Bouquets of roses are so beautiful and romantic to display in your home. However, they tend to have a pretty short life span, leaving drab and drying flowers in their wake. Instead, take a look at the mountain rose succulent, also known as the Greenovia dodrantalis. They look just like pink rosebuds but they last so much longer. These succulents’ leaves fall in layers like rose petals, creating the look of a rose about to open. With a little love and care, these rare succulents make stunning and delicate houseplants.
These Rare Succulents Look Just Like Roses
These plants are found in the eastern and western areas of Tenerife, which is in the Canary Islands. However, they became dangerously rare succulents due to tourism and over-collection. Fortunately, they are not fussy plants; in fact, they are fairly easy to care for.
How to care for rose succulents:
Light and environment
Rose succulents need lots of light to grow. So you could place them in a bright area, under grow lights, or outdoors. But if you put them outside, put them in a shaded spot because direct sunlight could burn the leaves. And if you live in a cold region, bring them inside before the freezing winter comes in — and put them back outside in the spring.
Watering and draining
They don’t need a lot of water but require proper draining. Therefore, it’s advised to water the seedlings at first via a spray bottle. Then, when you identify several layers of leaves, transport them into larger pots with well-drained systems. Water them whenever the top of the soil feels dry. And in the winter, water them about half the amount.
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Soil and pest control
Use gritty potting soil. It’s also best to fertilize them in the cold season. And keep an eye out for pests and battle them immediately. Especially when you are bringing the plants inside for the winter; you don’t want any creeping crawling hitching a ride into your home.
Growing and re-potting offsets
A full-grown version of this rare succulent can grow to about six inches high and they grow in clusters. As you tend to them, they could grow offsets or pups (also known as smaller versions of the “rosebuds” that branch off the main plant in thin stems.) You could actually use these offsets to propagate the succulent. Simply snip off the pups and grow them in another pot. Keep in mind, that the succulents may not flower often, so take advantage of every budding. [1]
Where to Buy These Succulents
However, these rose succulents could be hard to find in stores. The pink version of these succulents is especially rare. They usually come in a blue-green color, which still looks like rosebuds. It may take a couple of years until the succulent look like roses, which is when they are mature. You can buy the seeds or the buds from Etsy. Once you have them potted and growing, you could enjoy the beauty of this plant all year. They are easy to grow and more unique than other succulents — just a lot rarer. [2]
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Sources:
- “Learn About A Rose-Shaped Succulent Called Greenovia Dodrentalis.” Gardening Know How. Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist.
- “These Rare Succulents Look Just Like Pink Rose Buds.” Better Homes and Gardens. Emily VanSchmus. August 11, 2021