It wouldn’t surprise you if you found a stapelia growing on a window sill on Mars. Even in its native Africa, this strange plant has an out-of-this-world look. Botanically, it is described as a succulent with four-angled, leafless sterns. It grows quite close to the ground, never reaching more than a foot in height. All … Read more
None of the many vines and materials I have used to hang baskets in the window have given me more pleasure than Ceropegia woodi. Also called rosary vine, because it forms little bead-like bulbs along the vines that may be used for propagation, the vines are long, thread-like, slender, and have small, leathery, mottled, heart-shaped … Read more
What is Gasteria? We’re glad you asked. Gasteria is a genus of succulent plants native to South Africa. The name comes from the Greek word for stomach, gaster, referring to the shape of the flower. There are about 60 species in the genus. Gasterias are low-growing, perennial plants with thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are … Read more
Faucaria tigrina, also known as the tiger’s jaws or the tiger tooth aloe, is a plant from the Aizoaceae family and is native to South Africa. This plant is a succulent, which means it stores water in its leaves. Native to South Africa, Faucaria Tigrina is a member of the Aizoaceae family. It is closely … Read more
Sedum rubrotinctum, commonly known as jellybean plant or pork and beans, is a succulent plant native to Mexico. It is characterized by its thick, fleshy leaves that are green in color with red tips. Also known as the “jelly bean plant,” this succulent has plump, colorful leaves that resemble jelly beans. Jellybean plants are relatively … Read more
Aporocactus flagelliformis, commonly known as rat’s tail cactus, is a cactus native to Mexico and Central America. This cactus is native to Mexico and Central America and does best in bright, indirect light. If you are interested in growing Aporocactus flagelliformis, purchasing a young plant from a nursery or online retailer is best. Some of … Read more
The Ceropegia woodii is a trailing succulent native to Zimbabwe, Swaziland, and other parts of South Africa. It was named after the man who discovered it, John Medley Wood. He was a collector of native African plants and curator of the Durban Botanic Gardens. The plant has vines with beautiful heart-shaped green and white leaves … Read more
Kalanchoe tomentosa may have a unique name, but you’ve likely seen it in all of your local garden stores. It’s more commonly known as a Chocolate Soldier plant because its green leaves (like a soldier) have a dark red or brown rim (like chocolate). The Chocolate Soldier plant is originally from Madagascar, which explains why … Read more
Lithops is a genus of succulent plants that are part of the Aizoaceae family. Lithops are native to South Africa. The words “lithos” and “ops” mean stone faces in Greek, deriving from their pebble-like appearance. Lithops are also known as: Pebble plants Living stones To survive, the plant avoids being eaten by looking like a … Read more
Pachypodium lamerei, or the Madagascar palm, is a flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. It is native to Madagascar and is found in the southwestern and southern parts of the island. The Madagascar cactus palm is a fast-growing succulent plant that can reach up to 3’ feet in height in just a few years. The … Read more