Conophytum meyeri

Scientific Name

Conophytum meyeri N.E.Br.

Synonym(s)

Conophytum meyeri var. meyeri, Conophytum candidum, Conophytum corculum, Conophytum ecarinatum var. candidum, Conophytum extractum, Conophytum globuliforme, Conophytum laetum, Conophytum leopardinum, Conophytum longibracteatum, Conophytum microstoma, Conophytum nanum, Conophytum niveum, Conophytum ovigerum, Conophytum papillatum, Conophytum puberulum, Conophytum ramosum, Conophytum retusum, Conophytum semilunulum

Scientific Classification

Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Conophytum

Description

Conophytum meyeri is a dwarf, freely branching succulent that forms a large mat of grayish-green leaves with lovely yellow flowers. The paired leaves are grayish to pale grey-green, up to 2 inches (5 cm) long, up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) wide, and up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) thick. Flowers are solitary, showy, scentless, early diurnal, and daisy-like with a prominent perianth tube.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zones 10b to 11b: from 35 °F (+1.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Most Conophytums need bright light but do not like too much intense sunlight. To avoid sunburn, place them in a position to receive a few hours of full sun in cooler periods of the day.

These plants thrive best in a porous growing medium that will drain quickly. Use a commercial succulent soil specially designed for growing succulents or make your own mix.

When Conophytums go dormant in the spring, they require little or no water. In the fall, when plants will begin growing, it is safe to water deeply, allowing the soil to dry before watering again.

Conophytums are light feeders and do not need fertilizer at all if they are repotted every two years. It is best to feed at the beginning of the growth period and just before flowering.

These succulents will benefit from repotting. Depending on the pot's size and growth rate, they typically need to be repotted every 2 to 4 years. The best time to repot a Conophytum is at the beginning of a period of active growth.

Conophytums are easily propagated by division. They can also be grown from seeds.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Conophytum.

Origin

This species is native to South Africa (Northern Cape).