Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade; avoid intense western exposure and reflected heat.
Water: Moderate to regular water; keep soil evenly moist but not soggy. Check frequently during Phoenix summers, especially in containers.
Soil: Well-drained soil enriched with compost; mulch to conserve moisture and keep roots cooler.
Mature size: Typically 1–2 feet tall and 1–3 feet wide initially; underground rhizomes can spread much farther.
Bloom: Small flowers appear in summer, followed by lantern-like husks coloring in late summer and fall. Extreme heat may reduce flowering and fruit set.
Evergreen / deciduous: Deciduous herbaceous perennial; normally dies back for winter.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast in favorable conditions; often slower or stressed in desert heat.