Huernia pillansii

RHS Plant Profile

cocklebur

Cactus Succulent

Clump-forming succulent to 4cm tall, with almost spherical, then finger-like, grey-green stems with dense, bristly tubercles (projections) in spiralling rows and bearing fleshy, densely red-warty and red-spotted cream to pink flowers 4cm across, pale yellow inside with crimson spots, from the base of new growth from summer to early autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Apocynaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Huernia are a genus of perennial stem succulents native to Southern Africa and Arabia with green, thick and fleshy, often spiny stems and bell or funnel-shaped red, yellow or brown flowers
Name Status: Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in standard cactus compost with added leaf mould, in bright filtered or indirect light with low humidity. In growth, water moderately and apply half-strength, low-nitrogen liquid fertiliser monthly. Keep almost dry in winter

Propagation

Propagate by seed at 19-24°C in spring or propagate by rooting cuttings of stem sections in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to rots from overwatering