The Tacitus Bellus is a succulent flowering plant in the Crassulaceae family. It was discovered in 1972 in Chihuahua and Sonora, Mexico growing at a high altitude.
The Tacitus Bellus plant is also known as the Graptopetalum Bellum, its previous name, and the chihuahua flower.
The succulent is flat with rose-like leaves that fill with water. The flowers are bright pink and vibrant when it blooms, giving it its chihuahua flower nickname.
Quick Facts On The Tacitus Bellus Plant
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Light: Full Sun With Shade
- Temperature: 50° to 80° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Make sure the soil is completely dry before watering
- Fertilizer: Weak Standard Fertilizer
- Propagation: Leaf cuttings or Seeds
- Common Problems: Root rot, Mealybugs
Tacitus Bellus Plant Care
What Does The Tacitus Bellus Plant Look Like And How Big Does It Grow?
An individual Tacitus Bellus can grow up to 4″ inches wide but almost flat to the ground and soil. Each leaf on the Tacitus Bellus grows triangular and can be about 1″ inch long.
The plant itself is a flat rose shape, and its flowers emerge from the center of the plant.
The flowers of chihuahua flowers are quite bright pink and red. They can grow quite tall with red stalks up to 4″ inches.
The flowers are star-shaped with 5 petals. Its seeds poke out of the flowers with individual stalks for each seed.
When Does Tacitus Bellus Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
The Tacitus Bellus flowers in early spring and summer and rests during the winter.
When growing a Tacitus Bellus in your garden, it is best to make sure it gets sun with some shade throughout the day and year to bloom during the growing season.
The bright pink flowers are not fragrant but vibrant in color.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
The chihuahua flower needs bright sunlight and some shade throughout the day.
It can handle more shade than the other plants in its family but still needs a bit of sun to bloom in the spring.
To replicate its native environment in Mexico, the Tacitus Bellus cannot handle temperatures below 50° degrees Fahrenheit.
The plant enjoys a warmer climate of 70° to 80° degrees Fahrenheit.
How And When To Water And Fertilize The Tacitus Bellus?
Since the Tacitus Bellus plant’s native environment lacks water, it is best to only water your flowering succulent when the soil is dry.
In the winter, you will notice that you will water your Tacitus Bellus less than in the growing season.
You will only have to fertilize your Tacitus Bellus in the summer when it is blooming and growing. It is best to use a weak standard fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks.
After you fertilize it, make sure to water your plant to dilute all the fertilizer.
What Is The Best Soil For The Tacitus Bellus And When Should You Transplant?
The Tacitus Bellus can be planted in ordinary cactus soil with added sand. The sand will allow the soil to drain well, not in standing water.
You will only need to transplant your Tacitus Bellus plant every 3 or 4 years when it becomes root-bound.
Does The Tacitus Bellus Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
The Tacitus Bellus does not require any special needs or grooming.
However, it is best to remove withered flowers and dried-up leaves to encourage new growth.
How To Propagate The Chihuahua Flower?
To propagate your cup chihuahua flower, you should take cuttings from the mother succulent.
You will repot your cuttings in a small pot with sandy cactus soil.
Once you pot your cuttings, it is important to keep them in an environment with half shade and half sunlight and a temperature of 70° degrees Fahrenheit.
Like the mother plant, make sure the soil is quite dry and only water when it has dried out completely.
Then, after some growth, you can transplant them into larger pots with sandy cactus soil.
Make sure to start propagation in early spring to encourage growth.
You can also take the seeds from the flowers and plant the seedlings.
Make sure to plant them in early spring, using cactus soil and sand.
Keep them in a shaded area with a temperature of 70° degrees Fahrenheit.
Chihuahua Flower Pests And Disease Problems
The chihuahua flower is quite a low-maintenance plant but can have some issues with overwatering and too much shade.
At times, the chihuahua flower may face a mealybug infestation. You can spray the plant with insecticide to stop an infestation.
Suggested Graptopetalum Bellum Uses
The Graptopetalum Bellum is mostly planted in gravel gardens and rocky areas.
They are also planted in small containers and can be mixed with other succulents to make a succulent garden.