Family: Aizoiaceae
Habitat: Namibia and South Africa
Cultivation: Not so difficult to cultivate, they are not so demanding neither regarding soil fertility, nor in waterings.
Curiosity: The name “Cheiridopsis” comes from the Greek word, “Cheiris”, which means “sleeve”: during its rest period, in which there isn’t any observable plant growth (in the Summer), the old dried leaves form a sort of sleeve to protect the plant from direct intense light.

– KEY FEATURES

The genus Cheiridopsis includes more or less 50 species, widespread in the Southern and west parts of Africa, in the coast areas. They are tiny plants: never more than 20-25 centimeters tall. Their stem are short and bear groups of leaves which grow in pairs, in opposite sides of the stems. The colour and shape of the leaves appear slightly different in different species. Its flowers are big, similar to daisies, of various colors, from yellow to pinkish-white to an intense purple-violet.
Cheiridopsis plants go through a vegetative rest during the Summer: their growing season starts in Autumn and covers all the Winter. In Summer, they protect from the intense light of southern Namibia with their typical “sleeve” made of dead leaves which surrounds the plant.

VARIETY AND TYPES

The genus Cheiridopsis includes more or less 50 species. Here below there are many of them: try to check our online shop in the section “Cheiridopsis” to find some of them!

• C. alata
• C. amabilis
• C. aspera
• C. aurea
• C. bifida
• C. brownii
• C. bruynsii
• C. candidissima
• C. carinata
• C. caroli
• C. caroli-schmidtii
• C. cigarettifera
• C. cuminata
• C. delphinoides
• C. denticulata

TIPS FOR GROWING

Here below are our tips for growing Cheiridopsis:

SUN EXPOSURE:
Cheiridopsis need plenty of light: they are able to defend themselves from a too intense sunlight.
TEMPERATURE:
They are resistant to low temperatures, but it’s actually better to avoid cold events under 2-5ºC. Make sure the soil remains dry during cold periods to avoid root rottings.
WATERING:
Water Cheiridopsis regularly from September, every 3-4 days: make sure the soil dries up before each watering.
SUBSTRATE:
Use a well drained and rich in mineral nutrients substrate.
REPOTTING:
Choose large pots cause this plants tend to form mats.
PROPAGATION:
It’s easy to propagate this plants through leaf cuttings. Plant cuttings in the beginning of September.