Scientific Name
Tulista minor (Aiton) Gideon F.Sm. & Molteno
Synonym(s)
Aloe brevis, Aloe erecta, Aloe granata, Aloe margaritifera var. major, Aloe margaritifera var. maxima, Aloe margaritifera var. minima, Aloe margaritifera var. minor, Aloe minor, Aloe semimargaritifera var. maxima, Apicra granata, Apicra maxima, Apicra minor, Catevala minima, Haworthia brevis, Haworthia erecta, Haworthia granata, Haworthia granata var. polyphylla, Haworthia major, Haworthia margaritifera var. corallina, Haworthia margaritifera var. erecta, Haworthia margaritifera var. granata, Haworthia maxima, Haworthia minima, Haworthia minor, Haworthia mutabilis, Haworthia opalina, Haworthia poellnitziana, Haworthia pumila subsp. minima, Haworthia semimargaritifera var. maxima, Haworthia uitewaaliana, Tulista minima, Tulista minima var. poellnitziana, Tulista opalina
Scientific Classification
Family: Asphodeloideae
Subfamily: Asphodeloideae
Tribe: Aloeae
Genus: Tulista
Origin
This species is native to South Africa. It occurs in Coastal Renosterbos from Bredasdorp eastwards to the Gouritz River and inland to Swellendam and Heidelberg.
Description
Tulista minor, also known as Haworthia minor, Tulista minima, or Haworthia minima, is a small succulent that forms rosettes of thick fleshy blue-green leaves covered with attractive white tubercles. It grows solitary or in clumps. The rosettes grow up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. Flowers are white with pink tips and appear in the summer. T. minor is a variable species with several forms differing in the shape, size, and color of the leaves and the shape of the rosette and tubercles.
Etymology
The specific epithet "minor (MY-nor)" is a Latin adjective, meaning "less, lesser, inferior, smaller," and refers to the size of the species, which is smaller compared to its closest relatives.
T. minor was formerly classified in the genus Haworthia as Haworthia minima. However, this was not the correct name, as Haworthia minor had priority. When the species was transferred to the new genus Tulista, it was first published as Tulista minima, also an invalid name. The name Tulista minor was published in 2018.
How to Grow and Care for Tulista minor
Light: Tulistas tolerate full sun, but they prefer semi-shaded positions. Any window in your home or office is likely to be an appropriate setting for Tulistas.
Soil: Use a commercial soil formulated for succulents or make your own well-draining potting mix.
Hardiness: Tulista minor can withstand temperatures as low as 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b.
Watering: In spring and fall, when the growth is most active, water Tulistas thoroughly, then wait until the top of the soil dries out before watering again. Water your plants less during the winter when their growth slows down significantly. During the hottest summer months, when Tulistas are mostly dormant, water just enough to keep the leaves from shriveling.
Fertilizing: Tulistas do not require much fertilizer. However, for optimum growth, fertilization is a good idea. Feed during the growing season with a weak fertilizer solution. Do not fertilize during the winter.
Repotting: When it begins to outgrow its pot, repot your Tulista in a new shallow and slightly larger pot with fresh soil. The best time to repot is in the spring or early summer.
Propagation: Using seeds or offsets are the most frequently used methods.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Tulista.
Toxicity of Tulista minor
Tulistas are generally non-toxic to humans and animals.
Forms of Tulista minor
Links
- Back to genus Tulista
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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