Drosanthemum

Family. Aizoaceae.

Origin. South and South West Africa.

Description. Drosanthemum is a low-growing, dense, compact, succulent perennial. The root system is shallow and fibrous. The stems are lodging and can form adventitious roots. The leaves are opposite, small, light green, almost cylindrical, at the tops they become reddish in good light. The stems and leaves have shiny papillae that resemble dew drops when exposed to sunlight. Flowers with a diameter of up to 5 cm, in the widest range of colors - white, yellow, orange, red, purple and pink, except for blue ones, there are two-color varieties. Petals are long and numerous. The flowering is so abundant that the buds can completely hide the leaves.

Height. Shrub up to 60 cm tall

Care at home

Temperature conditions

Normal room temperature is 18 - 21°C during the warm season. Place the plant in a cool place with a temperature of around 13 ° C during the winter.

Lighting

Requires a brightly lit location for abundant flowering.

Care

Remove dried leaves and faded buds to extend the flowering period. 

Substrate

A soil with plenty of sand or perlite to improve drainage and a small amount of very well-rotted compost is suitable.

Feeding

The bushes respond well to organic fertilizers. Feed every two weeks during the period of active growth with fertilizers at half concentration.

Purpose

Grow drosanthemum in a hanging basket with the stems hanging over the edge of the pot. Can also be grown with other succulents and as a ground cover.

Flowering time

Early summer, in cloudy weather the flowers often remain closed.

Air humidity

Does not require spraying. 

Soil moisture

The frequency of watering directly depends on the ambient temperature. Water moderately in summer and remove excess water from the tray. In winter, water very sparingly, keeping the soil barely moist.

Transfer

Every year in the spring.

Reproduction

Seeds, but it is much easier to grow this plant from cuttings taken in October or early March. Root the cuttings in moist, clean river sand. Cover the crops with glass or a plastic cap, and replace watering with spraying until complete rooting. 

Pests and diseases

Dark brown or soft spots around the base of the plant are the result of overwatering. Root rot often occurs in poorly drained soil.