How to Grow Great Anacampseros

Many plants in the succulent group are grown in containers. This is especially true when they are small in stature. This is the case, also, with anacampseros. And, here are some tips to help you grow lovely specimens of this plant in your personal collection.

Anacampseros is pronounced an-nah-CAMP-sair-ose. These plants are in the family Portulacaceae. And, they are natives of South Africa.

Anacampseros are small plants. They usually do not grow as big as 6 inches. The form rosettes of leaves. These leaves are lance-shaped or almost round. Most of the varieties have dark green leaves, however, there are also other colors. The specimens of anacampseros that are easiest to grow are the ones that have hairy stems. The most difficult are the ones that have scales on their leaves that look similar to bird droppings.

The flowers of the anacampseros plants are pink to light purple. They are flat and shaped like a wheel. They will develop at different times throughout the year. But, they are most prolific during the summer months. They have a bit of an interesting quirk, also. They will open in the middle of the afternoon. And, then, during the early evening, they will close again.

Propagation of this plant can be accomplished by planting seeds or using cuttings. The hairy-stemmed specimens of anacampseros are the easiest to propagate and grow, as well. They should be kept in an area that is lightly shaded, but still has bright sunlight. They will not go completely dormant during the winter months. However, they will grow slower and need less water. The species that have leaves covered with papery scales are difficult to grow and are not recommended to beginners. When growing anacampseros, use soil that is rich in nutrients. And let the soil become almost dry between waterings.

The recommended species of anacampseros are A. lanceolata and A. rufescens. A. lanceolata has reddish flowers and very long hairs on both the stems and leaves. A rufescens has reddis-purple rosettes. The flowers of the species are pink.

Whether you are a beginning gardener or an accomplished grower, you will enjoy adding a member of the group of succulents called anacampseros to your collection. There are varieties available for gardeners of all skill levels. Hopefully, these tips will help you grow a beautiful specimen of anacampseros in your home container garden.

SOURCE

Editors of Ortho Books. "The World of Cactus & Succulents and other water-thrifty plants." 1977. Ortho Books. San Francisco, CA, USA.