Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Silver Nickle Dyckia
Silver Nickle Dyckia is a rosette of long, narrow, silvery leaves edged with white spines, about a foot tall and 15 to 18 inches across. In spring it sends up tall red stalks of orange tubular flowers. Over time it forms clusters that can grow much larger. It is one of the more cold-tolerant dyckias, and it suits rock gardens, mass plantings and pots.
Best for: rock gardens, mass plantings, pots and small beds where a silvery rosette can form a cluster.
Its narrow silver leaves look good among rocks and in small beds with fast-draining soil. Each rosette grows about 15 to 18 inches across.
It forms clusters that can grow much larger over the years. Plant several together for a silvery mass that fills in with pups.
It grows well in a pot at least as wide as the plant. Use a fast-draining mix and a pot with a drainage hole.
Standing water rots the roots, so keep it out of soggy spots. In the low desert, harsh afternoon sun is hard on it. The hooked spines are sharp, so plant it back from walks.
- Small varieties5 in apart
- Larger varieties16 in apart
Water regularly while it grows in spring and summer, and keep it drier in winter. If it goes too dry, it stops growing and the leaves wilt, so water again.
Leaf color is best in sun. In the low desert, plant it where it is protected from harsh afternoon sun.
It is rated hardy to about 16°F. Cover young plants with frost cloth when a hard frost is forecast during their first winter.
The leaf edges have sharp spines, so wear gloves and long sleeves. No pruning is needed, so just pull out dead leaves.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
Is Silver Nickle the same as Dyckia Nickel Silver?
The name matches Dyckia 'Nickel Silver', a silvery dyckia with narrow leaves and white spines. Local growers list it as Silver Nickle, and the care is the same.
What is a Dyckia?
A Dyckia is a spiny bromeliad in the pineapple family that looks like a small agave. Plant it in fast-draining soil and water it like a succulent.
How big does it get?
Each rosette grows about a foot tall and 15 to 18 inches across. It forms clusters that can grow much larger, so leave room for it to spread.
How cold hardy is it?
It is rated to about 16°F, which makes it one of the more cold-tolerant dyckias. Cover young plants with frost cloth on hard frost nights.
Does it bloom?
Yes, in spring it sends up red stalks 3 to 4 feet tall with orange flowers. Cut off the spent stalks once they dry.
Does it need full sun?
It grows in sun or part shade. In the low desert, plant it where it gets some protection from the harsh afternoon sun.
How often should I water it?
Water it regularly in the warm season and keep it drier in winter. If it stops growing and the leaves wilt, give it a drink.
Are the spines sharp?
Yes, the spines are hooked and sharp. Wear gloves when you handle it and plant it back from walks.
Silver Nickle Dyckia for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Silver Nickle is a silvery Dyckia, a spiny bromeliad also sold as Dyckia 'Nickel Silver'. It slowly forms clusters of narrow silver leaves and sends up orange flowers on red stalks in spring. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard, from size and sun to water and cold care.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
What is Silver Nickle Dyckia?
Silver Nickle is a silvery Dyckia, a spiny bromeliad with long, narrow leaves and white spines. It matches the variety sold as Dyckia 'Nickel Silver'.
How big does Silver Nickle Dyckia get?
Each rosette is about a foot tall and 15 to 18 inches across, and clusters grow larger over time. Spring flower stalks reach 3 to 4 feet.
Is Silver Nickle Dyckia cold hardy?
It is rated to about 16°F, colder than many dyckias. Cover young plants with frost cloth on hard frost nights.
Growing Silver Nickle Dyckia in Phoenix
Plant it in fast-draining soil in sun or part shade. In the low desert, give it some protection from the harsh afternoon sun.
Watering Silver Nickle Dyckia
Water it regularly in the warm season and keep it drier in winter. Standing water rots the roots, so plant it where water drains away.
Silver Nickle Dyckia in pots and rock gardens
It suits rock gardens, mass plantings and patio pots. In a pot, use a fast-draining mix and a pot at least as wide as the plant.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.