10 Best Rare Succulents Nowadays, many gardeners like to grow rare succulents along with their plant collections. These plants have peculi...
10 Best Rare Succulents
Nowadays, many gardeners like to grow rare succulents along with their plant collections. These plants have peculiar colors and different anatomical adaptations. They also provide unique looks to your gardens.
However, it is difficult to find them in commercial plant markets. Sometimes, they produce fewer seeds or have rooting issues. Propagating and caring for them can be an unusually difficult task. Hence, maintaining rare succulents in gardens can be challenging.
1. Tephracactus Articulatus (Paper Spine Cactus)
The stems of Tephracactus Articulatus have flat, long pseudo-spine-like segments. These segments stack up against each other. They may also fall apart easily as they have lesser bonding arrangements. The fallen segments regrow as individual plants again.
Growing about 12 inches tall, these rare succulents are disinclined towards blooming. However, the sprouted blooms are white in color. These plants cannot thrive in heavy frosts. During winters just bring them indoors and grow them in a sunny spot or under grow lights.
These plants prefer to grow under full sunlight and cacti soils with good drainage. Water them less frequently and make sure the soil is completely dry before watering. These plants may die in soggy soils.
2. Pachyphytum Compactum (Little Jewel)
The short stems and tightly branched leaves of Pachyphytum compactum form a beautiful rosette at the top. These plants tend to spread as they grow.
The fleshy leaves, with many colors, appear showy in a jewel pattern. This is the source of their nickname, “little jewel”. The species of these plants are indigenous to the rocky slopes of Hidalgo, Mexico
Typically, the leaves appear in bluish-green color. They also have a powdered natural wax coating (farina). When stressed by cold or hot climates, the foliage sometimes turns violet.
These plants cannot survive hard frosts. They may even die at temperatures lower than - 6°C. To avoid these problems, just bring them inside your homes during the cold winter months.
They thrive well in succulent soils that have good drainage. Do not overwater them as they can die in soggy soils.
3. Haworthia Truncata v. Maughanii
Haworthia Truncata v. Maughanii is native to South Africa. These plants tend to retreat underground to protect themselves from high heat and foraging animals.
The thick leaves are blue-green in color. They have epidermal windows at the top for fenestration. Most common pests and diseases do not bother Haworthia Truncata v. Maughanii plants frequently.
These drought-tolerant plants prefer more sunlight than other succulents. They also have strong rooting systems and need less water.
These slow growers develop new offsets in clumps around their bases. Simply leave them to form new clumps or remove and transplant them in other locations.
During summer peaks, these plants tend to go dormant by gradually decreasing their activities. Therefore, do not overwater or fertilize them. Unlike other succulents, these plants tend to grow in winter. Hence water them a bit more in winters.
4. Ariocarpus Trigonus (Living Rock)
Ariocarpus Trigonus is a low-lying rare succulent. Growing slightly above the ground, these plants reach 10 inches in height and spread wide about 12 inches. These plants have stern globose stems and beautiful whitish-yellow flowers with reddish or purplish midribs.
Ariocarpus Trigonus plants should be grown in cacti soils. Otherwise, they may suffer from lesser aeration and inadequate drainage. They should also be grown in full sun. However, if the climate becomes very hot, provide them with shades.
These plants thrive well in low humidity and room temperatures. Hence, watering them often is not required. During cool dormant months, it is recommended to avoid the watering process completely.
5. Adromischus Maculatus (Calico Hearts)
With different color combinations and unusual shapes, Adromischus Maculatus can beautify any type of garden. These low-growing succulents are perennial plants. They grow about 6 inches tall and 1.4 inches wide.
Typically, the grey-green leaves turn scarlet with purple spots under stress. The yellow-green tubular flowers sprout in winters. These plants do well in conventional cacti soils that have good drainage.
During the cold months, if the temperature drops under 20° F, bring these plants indoors. They cannot tolerate heavy frosts. Also, completely stop watering during winters.
