Scientific Name
Conophytum stephanii Schwantes
Synonym(s)
Conophytum stephanii subsp. stephanii
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Conophytum
Etymology
The specific epithet "stephanii (ste-FAN-ee-eye)" honors the German plant collector Paul Stephan, who tended the succulent collection at the Hamburg Botanic Garden in Hamburg, Germany.
Origin
Conophytum stephanii is endemic to the Richtersveld (from Rosyntjieberg to Steinkopf) in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. It occurs in shaded cracks and crevices on quartz outcrops and open quartz grit pans.
Description
Conophytum stephanii is a dwarf succulent with bodies that consist of two thick, fleshy, almost entirely fused leaves. It grows in clusters, forming a small mound reaching up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. The bodies are obconical and can grow up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) tall and 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) in diameter. They are grey-green to deep reddish-green and covered with long, erect, glassy hairs.
The solitary flowers are nocturnal, strongly scented, off-white, pale yellow, pink, or maroon, and appear in fall.
How to Grow and Care for Conophytum stephanii
Light: This succulent needs bright light but does not like too much direct sun. To avoid sunburn, place your C. stephanii 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. stephanii 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.
Hardiness: High temperatures are not a problem, but the plant can be damaged when the temperature goes below freezing. C. stephanii can withstand temperatures as low as 35 to 50 °F (1.7 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 10b to 11b.
Watering: When dormant in the spring, C. stephanii requires little or no water. When it begins growing in the fall, it is safe to water deeply, allowing the soil to dry before watering again. 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 if repotted every two years.
Repotting: The best time to repot C. stephanii is at the beginning of the active growth period, but repotting can be done at almost any time while the plant is actively growing.
Propagation: Like all Conophytums, this plant is easily propagated by division. It can also be grown from seeds. The best time to divide C. stephanii 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 stephanii
C. stephanii 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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