Scientific Name
Tylecodon pearsonii (Schönland) Toelken
Synonym(s)
Cotyledon luteosquamata, Cotyledon pearsonii
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Tylecodon
Etymology
The specific epithet "pearsonii (pronounced peer-SON-ee-eye)" honors Henry Harold Welch Pearson (1870-1916), a British-born South African botanist.
Origin
Tylecodon pearsonii is native to South Africa (Northern Cape, Western Cape).
Description
Tylecodon pearsonii is an impressive succulent with a swollen base that splits into a few short branches at the apex. It can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall, while the caudex can reach up to 5 inches (12.5 cm) in diameter. At first, branches are covered with almost white round leaf scars, later with brown peeling bark. The leaves are grey-green to greyish-brown, usually glabrous or with a few glandular hairs when young. They can grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) long and 0.15 inches (0.4 cm) in diameter.
When the plant sheds its leaves in midsummer, the flowers appear on branched stalks that can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) long. The flowers are urn-shaped, whitish or yellowish, with reddish-brown stripes and fine hairs on the inside, and can reach up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in length.
How to Grow and Care for Tylecodon pearsonii
Light: This succulent can tolerate direct sunlight without problems, but it will also grow beautifully in partial shade.
Soil: A well-draining soil mix is key to healthy T. pearsonii. Poor drainage and overwatering most commonly cause root rot in both indoor and outdoor plants. Indoors, it is essential to use pots with at least one drainage hole at the bottom.
Hardiness: Like all Tylecodons, this succulent is highly tolerant of high temperatures and cold, frost-free conditions during the winter. T. pearsonii can withstand temperatures as low as 25 to 50 °F (-3.9 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b.
Watering: As a winter grower, T. pearsonii requires careful watering during winter and spring. Get the soil wet, and then wait until it is dry before watering again. In 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 this plant often. You can do it when the container becomes too small or shallow.
Propagation: T. pearsonii can be cultivated either by seed or by cuttings. Sow the seeds in fall and winter. The best time for taking cuttings is the fall.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Tylecodon.
Toxicity of Tylecodon pearsonii
T. pearsonii is adapted to avoid animal predation being poisonous. Therefore, keep it 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
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