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- Cheiridopsis purpurea
Cheiridopsis purpurea
A sunny location is ideal for the plant.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. Reduce watering in winter.
Short-term -3.9 °C. The plant is not frost-resistant.
With age, it forms compact clumps, often up to 40 cm wide.
Cheiridopsis purpurea was botanically described by Louisa Bolus in 1931. This species occurs in South Africa, in the Northern Cape, where it grows on quartzite outcrops and open flats from Karrachab to Maerfontein, at elevations of around 300 meters. Due to its relatively small natural range, it is considered rare by botanists.
This succulent has light grey-green, slightly mottled leaves that are triangular and keeled, sometimes shortly hairy. Old, dried leaves persist on the plant. The stems are very short and, under slow-growing conditions, are practically invisible. The plant forms a low shrub about 12 cm tall and gradually develops compact clumps that can reach up to approximately 40 cm in diameter.
The flowers are showy, deep purple, and can reach up to 4 cm in diameter. They appear in winter, opening around midday and closing again at sunset.
Cheiridopsis purpurea has a partially reversed growth cycle, with active growth mainly in autumn and winter. It prefers moderate watering, and fertilizing is generally not necessary. If you are looking for a low-growing winter-flowering succulent with striking purple blooms, this species is a very attractive choice.