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Mesembryanthemum cordifolium
Place ideally in a sunny location.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. Reduce watering in winter. The plant can take more water than most other succulents.
The plant is said to withstand temperatures down to -12.2 °C. However, it is not hardy.
The plant produces very distinctive and attractive flowers. The flowers, which are up to 1.5 cm across, are striking from a distance thanks to their distinctive pinkish-purple colour.
Mesembryanthemum cordifolium, a charming succulent plant with creeping stems and interesting flowers, goes by several names. It is known as Aptenia cordifolia and Baby sun rose. It is originally from South Africa, where it is found on rock faces and coastal dunes. However, it has become an invasive species and is spreading in the Mediterranean, on islands in Macaronesia and on the coasts of California and Florida. It is valued by the indigenous people of the southern African region for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Aptenia cordifolia impresses with its light green leaves with a reddish tinge, which are fleshy, friendly, ovate and heart-shaped at the base. The surface of the leaves is covered with fine papillae. The creeping stems reach up to 60 cm in length and form dense carpets that become a decoration for pots and rockeries.
From spring to summer, the apetenia is adorned with charming flowers. They grow at the top of the stem or in the leaf axils and reach a diameter of up to 15 mm. The corolla petals are dashing, purple in colour, giving the plant an elegant appearance. After flowering, the fruit capsule can be found.
Due to its vigorous growth, it is advisable to transplant the plant into a larger container to give it plenty of space. This succulent plant can also be grown in a hanging container where its creeping stems stand out nicely. The plant's leaves dry naturally during the winter and grow back in the spring. Aptenia is simply a beautiful and unpretentious plant that is ideal for growing indoors or outdoors. Thanks to its attractive appearance and low care requirements, it will become a great decoration for your home or garden.