Conophytum is a genus of about 110 succulents that belong to the group of plants called Mesembs. The name "Mesemb" is derived from the old family name Mesembryanthemaceae, now placed in Aizoaceae. The species are native to South Africa and southern Namibia, typically found in the arid and semi-arid winter rainfall areas. They are commonly known as Button Plants, Cone Plants, Dumplings, or Living Pebbles.
The first specimens of this genus were collected by the Scottish botanist Francis Masson in 1776 and sent to the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew. In 1821, the plants were first described by Adrian Hardy Haworth. He described two different species, Conophytum obcordellum and Conophytum obconellum, later combined into one species, Conophytum obcordellum. The genus was officially recognized and formally described by Nicholas Edward Brown in 1922.
The genus is sometimes wrongly referred to as Conophyton, a generic name suggested by Adrian Hardy Haworth in 1821. The generic name "Conophytum" derives from the Latin "conus," meaning "cone," and the Greek "phytum," meaning "plant," and refers to the fused, cone-shaped leaves in most of the species.
Conophytums are dwarf plants that usually form dense clusters of leaf pairs, but some species are solitary. The bodies consist of two fleshy, partially or entirely fused leaves and range in height from 0.25 to 2 inches (0.6 to 5 cm). They can be bilobed, ball-shaped, tubular to conical, egg-shaped, or cylindrical with very smooth to hairy or slightly rough epidermis, sometimes spotted, lined, or windowed. The plant colors range from green and blue to red and brown. Conophytums can be divided into day-blooming, twilight-blooming, and night-blooming species. Most of them produce flowers in late summer through fall. The flowers are small, daisy-like, and in a wide range of colors with yellow or orange centers.
Some species of Conophytum are mistaken for Lithops. Their conically united leaves and petals fused into a basal tube distinguish them from most other mesembs.
Growing Conditions for Conophytum
Conophytums are usually grown in containers where they spread slowly. These succulents are ideal for growers with limited growing space. Conophytums also do well in rock crevices.
Light
Most Conophytums need bright light but do not like too much direct sun. To avoid sunburn, place them in a position to receive a few hours of full sun in cooler periods of the day. At the end of the dormant season, increase sun exposure gradually over several days to prevent shocking the plant. The plants stretch if they need more light.
Soil
Conophytums thrive 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 for Conophytums, but they can be damaged when the temperature goes below 32 °F (0 °C). If you live in colder areas where winter temperatures drop below freezing, growing these plants in containers that can be brought indoors is best.
Pot Size
Conophytums spread up to 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter in habitat, but in cultivation, they are usually grown in pots with a diameter of about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm).
General Care for Conophytum
As with all Mesembs, Conophytums have a specific growing and resting period. They actively grow from fall to winter and go through a period of dormancy from spring to summer when the existing leaves dry up and protect the new pair of leaves in a papery sheath. The plant resembles a pebble during this period, hence the common name "Living Pebble."
Watering
When Conophytums go dormant in the spring, they require little or no water. When plants begin 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 Conophytum needs water. Too much water can lead to root rot or produce a new pair of leaves at the wrong time of year.
Fertilizing
Conophytums are light feeders and do not need fertilizer if repotted every two years. It is best to feed at the beginning of the growth period and just before flowering. Use a fertilizer with low nitrogen levels diluted to half or quarter strength.
Repotting
Conophytums 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 the period of active growth, but repotting can be done at almost any time while the plants are actively growing.
How to Propagate Conophytum
Conophytums are easily propagated by division. They can also be grown from seeds.
Division
It is possible to establish a new plant from one rooted pair of leaves, but dividing mature Conophytums into clusters of 2 to 4 rooted pairs of leaves is recommended. Remove the plant from its pot, carefully cut through the roots, and repot each cluster into its own pot. The best time to divide Conophytums is in late summer or early fall before the plants begin to break dormancy or after they have flowered.
Seeds
Sow the seeds in the fall in a pot with a well-drained soil mix and cover them with a very thin layer of fine sand. Place the pot in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. At temperatures between 65 and 70 °F (15 and 21 °C), germination usually takes a week or two. Reduce watering gradually as the seedlings grow.
Pests and Diseases of Conophytum
Once established, Conophytums are relatively trouble-free, but a few pests and several diseases can sometimes occur.
Pests
Root mealybugs are one of the most common pests that can affect Conophytums. Alongside regular care and a watchful eye, the best preventative measure is watering with a suitable insecticide once during the fall. Sometimes, slugs, snails, and caterpillars start munching the plants. They are best hunted at night.
Diseases
The most common plant diseases typically have little to no impact on Conophytum. Remove dead flowers and old sheaths after the new leaves have broken through to prevent botrytis.
Toxicity of Conophytum
Conophytums are 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