Scientific Name
Tylecodon albiflorus Bruyns
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Tylecodon
Etymology
The cultivar epithet "albiflorus (al-BIH-flor-us)" means "white-flowered" and refers to the white flowers of this species.
Origin
Tylecodon albiflorus is native to South Africa (Western Cape).
Description
Tylecodon albiflorus is a small succulent shrub with an underground tuberous stem base and 1 to 3 erect to spreading branches. It can grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) tall. The tuber is short, greenish with yellowish-brown peeling bark and can reach up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) in diameter. The leaves are green, hairy, packed in an apical rosette, and can grow up to 2.2 inches (5.5 cm) long up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) wide.
The flowers are white with maroon-brown stripes and appear arranged in erect to spreading thyrses in summer after the plant loses its leaves.
How to Grow and Care for Tylecodon albiflorus
Soil: A well-draining soil mix is the key to healthy Tylecodon. Poor drainage and overwatering most commonly cause root rot in both indoor and outdoor plants.
Light: Tylecodons can survive direct sunlight exposure without problems, but they will grow beautifully in shadow.
Hardiness: Tylecodon albiflorus can withstand temperatures as low as 35 to 50 °F (1.7 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 10b to 11b.
Watering: As winter is the growing season, Tylecodons require careful watering from winter until the spring. Get the soil wet, and then wait until it is dry before watering again. In the summer, reduce watering to once per month.
Fertilizing: Use liquid fertilizer for cacti and other succulents in winter.
Repotting: You do not need to repot these plants often. You can do it when the container becomes too small or shallow.
Propagation: Tylecodons can be cultivated either by seed or by cuttings.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Tylecodon.
Toxicity of Tylecodon albiflorus
Tylecodon species are adapted to avoid animal predation being poisonous. Therefore, keep them away from children, pets, and livestock.
Links
- Back to genus Tylecodon
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
