| Description: |
Most species grown as house plants have fleshy leaves in a multi-seried rosette, but others in the wild get to the size of small trees. |
| Uses: |
Container, Ground cover, Rock garden, Topical-Medicinal |
| Origin: |
South Africa, Canary Islands |
| Environment: |
Suitable for the home or a greenhouse |
| Lighting Needs: |
Does best in full sunlight coming from the South/East/West |
| Soil Type: |
A GOOD general purpose potting soil (a soil that retains water yet drains well) with a little added sand or if you want to mix your own take:
3 parts coarse sand or perlite, 2 parts garden soil, 2 parts humus (leaf mold), 1 part rinsed aquarium charcoal chips and a dusting of bone meal and limestone or a couple of eggshells (which can be substituted for limestone).
Always use a pot with a hole.
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| Watering: |
Drench the soil and let it become barely moist between waterings. If you use rainwater, be careful as it could be acidic. Use warm water. |
| Fertilizer: |
Feed only twice a year, once in April and once in July with a water soluble fertilizer. |
| Plant Pests: |
Prone to mealy bugs and rarely scale. Always inspect any new plant for pests before introducing it to your home or greenhouse. |
| Propagation: |
Seeds/ offsets
in the spring through summer.
Early summer, Early fall, Early spring, Early winter, Late summer, Late fall, Late spring, Late winter, Mid summer, Mid fall, Mid spring, Mid winter
Propagate them in evenly moist soil, mist occasionally and keep in filtered sunlight until they are growing.
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| Gardening Tips & Care: |
Provide good ventilation and keep it cool and drier than normal during the winter. Be careful not to over-water. Put a layer of small gravel at the bottom of the pot and also one inch on the top of the soil to prevent stem rot.
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| Air Purifier: |
Some species remove formaldehyde from the surrounding atmosphere. |