Scientific Name
Conophytum marginatum Lavis
Synonym(s)
Conophytum marginatum var. marginatum
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Conophytum
Etymology
The specific epithet "marginatum (mar-jen-AY-tum)" means "having a border or margin" and refers to the green or red-lined keels and margins.
Origin
Conophytum marginatum is native to South Africa. It grows on or between quartzite cliffs in the Northern Cape province.
Description
Conophytum marginatum is a dwarf succulent with long-cylindrical or pear-shaped bodies, keeled at the apex and often bilobate. It freely produces offsets, forming a clump up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter. The bodies are up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) tall, up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter, and consist of two opposite, partially to almost completely fused leaves. The leaves are thick, fleshy, smooth or finely papillate, greyish-green to chalky green, heavily spotted with green, especially on keels, and often glazed with red.
The solitary flowers are diurnal, scentless, daisy-like with magenta-colored petals, appear in fall, and usually stay open for a few days. Fruits are 4- to 6-chambered capsules.
How to Grow and Care for Conophytum marginatum
Light: This succulent needs bright light but does not like too much direct sun. To avoid sunburn, place your C. marginatum in a position to receive a few hours of full sun in cooler periods of the day. The plant stretches if it needs more light.
Soil: C. marginatum thrives best in porous soil mixes that allow water to drain away quickly. Use a commercial potting mix specially designed for growing succulents, or make your own.
Temperature: High temperatures are not a problem, but the plant can be damaged when the temperature goes below freezing. C. marginatum can withstand temperatures as low as 35 °F (1.7 °C). USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10b to 11b, 35 to 50 °F (1.7 to 10 °C).
Watering: When it goes dormant in the spring, C. marginatum requires little or no water. When it begins to grow again in the fall, it is safe to water deeply, allowing the soil to dry before between waterings. If leaves start to wrinkle during active growth, your plant needs water.
Fertilizing: This small succulent is a light feeder and does not need fertilizer is repotted every two years.
Repotting: The best time to repot C. marginatum is at the beginning of the active growth period, but the repotting can be done almost any time while the plant is actively growing.
Propagation: This species is usually grown from seeds. Like all Conophytums, it is also easily propagated by division. The best time to divide C. marginatum is in late summer or early fall before it begins to break dormancy or after it has flowered. Sow the seeds in fall in a pot with a well-drained soil mix.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Conophytum.
Toxicity of Conophytum marginatum
C. marginatum is non-toxic and safe to grow around children and pets.
Links
- Back to genus Conophytum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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