6.Othonna Capensis (Ruby Necklace)
Othonna Capensisis is native to South Africa. These plants require deep watering occasionally for growing healthy. However, make sure the soil becomes dry completely in between the watering schedule. Avoid watering them during the winters when they go dormant.
Make sure to use appropriately sized containers so that they can grow freely. They also require full sunlight. However, they can tolerate partial shades also.
These herbs grow quicker and spread immensely. They grow vertically for about 5 cm. After that, they begin to trail towards the ground. The beans are usually in green color. It can sometimes be in red or purple color also.
The stems usually have purple to red colors. Small, daisy-like flowers, are in yellow color. They bloom all around the year. These plants can grow well in most of the soils that have good drainage. These plants also do not demand much. Hence, you can maintain them easily.
You can beautify your desert gardens, greenhouse, and indoor spaces with these rare succulents. They will never fail to impress with their unique, stylish looks.
7. Astrophytum Asterias (Sand Dollar Cactus)
Astrophytum Asterias from cactaceae family is one of the rare succulents available in commercial markets. The other names for these plants include Sea Urchin Cactus, Sand Dollar Cactus, and Star Peyote. These plants are native to the hot plains of Mexico.
These slow growers measure 4 – 5 cm in height and spread about 15 cm. they also have small white spots on their green skins. About 8 slits divide them into 8 sections externally.
The flowering season for these plants is from spring to early fall. The flowers are yellow in color and sprout at the top. Mostly, these plants are grown in small pots due to their compact size.
These plants do well under full sun and also in partial shades. Use cacti soils with good drainage to propagate Astrophytum Asterias plants. Water moderately when the soil becomes completely dry. These plants are sensitive to water and may die in soggy soils.
8.Conophytum Subglobosum
Conophytum Subglobosum is a perennial, stemless succulent that forms clumps at the base. These rare succulents grow slowly. A couple of succulent leaves fuse together and form succulent mounds. These mounds also have pea-shaped heads and various colors including grey-green, red and purple.
The small flowers have nocturnal characteristics, faint scents, and spidery petals. These flowers also appear in various colors including white, cream, and yellow.
Typically, these plants have a very rudimentary filamentous root system. The flowering season for these plants is usually during fall.
Conophytum Subglobosum plants prefer to grow under full light. They can also thrive in partial shades. These easy-to-grow plants have minimal watering requirements.
9. Echeveria x Imbricata (Blue Rose Echeveria)
Blue Rose Echeveria (Echeveria x imbricata) is considered to be one of the oldest echeveria hybrids. It is a hybrid cross variety of Echeveria metallica and Echeveria glauca species.
This slow-growing vigorous succulent reaches about 4 – 8 inches in height and 4 -6 inches in wide. The bluish-green leaves form tight rosettes at the top. Sometimes, they also have purple tips.
Clusters of small, yellow, bell-shaped flowers appear in spring or early summer. They do not have fragrances. These hardy, slow growers are easy to care for. They grow well in succulents that have good drainage. They also need a minimum of 4 -6 hours of sunlight, if grown indoors.
During the initial stages of growth, these plants require more water. However, as they grow, their water requirement lessens gradually. Make sure the soil is dry before watering.
10. Albuca Spiralis (Frizzle Sizzle)
In the gardening world, Albuca spiralis (Frizzle Sizzle) is among the unusual, rare succulents. The short stems emerge out of underground blubs. The leaves grow upon the stems and have spiral tips.
The blooming season of these plants is usually spring. Yellow flowers sprout on spikes with a pleasant, sweet fragrance.
Albuca spiralis (Frizzle Sizzle) requires plenty of sunlight to thrive healthier. Grow them in well-draining cacti soils for best results. Always check the soil for dryness before watering. If the soil is dry completely, start watering. Otherwise, avoid watering.
These plants are not often infected by common diseases or pests. However, the complex requirements may be challenging for a new gardener.
