A look at the Aizoaceae plants
This article provides a detailed explanation of the Aizoaceae plants and a review of three novel Aizoaceae succulents in the field of green ornamental plants, which is sure to be helpful to you. Let's explore together!
Among Aizoaceae succulents, the most well-known are the White凤凰菊, the Blue Fish Lotus, and the Deer Antler Cactus, which are characterized by their distinct angular shapes and modern artistic vibe. They have robust habits, are easy to care for and propagate, and are down-to-earth flowers suitable for decorating balconies, window sills, etc., and are ideal for novice plant enthusiasts.
White凤凰菊 (Lampranthus deltoides)
Also known as Guanglin菊 or Jilu鹿角. It is a succulent plant in the Aizoaceae family, belonging to the Delosperma genus. Native to South Africa and the United States, the mature plant has a sub-shrubby appearance, with old stems and branches that are either erect or creeping, colored brownish-red, and young branches tinged with light red or yellow-green. The succulent leaves are triangular in shape, gray-green, with fine sawtooth edges at the nodes. The flowers are light pink or light purple.
White凤凰菊
Blue Fish Lotus (Echinus maximiliani)
Also called "Bi Yu莲," it is a succulent plant in the Aizoaceae family, belonging to the Acanthosicyos genus. The plant grows creeping or hanging, with young stems that are purplish-red. The succulent leaves are opposite and thick, green, slightly powdery, with translucent lines on the edges and backs of the leaves, and the leaf tips and edges turn purplish-red in sufficient sunlight. The small flowers are purplish-red to pink, blooming from late winter to early spring.
Bi Yu莲
Deer Antler Cactus (Astridia velutina)
Also known as Xunbo菊. It is a succulent shrub in the Aizoaceae family, belonging to the Antodium genus. The plant has grayish-brown old branches. The leaves are succulent, opposite, crescent-shaped, triangular, and粉 green. The flowers are terminal, with short peduncles, white or pink, and bloom in winter or early spring. The variegated variety 'Deer Antler Cactus Variegata' has yellow streaks on the leaves, and sometimes the entire leaf is yellow. Personally, I think the Deer Antler Cactus is the most beautiful among the three.
A look at the Aizoaceae plants
Deer Antler Cactus
In terms of care, the habits of White凤凰菊, Blue Fish Lotus, and Deer Antler Cactus are basically the same. They prefer a warm, dry environment with plenty of sunlight, are slightly shade-tolerant, drought-resistant, and dislike waterlogging. They are not cold-tolerant nor heat-tolerant and grow best in loose, fertile soil with good drainage and breathability.
Deer Antler Cactus at a plant enthusiast's home
Spring and autumn are their main growing seasons. They should be placed in a sunny location for care. Insufficient light can cause the plants to stretch, become loose, have difficulty flowering, or even not flower at all. Watering should follow the "dry-wet" principle, avoiding waterlogging in the pot, and not letting it get too dry for long periods, as this is not conducive to plant growth; fertilize every 15-20 days with a light application. In the hot summer, the plants are in a semi-dormant or dormant state, with slow or stagnant growth, and should be kept in a ventilated and cool place, avoiding stuffy environments, and watering should be strictly controlled. Normal care can be resumed when the weather cools in autumn. In winter, sufficient sunlight is required. Although the plants can tolerate temperatures as low as 0°C with controlled watering, it is best to maintain a temperature of 10-20°C to promote flowering and normal plant growth. After three years of cultivation, the plants gradually age, the plant shape becomes disorderly, and the lower leaves fall off. New plants can be propagated for renewal.
The above-sharing about Aizoaceae plants and a review of three novel Aizoaceae succulents are provided for everyone's learning and understanding!