Gibbaeum

Family. Aizoaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Gibbaeums are dwarf succulents quite varied in appearance, but all are characterized by asymmetrical pairs of succulent thick leaves, mostly spherical. The leaf sizes of each pair are almost always different. May have short side stems. The leaves are thick and round, very hard to the touch, and often have a velvety appearance, as many species have tiny hairs covering them. 

The foliage colour varies between cultivars from green, bluish-green, sometimes tinged with yellow, red or purple when grown in full sun. The flowers are solitary, pink, white or purple, 2–4 cm in diameter, on short peduncles 1–1.5 cm long, emerging from the centre of each pair of leaves. The plants bloom from July to November in response to rain. The buds open during the day and close in the evening. The fruits are dry capsules with 6–9 segments containing small round seeds.

Height. Up to 20 cm.

Home care

Temperature conditions

During the warm season, normal room temperature is suitable. Temperatures should remain above 10°C during winter.

Lighting

Needs a bright, sunny location. Light shading is possible only on hot summer days.

Care

An easy-to-grow plant that only does not tolerate waterlogging. It can grow outdoors during the warm season.

Substrate

Welcomes light and loose soils with a high content of coarse sand, quite poor, requires good drainage, as it is prone to root rot. 

Feeding

Fertilize once during the growing season with a cactus and succulent fertilizer (low nitrogen) at half strength. 

Flowering time

Spring or autumn. 

Air humidity

Tolerates even the driest air. You can spray only instead of watering during the dormant period. 

Watering

Gibbaeum can tolerate long periods of drought, but after them it requires careful watering. During the dormant period, water minimally, and only when the leaves wrinkle, watering can be replaced by spraying. Water abundantly during the growing season, but do not allow water to stagnate or the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Pests and diseases

An excess of nutrients in the soil, as well as excess fertilizers, cause active growth of green mass, which will subsequently be susceptible to fungal diseases. Leaves crack when overwatered. 

Pests may include insects such as spider mites and mealybugs.

Transfer

Adult specimens are replanted before flowering every 2–3 years.

Reproduction

Seeds in the fall or (less often) cuttings. The places where the cuttings are cut should be dried for several days, after which the cuttings should be inserted into moist soil.