Schwantesia herrei is a beautiful, small plant that is interesting to grow. It grows primarily during the winter and then enters a dormancy period for the hot summer months.
Scientific Name
Schwantesia herrei L.Bolus L.Bolus
Common Name(s)
Yellow Anglefig
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Schwantesia
Etymology
The specific epithet "herrei (pronounced HER-ray-eye)" honors Hans Herre (1925-1962), a well-known botanist who collected succulents in the Namaqualand and Richtersveld areas of South Africa as well as Namibia.
Origin
Schwantesia herrei is native to South Africa. It grows in crevices of quartzitic ridges in the Richtersveld region in the Northern Cape province.
Description
Schwantesia herrei is a dwarf succulent that forms compact clumps of thick, fleshy, gray-green leaves arranged in opposite pairs. The leaves are erect to spreading, triangular in cross-section, and taper from a broad base. They can measure up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long and 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) wide and thick. While the leaves are symmetrical when young, they become asymmetrical as the plant begins to flower.
During the fall, Schwantesia herrei produces solitary flowers with fleshy, leaf-like sepals, narrow yellow petals often with white bases, and a cluster of yellow stamens at the center. The flowers can reach up to 1.4 inches in diameter and open only at sunset. The fruits are five-locular capsules with valve rims.
How to Grow and Care for Schwantesia herrei
Light: Schwantesia herrei 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: 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 10a to 11b, with average minimum winter temperatures ranging from 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C).
Watering: To keep Schwantesia herrei healthy, it is essential to know when, how much, and how often to water the plant. During its dormant period, typically in the summer, the plant requires little to no water. From fall through spring, water it thoroughly, but allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Fertilizing: If you repot this plant every two years, it does not require any fertilizer.
Repotting: Even if your plant can stay happy in the same pot for years, you can occasionally repot it to give it more space during the growing season. The best time to do this is at the beginning of the growing season.
Propagation: Although Schwantesia herrei is usually started from seeds, it can also be easily propagated from stem cuttings during the growing season.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Mesembs.
Toxicity of Schwantesia herrei
Schwantesia herrei is considered non-toxic, so having it around kids and pets is safe.
Links
- Back to genus Schwantesia
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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