Split Rock plant

Split Rock plant Care

Pleiospilos nelii

What is the plant

If you are a fan of unique and extraordinary plants, Pleiospilos nelii is an excellent choice. This eccentric greenie is low-maintenance and sturdy.

Split Rock plant grows in the driest areas of South Africa. It has a unique appearance that resembles rocks split in the center. This succulent grows to only a few inches tall, has two or four leaves, and is stemless. You can also identify this plant by its beautiful yellow, pink or white flowers.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

10°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

9b - 11b

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Pleiospilos nelii is a succulent by qualification, but it needs even less water. Usually, this greenie needs a sip only during the growing season, that is, in spring and autumn. The plant does not tolerate overly moist soil and stagnant liquid at all.
Pruning
Pleiospilos nelii are tiny, stemless plants, so no pruning is required.
Fertilizer
This sturdy succulent does not need any fertilizer to thrive.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
In nature, Pleiospilos nelii grows in places with full access to bright, direct sunlight. Therefore, the ideal location is a southern windowsill. Otherwise, you may need additional lamps.
Soil
Pleiospilos nelii needs well-drained soil with a minimum amount of organic matter. You can prepare a mixture with ¼ part cactus soil, gravel, or pumice.
Propagation
Propagating these succulents is not easy because they do not have stems. These greenies also give offsets very rarely. Therefore, you can grow Split Rock plants from seed by purchasing them in the store or by collecting them yourself from the seed pods on your existing plants. The best time for sowing is summer.

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Temperature
You should keep the Split Rock warm. The plant also tolerates any heat well, but the minimum temperature at which the plant can grow is 30°F (-1.1°C).
Container
These plants do not have a branched root system, so they do not need wide pots. However, the container must be deep because this greenie's roots grow rather long! Don't forget to also check for drainage holes.
Fun fact
The Split Rock plant is an example of mimicry in nature, as the plant copies the appearance of the rocks around it, creating camouflage to blend in.