In the world of botany, that of succulents is particularly interesting. These plants have been able to adapt incredibly well to very harsh conditions, developing the ability to store water. Moreover, they are very striking for their original aspects. Without a doubt, they are the perfect example to demonstrate how nature is able to adapt to what it has. A very remarkable genus which belongs to the succulents is Tylecodon, which we will discuss in this post.
If you are interested in this plant and want to learn more, I recommend that you continue reading. we will explain what it is and what care it requires. In addition, we will talk about the two most popular species belonging to this genus at the ornamental level. I hope this information is useful for you!
what is it Tylecodon?
When we talk about Tylecodonwe refer to a genus of succulents belonging to the family Crassulaceae. These, in general, are mainly herbaceous plants, although some may be subshrubs and a few even aquatic or arboreal. They are able to store water in their leaves, the main characteristic of succulents. This is because their habitat is usually hot and dry areas, where water is very scarce. There are a total of 60 different species of TylecodonHere are some examples:
- Tylecodon buchholzianus
- Tylecodon cacaloids
- Tylecodon hirtifolius
- Tylecodon paniculatus
- Tylecodon pygmaeus
- Tylecodon reticulatus
- Tylecodon scandens
- Tylecodon sulphureus
- Tylecodon wallichii
care
In general, these succulents are slow growing and require direct sunlight. As we have already mentioned before, the natural habitat of plants belonging to this genus is generally dry and warm, so it is not surprising that they need warm temperatures to survive. Yet they are able to withstand cold down to zero degrees Celsius, as long as it’s only for a fairly short period of time. Regarding irrigation, it is important to keep in mind that these are vegetables that grow in winter. Therefore, in summer you need to keep the plant relatively dry (remember that they store water in the leaves).
In short, these are the basic care required by plants of the genus Tylecodon:
- Light: direct and bright
- Temperature: Warm up and avoid prolonged exposure to low temperatures.
- Irrigation: Moderate in winter, very little in summer.
The most popular species
As already mentioned above, there are about 60 species belonging to this genus. A few of which are very popular for decorating homes, having great ornamental value. We will then comment two of the most popular species.
Tylecodon buchholzianus
Perhaps the most famous species is Tylecodon buchholzianus. It is native to Namibia and South Africa, specifically Namaqualand. It’s a shrubby succulent up to thirty centimeters high. Its growth is slow and takes place during the winter. In summer, it usually goes dormant.
The stem of this plant can reach a diameter of thirty centimeters. Many twigs and stems of grayish tones grow from it. The leaves of this species usually appear in spring and are cylindrical in shape, reaching a length of up to ten centimeters. As for the flowers, they are usually pale pink. Generally, the flowering period of Tylecodon buchholzianus it begins at the end of winter and lasts until the end of spring.
This vegetable can be grown both indoors and outdoors. Regarding the Basic care needed by this species are:
- Substrate: It should be sandy and have good drainage.
- Light: Like all plants of this genus, it needs direct, bright sunlight.
- Temperature: Preferably warm, but can tolerate cold and frost if the soil is dry at those times.
- Irrigation: It is important not to drown plants, especially succulents. They don’t need a lot of water. Irrigation will mainly depend on the climate and the condition of the plant.
- Fertilizer: Just add a little succulent plant food a few times during the growth period. In general, this type of fertilizer tends to be low in nitrogen, which is very good for the Tylecodon buchholzianus.
It should be noted that it may require pruning if we want it to maintain a specific appearance. We must not forget that it is a bushy plant that has a relatively chaotic growth, so controlling its shape is not too much.
Tylecodon paniculatus
Another very popular species for decorating houses is Tylecodon paniculatus. This is native to South Africa and has leaves that expire in summer. When they are born, they do so in the form of a spiral. When growing this species, the most common problem people usually have is irrigation control. It should be noted that you do not need a lot of water and your needs will depend on various factors. special attention should be paid to climatic conditions and the state of the plant. Let’s see some tips for watering this vegetable properly:
- Climate: When succulents go dormant, it is best to reduce watering. This usually happens when it’s too hot or when it’s cold. During these periods, watering a little every week or every two weeks is sufficient.
- Calendar: In general, the timing of irrigation does not matter. However, in the summer it is better to perform this task in the afternoon.
- Plant status: When you need water, the signs are pretty obvious. Generally, the leaves tend to curl or change color.
- Floor: As with all plants, the soil is a good indicator of the need for watering. Just touch the ground to know if it is wet or not. If it starts to crack, that’s a sign that it’s extremely dry. In case we have the plant in a pot, its weight is also an effective way to know if it needs water or not. The drier the soil, the less it will weigh.
What do you think of these plants? As you can see, they are very striking and easy to maintain.