Mesembryanthemum tenuiflorum is a small plant with interesting foliage and showy flowers, making it an excellent addition to any collection.
Scientific Name
Mesembryanthemum tenuiflorum Jacq.
Synonym(s)
Nycteranthus tenuiflorus, Phyllobolus tenuiflorus, Sphalmanthus tenuiflorus
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Mesembryanthemoideae
Genus: Mesembryanthemum
Etymology
The specific epithet "tenuiflorum (ten-yoo-ee-FLOR-um)" means "having slender flowers."
Origin
Mesembryanthemum tenuiflorum is native to South Africa. It grows on quartzite outcrops in the Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces.
Description
Mesembryanthemum tenuiflorum, also known as Phyllobolus tenuiflorus or Sphalmanthus tenuiflorus, is a succulent geophyte with thick rootstock and stems that spread out with fleshy, subcylindrical leaves. The rootstock can reach up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter. The leaves are opposite, arranged in 4 rows below the inflorescence, and covered with large-tipped or hair-like bladder cells.
During winter, Mesembryanthemum tenuiflorum produces greenish-yellow to yellow flowers, sometimes with greyish-pink outer petals. The flowers can reach up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter. The fruits are 5-locular capsules that contain brown seeds.
How to Grow and Care for Mesembryanthemum tenuiflorum
Light: This succulent requires bright light but not too much direct sunlight. So, a windowsill that receives 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon will be a perfect spot for indoor growing.
Soil: Mesembryanthemum tenuiflorum 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 plant healthy, it is most important to know when, how much, and how often to water. During the dormant period, usually in summer, Mesembryanthemum tenuiflorum requires little or no water. In the fall, once it grows again, water 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 it can stay happy in the same pot for years, once in a while, you can repot your plant to give it more space anytime during the growing season. However, the best time is at the beginning of the growing season.
Propagation: Although it is usually started from seeds, Mesembryanthemum tenuiflorum can also be propagated by division. Late summer, just before it begins to break dormancy, is the best time to divide the plant, while the fall is ideal for sowing the seeds.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Mesembs.
Toxicity of Mesembryanthemum tenuiflorum
Mesembryanthemum tenuiflorum is considered non-toxic, so having it around kids and pets is safe.
Links
- Back to genus Mesembryanthemum
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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