About

A tender, evergreen perennial with rounded, fleshy leaves overlapping to produce a flat rosette up to 15cm across. Purple, white-throated, bell-shaped flowers are produced in small clusters on upright stems in summer. Some forms have smooth, shiny foliage, others have deep veins and appear quilted.

About the genus

Petrocosmea are evergreen perennials producing low rosettes of fleshy, often felted, lance-shaped or rounded leaves. Five-lobed, tubular to bell-shaped flowers are produced in small clusters in spring

Growing conditions

SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2

Plant details

Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants
Native toSE Yunnan

Care notes

CultivationGrow in a shallow pot of very well-drained compost in a cool greenhouse or alpine house, in semi-shade, with a humid atmosphere
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed or by leaf cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free