Care of the succulent plant Lampranthus amoenus or Darling lampranthus |
The genus Lampranthus, family Aizoaceae, comprises 250 species of succulent plants native to southern Africa. Some species are: Lampranthus amoenus, Lampranthus zeyheri, Lampranthus aureus, Lampranthus blandus, Lampranthus multiradiatus, Lampranthus spectabilis, Lampranthus falcatus. Common names: Darling lampranthus, Darling vygie. This species is native to South Africa. They are succulent plants with a creeping bearing with reddish stems that reach 15 cm (5.9") in height. They have small fleshy cylindrical evergreen green-gray leaves that turn reddish in intense sunlight. They produce abundant and showy bright purple flowers. They bloom from late spring to early summer. Darling lampranthus is used in rockeries, on borders, to cover slopes and in pots for terraces and balconies. It resists salinity. Lampranthus amoenus needs full sun exposure. It resists occasional frosts down to -5 ºC (23 ºF). These slow-growing plants grow in any type of well-drained soil, even poor soils. Planting or transplanting is done in spring. Darling vygie is a drought resistant plant. Water moderately, waiting for the substrate to dry completely. Fertilize in late winter with compost. After flowering, it's advisable to prune withered flowers and dry or deteriorated branches. The main enemy of Lampranthus amoenus is excess humidity. Darling lampranthus propagates from seeds sown in late winter or early spring, by division or by cuttings. |
Images of the succulent plant Lampranthus amoenus or Darling lampranthus |