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Orostachys iwarenge
The plant likes a sunny habitat.
If grown in a pot, always water after the substrate dries out. In a rock garden, water about once a week during long dry periods.
Hardy succulents, reportedly will harden to -34.4 °C when dry.
This is an attractive rock garden plant that can be used as a ground cover succulent. It is suitable for both rock gardens and succulent gardens.
Orostachys iwarenge, also known as Chinese Dunce Cap or Orostachys malacophylla var. iwarenge, is a fascinating succulent that attracts attention with its unique appearance and interesting growth habit.
The lavender grey leaves form conical rosettes of fleshy and soft leaves. These rosettes can grow up to 5 cm in diameter and spread by means of short stems. Personally, I always say they look like little jellyfish. Over time the plant forms a clump that can reach about 5 cm tall and up to 45 cm wide, making it an attractive ground-cover succulent.
During Indian summer, rosettes up to 15 cm high are topped by spires of tiny yellow, to creamy white, flowers. Individual rosettes gradually die back after flowering, but this does not harm the overall appearance as they are soon replaced by new rosettes. When in bloom, this is a truly breathtaking spectacle.
From late autumn to spring, the rosettes become heavily retracted and the plant is then hardly watered at all. Watering is resumed in spring when the rosettes start to develop again. The plant grows actively in spring and summer. If it is grown in a well-drained and airy substrate with good drainage, it becomes very hardy and low-maintenance.