Baby sun rose

Baby sun rose Care

Aptenia cordifolia

What is the plant

The most sought-after succulent for creating the ground cover for your garden! Low-maintenance and drought-resistant, Baby Sun Rose is an excellent addition.

Baby Sun Rose plant (Aptenia cordifolia) comes from South Africa and the coasts of East Africa. It is also known as a Heartleaf Ice plant and Red Aptenia. Besides, it comes in variegated versions as well.
Aptenia cordifolia grows close to the soil and thus creates a dense green mat of plants with rounded heart-shaped leaves. They spread quite fast by creeping along the soil, and their pink, red, yellow, and purple flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

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Humidity

Dry

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

-1°C - 10°C

Hardiness zone

8b - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Water your plant only when the soil has dried out completely, and remove the water from the pot saucer. If you grow Aptenia cordifolia outdoors, mind the rainfall when watering and feel the soil in order not to overwater the tender plant.
Pruning
If you grow your Red Aptenia outdoors, prune and trim it regularly, so it doesn’t grow in unwanted areas. Additionally, remove any damaged stems with sterilized scissors every spring.
Fertilizer
It will suffice to fertilize a Hertleaf Ice plant twice a year — in early spring and late summer. A controlled-release fertilizer will make the best choice.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Full sun on the south-facing site is best for Aptenia cordifolia, although it can also survive in partial shade. However, the less light it gets, the less often it will bloom.
Soil
A sandy or loamy mix will do best for this succulent. Also, you can go for a regular succulent soil mix.
Propagation
The Heartleaf Ice plant can be propagated from cuttings, seeds, and by division. It is recommended to propagate these succulents in spring or summer.

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Temperature
Ideal temperatures are 70˚F (21˚C) during the day and 40-50˚F (5-10˚C) at night. These plants can survive in slightly hotter or colder climates, but they are not ready for extreme temperatures.
Container
When grown indoors, Red Aptenias thrive in small pots with drainage holes and a pot saucer. If you plant them outdoors, space them apart so they can spread easily.
Fun fact
Since Baby Sun Rose is a succulent, it reacts to water. The leaves will look fleshy if well-watered and flattened if not. More than that, the water cells are situated close to the surface of the plant, so your tiny succulent will delight you with its shiny leaves.