Cephalophyllum

Family. Aizoaceae.

Origin. South Africa.

Description. Cephalophyllum is a perennial succulent plant with creeping stems, forming a dense mat with age. The leaves are long - 6 - 12 cm, cylindrical, juicy, rounded in cross-section, with sharp tips, light green. Each new pair of leaves appears from a gap between old leaves. Some species have a glaucous bloom on the leaves. Cephalophyllum is the owner of the most spectacular and largest flowers in the Aizoaceae family - their diameter reaches 8 - 10 cm. The buds have long, thin and narrow petals painted in bright colors - yellow, orange, red, pink. The flowers fully open only during the day in good light. If there is no sun, the flowers remain half-closed.

Height. Does not exceed 15 cm, develops quite easily and quickly.

Care at home

Temperature conditions

In spring and summer, cephalophyllum will easily tolerate the most intense heat, but in the fall the temperature should be lowered so that the plants can rest during the winter months. The rest period should take place at a temperature of 12 - 15 ° C.

Lighting

A brightly lit place with direct sunlight in the morning and evening. Light shading is only required during particularly hot daytime hours. In autumn and winter, place the succulent on the brightest windowsill. Insufficient light will result in no flowering.

Care

Cephalophyllum requires a certain temperature regime and frequency of watering.

Substrate

The planting substrate should be sandy, well-drained with mild acidity (6.1 - 6.5 pH). Grows well even in nutrient-poor substrates. Drainage material should make up at least 30 - 40% of the total volume of the mixture. 

Feeding

Fertilize monthly with succulent fertilizer at half strength in spring and summer.

Flowering time

Summer. 

Air humidity

There is no need to increase the air humidity, cephalophyllum is adapted to dry conditions. In the cold months, the air in the room should be dry. The bush will appreciate ventilated rooms with sufficient air movement.

Soil moisture

Water sparingly even during the growing season - dry the soil to 1/3 of its depth before each subsequent watering. In autumn, reduce the frequency of watering even more and keep the soil practically dry in winter. If possible, use bottom watering so that droplets of moisture do not fall on the above-ground part of the plants. 

Transplant

Cephalophyllums are miniature and do not require large amounts of nutrients in the soil, so replanting can only be done every 3 to 4 years, in the spring, before new growth begins. 

Reproduction

It reproduces quite successfully by seeds. Vegetative propagation is carried out using stem cuttings. 

Pests and diseases

Excess nutrients lead to an abundant growth of green mass, the plants become bloated and untidy. Excessive watering causes rot to appear.

The leaves may be infested with harmful insects such as aphids, mealybugs and spider mites.