Calandrinia creethae | World of Succulents

Scientific Name

Calandrinia creethae Tratman ex Morrison

Synonyms

Parakeelya creethae

Scientific Classification

Family: Montiaceae
Genus: Calandrinia

Description

Calandrinia creethae is a prostrate to low annual herb up to 2 inches (5 cm) tall. The leaves are succulent, up to 2.4 inches (6 cm) long, with an elongated (often balloon) shape. The foliage can vary in color from bright green to yellow and pink. Flowers appear on long branched stems, in clusters of 10 or more. They are six-petaled blooms up to 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter, with long stamens and are white or mauve in color. Flowering usually occurs in spring.

Photo via australiansucculents.com

How to Grow and Care

Calandrinia plants are very easy to care for as they can tolerate prolonged dry periods. They do not like to much water, especially in the winter. Plants are able to grow as a short lived perennial in warm regions but should be grown as annuals elsewhere. Propagate by taking cuttings or allow plants to self seed in situ.

If you plan to grow outdoors from seed then Calandrinia species should be sown at a depth of 0.1 inch (3 mm) after the last frost of spring. If you prefer to start off Calandrinia as seeds indoors then they should be started off about eight weeks before they are due to be put out.

They should be grown at a temperature of 55 to 59°F (13 to 15°C), and take from one to two weeks to germinate. The seedlings of Calandrinia should be planted out with a spacing of about 8 inches (20 cm) following the last possible frost of spring into an area that receives plenty of sun, and into a gritty or sandy soil… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Calandrinia.