Drosanthemum stokoei is a lovely, low-growing plant with succulent leaves adorned with shiny, translucent papillae, a distinctive feature of the genus. It is an excellent choice for waterwise gardens, especially in regions with hot, dry summers.
Scientific Name
Drosanthemum stokoei L.Bolus
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Ruschioideae
Tribe: Ruschieae
Genus: Drosanthemum
Etymology
The specific epithet "stokoei" (pronounced sto-KO-ee-eye) honors Thomas Pearson Stokoe (1868-1959), a British-born South African mountaineer and plant collector.
Origin
Drosanthemum stokoei is native to South Africa. It grows in shallow soil over rock in the Western Cape province.
Description
Drosanthemum stokoei is a dwarf succulent shrublet with decumbent branches that bear fleshy, pale green leaves covered with glistening bladder cells. The leaves are cylindrical, incurved, and often have red tips.
In the spring, Drosanthemum stokoei produces solitary flowers with numerous narrow, magenta petals. The fruits are five-locular capsules with transparent membranous covering, containing many light brown seeds.
How to Grow and Care for Drosanthemum stokoei
Light: Drosanthemum stokoei requires bright light but not too much direct sunlight. So, a windowsill with 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon will be perfect for indoor growing.
Soil: The plant thrives in porous soil, allowing the water to drain away quickly. Therefore, use commercial soil for succulents or make your own well-draining mix.
Temperature: High temperatures are not a problem as long as there is plenty of fresh air, but this plant is not cold-hardy. It grows best in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9b to 11b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 25 to 50 °F (-3.9 to 10 °C).
Watering: To keep your Drosanthemum stokoei healthy, it is most important to know when, how much, and how often to water it. During the dormant period, usually in winter, the plant requires little or no water. From spring to fall, water it thoroughly but allow the soil to dry between waterings.
Fertilizing: As long as you repot this plant every two years, it does not need fertilizer.
Repotting: Even if your plant can stay happy in the same pot for years, you can repot it occasionally to give it more space during the growing season. However, the best time is at the beginning of the season.
Propagation: There are three methods for propagating Drosanthemum stokoei. The first is to divide the clumps during the growing season, which is quite simple. The second method is to start the plant from seeds by sowing them in well-draining soil during spring. However, propagating the plant by stem cuttings can be challenging due to the high risk of rot.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Mesembs.
Toxicity of Drosanthemum stokoei
Drosanthemum stokoei is considered non-toxic and safe around kids and pets.
Links
- Back to genus Drosanthemum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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