SucculentShop.co.za Page: 2 ALOE VERA - ALOE BARBADENSIS PLANTS Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. An evergreen perennial, it originates from the Arabian Peninsula but grows wild in tropical climates around the world and is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses. The species is also used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant. It is found in many consumer products including beverages, skin lotion, cosmetics, or ointments for minor burns and sunburns. Aloe Vera Plant is best known to remove toxins from the air like aldehydes and benzene. Unlike most plants, it releases the oxygen at night as well and well suited for bedrooms and indoor environment. Read More SucculentShop.co.za Page: 3 BULBINE YELLOW - BALSEMKOPIVA - BULBINE FRUTESCENS Small plant 10 - 20 cm high SucculentShop.co.za Page: 4 SucculentShop.co.za Page: 5 SucculentShop.co.za Page: 6 Read More CENTURY PLANT - AGAVE AMERICANA Diameter 15 – 25 cm SucculentShop.co.za Page: 7 Agave Americana, sentry plant, century plant or American aloe, is a species of flowering plant native to Mexico, and the United States in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. It typically lives only 10 to 30 years. It has a spread around 6–10 ft (1.8–3.0 m) with gray-green leaves of 3–5 ft (0.9–1.5 m) long, each with a prickly margin and a heavy spike at the tip that can pierce deeply. Near the end of its life, the plant sends up a tall, branched stalk, laden with yellow blossoms that may reach a total height up to 25–30 ft (8–9 m) tall. Agave Americana is cultivated as an ornamental plant for the large dramatic form of mature plants—for modernist, drought tolerant, and desert-style cactus gardens—among many planted settings. It is often used in hot climates and where drought conditions occur. Agave Americana is beautiful focus plants for any succulent garden. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/ SucculentShop.co.za Page: 8 Medicinal Benefits Read More COBWEB HOUSELEEK - SEMPERVIVUM ARACHNOIDEUM small plant ± 4cm diameter Sempervivum arachnoideum, the cobweb house-leek, is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae, native to the Alps, Apennines and Carpathians. Growing to 8 cm (3 in) tall by 30 cm (12 in) wide, it is a rosette-forming succulent perennial, valued in cultivation for its ability to colonise hot, dry areas via offsets. The specific epithet arachnoideum refers to its furry central rosettes (long ciliate leaf margins), resembling spider webs. It flowers in July, with pink flowers that are raised on stems and are hermaphroditic (having both male and female organs). Source: Wikipedia.org Medicinal benefits of Sempervivum arachnoideum (Cobweb Houseleek): The leaves of Cobweb Houseleek are emollient, hemostatic, ophthalmic and sedative. The crushing plant, or its juice, is applied externally to boils, wounds, etc. and is also used to stop nose bleeds. The slightly warmed juice has been used to relieve ear inflammations and toothaches can be relieved by chewing on the leaves. When macerated and infused in vinegar, the plant can be used to get rid of warts and corns. The leaves are harvested in the summer and are best used when fresh since they are difficult to dry properly. The leaf pulp is used to make a cooling face mask for reddened or sunburnt skin. SucculentShop.co.za Page: 9 How to grow and maintain Sempervivum arachnoideum (Cobweb Houseleek): Light: It thrives best in full sun to light shade. In indoor an east or west-facing window where they receive four to six hours of sunlight is ideal. Soil: It needs excellent drainage. Poor, sandy soil would be just fine. You could work some peat into heavier soil, to lighten them and improve drainage. Water: Water regularly during the summer and spring. keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. You can allow the topsoil to become slightly dry between each watering. Reduce water in the winter. Temperature: It prefers an average summer temperature 65 degrees Fahrenheit – 70 degrees Fahrenheit / 18 degrees Celsius – 21 degrees Celsius. In winter, some varieties can withstand temperatures down to freezing. Fertilizer: Fertilize with a controlled-release fertilizer at the beginning of the season or weekly with a weak liquid solution. Use a balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer at 1/4 strength on mature plants, and a fertilizer with less nitrogen on young plants. Repotting: Re-pot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To re-pot, a succulent, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you