About
A succulent, evergreen, low-growing sub-shrub about 45cm tall, with creeping, branching stems bearing oval- to spoon-shaped grey-green leaves with a smooth margin. Small orange flowers are borne in a tight flowerhead, during summer.
About the genus
Kleinia are succulent perennials with prostrate or upright, cylindrical or angular stems bearing fleshy, flat or cylindrical leaves and solitary or clustered, thistle-like flowerheads in summer
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native tosouthern Africa
Care notes
CultivationGrow under glass in a mixture of 2 parts leaf mould to 1 part each of loam and gritty sand in bright filtered light. During the growing season feed 2 or 3 times with a low nitrogen liquid fertilizer and water moderately. Keep dry at other times
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed sown at 19 - 21°C in early spring or by cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free