Nananthus

Family. Aizoaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Nananthus is a compact succulent plant that forms rosettes of thick, succulent leaves. Each bush bears about 7 pairs of lanceolate leaves of dark green color, sometimes with small specks, each up to 3 cm long, the leaves are covered with tubercles. The flowers are quite large compared to the size of the plant itself - their diameter is 2 - 2.5 cm, yellow, less often orange, similar to daisies, open during the day and close again at night. Some species develop a caudex with age. What makes these succulents especially attractive is their powerful root system with thick brown roots.

Height. The ground part does not exceed 15 cm.

Nananthus - home care

Temperature conditions

Loves differences in day and night temperatures, in spring and summer it can be kept at a temperature of about 20° C. In winter it prefers to be cool - move it to a room with a temperature of about 10 - 12° C. When kept in very dry soil, it can withstand short frosts up to - 12°C. 

Lighting

A well-lit place without direct sunlight during the day. 

Care

An easy to grow plant that does not tolerate waterlogging. Can be grown outdoors during warmer months.

Substrate

The soil must have excellent drainage to avoid root rot. A special mineral mixture for succulent plants with the addition of a large amount of sand is suitable.

Feeding

Feed monthly with a low nitrogen fertilizer for cacti and succulents at half strength. In winter, when the plant is dormant, feeding is stopped.

Purpose

An excellent plant for growing in bonsai style. Rosettes that are too tall are trimmed and form a compact crown. Every year the plant is planted at a shallower depth to expose powerful roots.

Flowering time

Autumn.

Air humidity

Loves good air circulation; during the rest period the air should be dry. Nananthus are not sprayed. 

Soil moisture

Nananthus are drought-resistant. During the dormant period, watering should be kept to a minimum - the leaves may even wrinkle between waterings. When the plant is actively developing, water so that the top layer of soil dries out before the next watering. Excess water accumulated in the tray after watering must be drained a few minutes after it appears.

Transfer

Young succulents are placed in fairly deep pots and replanted in the spring. As the bush ages, it develops a very interesting root system and adult plants are gradually planted at a shallower depth to show off the roots.

Reproduction

Leaf cuttings, after drying the cut site for several days so that they do not rot. Rooting is carried out in wet sand. They are rarely propagated by seeds, as this is a very long process.

Pests and diseases

With insufficient drainage, putrefactive manifestations develop.