Scientific Name
Orostachys chanetii (H. Lév.) A. Berger
Synonym(s)
Sedum chanetii, Sedum fimbriatum var. chanetii, Sedum pyramidale
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Umbilicinae
Genus: Orostachys
Origin
Orostachys chanetii is native to China. It grows on rocks on slopes and house roofs in Sichuan, Gansu, Shanxi, and Hebei at elevations from 1,310 to 5,580 feet (400 to 1,700 m).
Description
Orostachys chanetii is a small succulent that forms lax rosettes of linear grayish-green leaves often flushed with red. The rosettes grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter. Leaves are cylindrical with an apical spine, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and about 0.15 inches (0.35 cm) in diameter.
The flowers are pinkish or white and can reach up to 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) across. They appear in winter in a dense, many-flowered, pyramidal or oblong inflorescence that can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 4a to 8b: from −30 °F (−34.4 °C) to 20 °F (−6.7 °C).
How to Grow and Care
As with most similar genera of the Crassulaceae family, this plant can survive in fairly poor soil so long as it is well-draining. This genera is very cold-hardy and can survive temperatures of -30 °F (-34 °C). Allow soil to dry to the touch between waterings and avoid getting water on the rosettes. Orostachys actively grow in spring and summer. It requires some bright light and does not tolerate high humidity well.
Orostachys self-propagates through offshoots, and at a given time, one plant will form a dense mat of many. Propagation is primarily through offset separation.
To separate an offset, remove soil from the offset's base to find the stolon (a thick root that attaches the pup to the mother plant). It is best to use an offset that has already established some roots of its own. Cut the stolon close to the pup (to discourage roots growing from the stolon). Place the offset into a small pot with well-draining, sandy soil. Do not water until new growth is noted.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Orostachys.
Links
- Back to genus Orostachys
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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