Antimima

Family. Aizoaceae.

Origin. Africa, at an altitude of 200 - 400 m above sea level.

Description. Antimima are very small, succulent, ground cover shrubs that form a compact cushion with tightly compressed leaves and small, charming purple or pink flowers with a lighter center. The stem is short, branched with remnants of old dry leaves, erect or creeping along the ground. The leaves are elongated or spherical, silvery green, covered with a waxy coating, about 4 mm long. and 4 mm. diameter, often with jagged edges. The flowers are tiny - about 16 mm. in diameter, similar to a daisy with purple petals. The fruit is a 5-leaf capsule. Some species of this plant look like living stones. It grows very slowly.

Height. Up to 10 - 15 cm.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

A very heat-loving plant, but will tolerate light frost for short periods of time if placed in dry soil. In winter it may go into a dormant period and stop growing.

Lighting

Requires bright sunlight with light shade in summer, but can also grow in partial shade. When there is insufficient light, the stems stretch and become thinner. 

Care

Antimima is relatively easy to grow, does not require watering and tolerates the dry atmosphere of living spaces. Do not overwater the flower - it can rot.

Substrate

Good drainage is required as the plant is prone to root rot. Can grow outdoors in sunny, dry crevices during the warm season. A mixture of pumice, coarse river sand and humus, even a rather poor one, is suitable.

Feeding

Moderately during the growing season with a fertilizer with a high potassium content diluted by half.

Purpose

A very miniature plant with beautiful flowers for succulent collectors.

Flowering time

Spring Summer. 

Air humidity

It tolerates dry air well and does not need spraying, but during the dormant period it can be sprayed instead of watering.

Soil moisture

In the autumn and winter months, watering should be reduced to a minimum and the soil should be kept almost dry. During the growing season, watering should be quite abundant.

Transfer

Perhaps every 2 - 3 years, since the succulent grows slowly, change the soil if necessary. 

Reproduction

By seeds in spring or (rarely) by division of larger plants. Seeds germinate in 7 - 14 days at a temperature of 21 ° C. 

Pests and diseases

Quite rare.