Also called Khimp, Khip, Markh, Broom Bush, Desert Broom.

RHS H1aUSDA 11–12Mildly toxic to petsIndoor 1.5–3 m tall and 1–2 m wide in suitable arid conditions

Watering rhythm

2-3weeks

Every 2–3 weeks in summer; once a month or less in winter

Jump to schedule→Get smart reminders in the app

Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Coarse sandy or gravelly, alkaline

Humidity

10–40%

Temp

20–45°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

1.5–3 m tall and 1–2 m wide in suitable arid conditions

Care at a glance

Light

Khimp needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Demands full, unfiltered sun and thrives in reflected heat from sandy ground. Native to hyper-arid desert; any shade stunts growth and increases the risk of stem rot. Best in the brightest, hottest outdoor position available. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.

Watering

Water khimp every 2–3 weeks in summer; once a month or less in winter. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Highly drought-tolerant once established; thrives with 100–450 mm annual rainfall. Water sparingly and allow the substrate to dry completely between waterings. Overwatering or poorly drained soil is fatal. Does not tolerate irrigation onto the crown or standing water.

Soil and pot

Khimp grows best in coarse sandy or gravelly, alkaline. Naturally grows on loose sand dunes and dry river beds at pH 7.5–9.0. Mix sharp sand with a small amount of grit; no significant organic matter needed. Drainage must be perfect; clay or compacted soils cause collar rot. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Khimp sits happiest at around 10–40% humidity and 20–45°C (68–113°F). Adapted to hyper-arid climates with very low humidity. Cannot tolerate high humidity, particularly in combination with cool temperatures. Excellent ventilation is essential when grown under glass. If you keep the room above 20–45°C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed khimp sparingly. Fertiliser is rarely needed and may promote soft, rot-prone growth. If desired, apply a very dilute, low-nitrogen, balanced feed once or twice in the growing season only. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on khimp in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Root and crown rot — The single most common failure in cultivation. Any excess moisture around the base combined with cool temperatures causes rapid collapse. Ensure pure sandy, alkaline substrate with perfect drainage and never water onto the crown.
  • Cold and frost damage — Even brief exposure to temperatures below 5°C can kill established plants. Grow in a heated greenhouse or bring indoors before cool autumn nights; minimum overwintering temperature should be above 10°C.
  • Spider mites in dry indoor conditions — The dry, warm conditions this plant requires can also suit spider mites. Inspect the green stems regularly; treat infestations with insecticidal soap or a miticide as soon as detected.

Propagation

By seed: sow fresh seeds at 28–30°C in a fine, sandy medium; germination rate of around 56% has been documented. Seeds are best sown in shade initially and moved to full sun after germination. Propagation from cuttings is possible but challenging due to the plant's adaptation to arid conditions. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Khimp is mildly toxic to pets. Leptadenia pyrotechnica belongs to family Apocynaceae (subfamily Asclepiadoideae). Research has confirmed the presence of cardenolides (cardiac glycosides), alkaloids, and cytotoxic compounds in stem and latex extracts. It is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but given the documented cardenolide content, it cannot be considered pet-safe. Caution is warranted — keep out of reach of pets and children. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Khimp care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Leptadenia pyrotechnica?

Leptadenia pyrotechnica is most commonly called Khimp, but it is also known as Khimp, Khip, Markh, Broom Bush, Desert Broom. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Khimp apply identically to anything sold as Khip.

How much light does khimp need?

Khimp grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Demands full, unfiltered sun and thrives in reflected heat from sandy ground. Native to hyper-arid desert; any shade stunts growth and increases the risk of stem rot. Best in the brightest, hottest outdoor position available.

How often should I water khimp?

Water khimp every 2–3 weeks in summer; once a month or less in winter. Highly drought-tolerant once established; thrives with 100–450 mm annual rainfall. Water sparingly and allow the substrate to dry completely between waterings. Overwatering or poorly drained soil is fatal. Does not tolerate irrigation onto the crown or standing water. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is khimp toxic to cats and dogs?

Khimp is mildly toxic to pets. Leptadenia pyrotechnica belongs to family Apocynaceae (subfamily Asclepiadoideae). Research has confirmed the presence of cardenolides (cardiac glycosides), alkaloids, and cytotoxic compounds in stem and latex extracts. It is not individually listed by the ASPCA, but given the documented cardenolide content, it cannot be considered pet-safe. Caution is warranted — keep out of reach of pets and children.

What USDA hardiness zone does khimp grow in?

Khimp is rated for USDA zone 11–12 and RHS hardiness H1a. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Khimp deep-dive guides

Every aspect of khimp care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Khimp qualifies for 2 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Khimp is also known as Khimp, Khip, Markh, Broom Bush, and Desert Broom.