Care of the succulent plant Pleiospilos nelii or Split Rock Plant |
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The genus Pleiospilos, family Aizoaceae, comprises 30 species of succulent plants native to southern Africa. Some species are: Pleiospilos nelii, Pleiospilos rouxii, Pleiospilos compactus, Pleiospilos bolusii, Pleiospilos nobilis. Common names: Stone Plant, Liver Plant, Split Rock Plant, Splitrock plant. Scientific synonyms: Pleiospilos tricolor , Pleiospilos pedunculatus. This species is native to South Africa. They are small and curious succulent plants formed by 1 or 2 pairs of very fleshy hemispherical leaves separated by a cleft; They are grayish green with dark spots. They produce yellow, orange or pink flowers that appear solitary in the cleft of the leaves and open after noon. They can bloom from mid-summer to late fall. Due to their small size (3 cm/1.18" high) they are used in pots and planters combined with other succulents, either indoors, greenhouses or on balconies and terraces. Pleiospilos nelii can grow in full sun exposure but prefers light shade. The temperature should not be less than 5 ºC (41 ºF). The soil must be very well drained and not contain much organic matter; use a mixture of 25% leaf mulch, 25% garden soil, and 50% siliceous sand. They are very resistant to drought plants; water moderately all year round waiting for the substrate to dry out and do not water in winter. They do not need fertilizers or pruning. They are resistant to pests but sensitive to excess irrigation. They are propagated from seeds sown in spring; the seeds can be kept for more than 5 years and retain their germination power. |
Images of the succulent plant Pleiospilos nelii or Split Rock Plant |
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