Our December box featuring Sempervivum Red Lion, Echeveria Blue Rose, Echeveria Cris, Adromischus Filicaulis ssp. Marlothii, and Tillandsia Caput Medusae.
1. Sempervivum Red Lion
Sempervivum Red Lion is also called "Hen and Chicks Red Lion" Succulent. The rosettes are vibrant rich red with green tips and sometimes have yellow variegated color as well.
Sempervivum Red Lion is a perennial easy-to-grow succulent that is perfect in containers. It can live in very cold area therefore it is also a great plant for outdoor gardens.
Gritty soil, Sandy.
Full Sun or Partial shade.
Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch, then let drain completely. Reduce watering to a minimum during winter.
Feed with a controlled-release fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.
Sempervivum Red Lion can easily be propagated by separating and replanting offsets in planting medium.
2. Echeveria Blue Rose
Echeveria imbricata 'Blue Rose' is an evergreen succulent native to Mexico and has one of the most perfect rosettes with fleshy saucer shaped leaves.
If grown under ideal condition, the tight rosettes can become as large as a dinner plate (4-6 in. wide), and can produce multiple offsets that hug the mother rosette at the base. Besides its attractive appearance, Echeveria imbricata 'Blue Rose' is also very popular thanks to its hardiness. It can tolerate temperature as low as 25 F (-3 C).
They have red or pink branch flowers in spring or summer.
Full sun. Perfect for a sunny window.
Only needs occasional water.
A well-drained succulent mix, with an ideal pH around 6.0.
Feed with a controlled-release fertilizer at the beginning of the season.
Generally non-toxic to humans and animals
3. Echeveria Cris
Echeveria Cris is a beautiful hybrid succulent that looks just like a green rose. This beauty forms perfect, symmetrical rosettes, with its chubby leaves resembling the petals of a rose. Long-lasting and low-maintenance, Echeveria Cris is a perfect choice for plant arrangements, succulent table centerpieces, and stylish flower bouquets.
The densely packed leaves are typically plump and fleshy, with a beautiful powdery green-blue color and pinkish tips that brighten up under direct sunlight.
This Echeveria succulent is a small and slow-growing plant. It can reach around 3-4 inches in both height and width. Its compact nature makes it an ideal choice for tabletop displays and small spaces.
Echeveria 'Cris' can be used as ground cover in suitable growing conditions. It typically forms compact rosettes and offsets, creating a dense mat of succulents. Echeveria 'Cris' is generally not frost-tolerant and is best suited for outdoor growing in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. If you're in a colder climate, it's advisable to grow Echeveria 'Cris' in containers that can be moved indoors during colder months to protect it from frost.
Echeveria Cris needs lots of bright, indirect sunlight. It can tolerate some direct sunlight, especially in the morning or late afternoon, but protect it from intense midday sun to prevent sunburn.
Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Water sparingly and avoid overwatering, as succulents are susceptible to root rot. Adjust the frequency based on the season; water more during the growing season (spring and summer) and less during the dormant period (fall and winter).
Use well-draining succulent or cactus soil to prevent waterlogging. Fertilize sparingly, applying a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half-strength during the growing season. Avoid fertilizing during the dormant period.
Echeveria Cris prefers temperatures between 65-75°F during the day. It can tolerate cooler temperatures but protect it from frost, as it is not frost-tolerant. These succulents are adapted to lower humidity levels but can still thrive in average indoor humidity (below 50%).
Echeveria Cris is pet-friendly and generally considered non-toxic to humans and animals However, it's always advisable to keep succulents out of reach of pets and small children to avoid allergic reactions.
4. Adromischus Filicaulis ssp. Marlothii
Adromischus Filicaulis ssp. Marlothii is a flowering plant species of the Crassulaceae family. This succulent has bulbous leaves. The thick leaves are either round or teardrop-shaped. It has a green base tone and can create dark red spots when exposed to sunlight. It grows in a creeping, trailing manner. Aerial roots grow along the stems and will root down if they come into contact with soil
Adromischus Filicaulis ssp. Marlothii is a slow-growing succulent species and can reach approximately 8” tall.
The Adromischus Filicaulis ssp. Marlothii thrives well under full sun, and bright indoor light. However, avoid direct sunlight to prevent evaporation.
This succulent is drought-tolerant. Water it moderately and only when the soil is completely dry.
Well-drained, Porous soil.
This plant thrives in temperatures of 50°F-70°F. It is vital to ensure the room temperature does not fall below 50°F.
This plant should be fertilized once during the growing season (spring/summer) with diluted houseplant fertilizer.
5. Tillandsia Caput Medusae
Tillandsia Caput Medusae, also known as Medusa's head plant, is an air plant that grows sturdy but soft snake-like leaves that resemsble the hair of Medusa. And when it blooms, the plant develops gorgeous blush, mauve and peach shades. Caput Medusae absorbs the majority of nutrients and water from the air though the scales (trichomes) on its leaves.
Tillandsia caput-medusae only uses its roots to cling to high trees or rocks. Since the exotic bromeliad does not require a substrate, there are many creative ways to cultivate it in living spaces. Thus, the head of Medusa with the bizarre snake-leaves perfectly puts itself in the limelight on branches, stones or cacti.
Bright filtered light.
No soil is needed. Sand, sea glass, rocks, pebbles & bark chip can be used instead of soil.
Frequent misting several times a week is necessary. Give it a little shake off afterwards to make sure water doesn't collect in the bottom leaves to prevent rot. Caput Medusae's leaves will begin to curl tightly when it is underwatered.