re-pot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot. Pests and Diseases: It has no serious pest or disease problems. Cobweb Houseleek can get vine weevil and may be subject to rust. Propagation: It can be easily propagated by seed sown in spring or root offsets in spring. Sempervivum earned their famous name “Hen and Chicks” from their growth habit. The mother plant, or hen, sends off numerous offsets, which will cluster around her base like chicks. These offsets can be easily re-potted, or the plants can be left to form a clumping mat. Source: https://plantingman.com SucculentShop.co.za Page: 10 Read More COMMON HOUSELEEK - SEMPERVIVUM TECTORUM - HENS AND CHICKS SucculentShop.co.za Page: 11 The common houseleek is a species of flowering plant in the family Crassulaceae, native to the mountains of southern Europe, cultivated in the whole of Europe for its appearance and a Roman tradition claiming that it protects buildings against lightning strikes. Growing to 15 cm (6 in) tall by 50 cm (20 in) broad, it is a rosette-forming succulent evergreen perennial, spreading by offsets. It has grey-green, tufted, sessile leaves, 4–10 cm (2–4 in) in diameter, which are often suffused with rose-red. In summer it bears clusters of reddish-purple flowers, in multiples of 8-16, on hairy erect flat-topped stems. SucculentShop.co.za Page: 12 The plant has been traditionally thought to protect against thunderstorms, and grown on house roofs for that reason, which is why it is called House Leek. It has been believed to protect more generally against decay and against witchcraft. The juice has been used in herbal medicine as an astringent and treatment for skin and eye diseases, including by Galen and Dioscorides, to ease inflammation and, mixed with honey, to treat thrush; however, large doses have an emetic effect. Romans grew the plant in containers in front of windows and associated it with love medicine. Source: Wikipedia.org SucculentShop.co.za Page: 13 Read More SucculentShop.co.za Page: 14 PIG’S EAR - COTYLEDON ORBICULATA - GREEN Great focus plant for miniature or rock gardens. Works well as a succulent Bonsai. Cotyledon orbiculata, commonly known as pig's ear or round-leafed navel-wort, is a South African succulent plant belonging to the genus Cotyledon. Pig's ears are evergreen succulent perennials or shrubs growing to 100 cm tall, with simple, opposite, grey- green, oval leaves coated with a white wax and nodding, bell-shaped red, orange or yellow flowers borne in compact panicles borne on stems up to 70cm long, in late summer and autumn. Cotyledon orbiculata is an extremely variable species that grows to approximately 1.3 m (4.3 ft) in height. It has gray-green leaves that can be up to 13 by 7 cm (5.1 by 2.8 in) with a white powdery substance on them that helps reflect sunlight and conserve water. The shape of the leaves was thought to have a resemblance to a pig's ear, thus the common name. SucculentShop.co.za Page: 15 Source Wikipedia.org This succulent with its variable forms is one of the most rewarding plants for gardens around the country, even those in colder regions; It propagates easily from cuttings and is wonderful for filling gaps, especially in dry and difficult parts of the garden where water is scarce; Flowering times vary. Most flower in winter but in winter rainfall areas such as the Western Cape, the plant often flowers in mid-summer. The plant is a winner in every garden setting with its textured leaves, pretty flowers ranging from a light salmon through to a deep orange-red, and its stature among other plants. The plant enjoys sunny conditions with well-draining soil and is ideal for container gardens. Frost and cold weather can damage the plants. Locusts and grasshoppers enjoy feeding on the leaves. SucculentShop.co.za Page: 16 Source: thegardener.co.za Read More SucculentShop.co.za Page: 17 PIG’S EAR - COTYLEDON ORBICULATA - SILVER Great focus plant for miniature or rock gardens. Works well as a succulent Bonsai. Cotyledon orbiculata, commonly known as pig's ear or round-leafed navel-wort, is a South African succulent plant belonging to the genus Cotyledon. Pig's ears are evergreen succulent perennials or shrubs growing to 100 cm tall, with simple, opposite, grey- green, oval leaves coated with a white wax and nodding, bell-shaped red, orange or yellow flowers borne in compact panicles borne on stems up to 70cm long, in late summer and autumn. Cotyledon orbiculata is an extremely variable species that grows to approximately 1.3 m (4.3 ft) in height.