Conophytum truncatum

RHS Plant Profile

truncate cone plant

Terence Smale

Synonyms

Conophytum subglobosum
Conophytum translucens
Conophytum orientale
Conophytum wagneriorum
Conophytum truncatellum
Conophytum steytlervillense
Conophytum multipunctatum

Cactus Succulent

A fleshy, perennial succulent forming a clump of globose dark blue-green leaf-pairs with darker dots, and creamy-yellow flowers in autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0-0.1 metre
Max Height: Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun

Aspect: North–facing or West–facing or East–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): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Aizoaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Semi evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Conophytum are dwarf succulent perennials forming clumps of "bodies" comprising a pair of very fleshy leaves, united in the lower part, with solitary daisy-like flowers appearing from the central fissure; the leaves usually shrivel after flowering
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S Africa (W Cape)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a mixture of two parts each sharp sand and loam and one part leaf mould, in full light. Provide low humidity. Water sparingly when in growth and keep completely dry at other times. No additional ferrtilizer is needed

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in gentle heat with high humidity reduce the humidity after germination, or propagate by offsets

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free