Tradescantia

Tradescantia

Commonly called Spiderwort, Wandering Dew, or the not-so-politically-correct Wandering Jew, the tradescantia has been a favorite hanging plant for generations.

Its purple tint and soft leaves add to landscaping, and the plant is a perennial in the South Carolina climate.

Young shoots of potted plant Tradescantia. Greenery at home. Diseases. Aging, wilting.

Most Popular Types

At Growing Hobby we have the Purple Queen and Zebrina varieties. In the spring we typically carry Baby Bunny Bellies.

Light

These succulents prefer plenty of indirect light which in turn will help keep its bright colors vibrant.

Temperatures

Tradescantia make beautiful hanging baskets for covered porches. It thrives between 60 and 80 degrees F. Frost will quickly damage the plant. Bring it in once temps drop to 50 degrees, or leave the plants in your landscape to appear again in the spring.

Watering

Water tradescantia before it becomes completely dry.

Toxicity

Mildly toxic to cats and dogs.

Growth

Tradescantia grows well in hanging baskets.

The plants flower in the morning, and the blooms wilt into jelly by the afternoon.

Origin

North and South America

Propagation

Propagating tradescantia is so easy! Simply clip stems and place in moist soil. Roots should form in a couple of weeks.

Dormancy

Tradescantia is winter dormant.

Tradescantia pallida purple queen wandering dew

Tradescantia pallida purple queen wandering dew is also known as purple heart.

Tradescantia motley multicolor. Home flower with purple leaves. Grade Leonora blossfeldiana zebrina

Tradescantia Leonora blossfeldiana zebrina

Tradescantia Leonora blossfeldiana zebrina flowers during the summer

Young shoots of potted plant Tradescantia.

Tradescantia Moses in the Cradle

Young shoots of Tradescantia. Moses in the Cradle

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

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Stapelia, Huernia, and Orbea

Stapelia, Huernia, and Orbea

Stapelia, huernia, and orbea are closely related succulent species that have star-shaped blooms. Huernia is called the lifesaver plant because of its bold lifesaver-like ring on the flower. Orbea has starfish-like flowers with striking markings.  Stapelia is the largest of the group, with blooms up to 12 inches. The stapelia is sometimes called the corpse plant because of the unpleasant fragrance of its flowers.

 

Stapelia 2

Most Popular Types

Stapelia gigantea (corpse plant)
Huernia zebrina lifesaver cactus
Orbea schweinfurthii starfish plant

Light

These plants can take full sun or partial shade. In full sun, the stems may take on a reddish hue.

Temperatures

Stapelia and its relatives can withstand temperatures down to 40 degrees.

Watering

Light watering. We water when the branches become less firm than directly after watering.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans and pets. Huernia is planted on an ongoing basis to aid in food shortages in Ethiopa. Stapelia is sometimes used as an herbal remedy for hysteria.

Growth

Trailing pattern, typically no more than 12 inches tall.

When these plants flower, particularly the stapelia gigantea, you may notice a rotten odor coming from the bloom. Stapelia uses this odor to entice flies to pollinate. It’s worth growing, though, as the blooms can be more than 12 inches across, shaped like starfish.

Origin

South Africa and Arabian Peninsula

Propagation

Stapelia can be broken off at joints for propagation. Remember to allow the pieces to callous for a few days before planting them in soil.

Dormancy

These plants are winter dormant.

Stapelia huernia lifesaver cactus

Stapelia huernia lifesaver cactus

Flowering Orbea

Orbea’s flowers are a bit understated compared to its Stapelia relatives.

Stapelia gigantea

Stapelia does well draping from hanging baskets.

stapelia lg red

Stapelia produces extraordinary blooms

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

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Senecio

Senecio

Senecio varieties are some of the most enjoyable succulents to collect! Strings of pearls, dolphins, bananas, watermelon, fish hooks…

Once established, Senecio is extremely drought-tolerant and low maintenance.

senecio bartertonicus lemon bean bush

Most Popular Types

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), String of Dolphins (S. peregrinus), String of bananas (S, radicans), pickle cactus (S. stapeliiformis), vertical leaf Senecio (S. crassissimus)

Light

In hot climates, indirect light is recommended. In cooler climates, full sun. When bringing Senecio indoors for winter, place in a sunny location.

Temperatures

Senecio can tolerate temperatures to 33°F for short periods of time.

Watering

Water only when the soil is completely dry.

Toxicity

Toxic to humans and pets

Growth

Senecio, particularly the strings varieties, can reach 6 ft in length. White blossoms may appear in the fall.

Origin

South Africa

Propagation

Propagation by rooting cuttings between autumn and spring. Let cutting callous over for a few days. Then place on top of soil, and water when roots begin to develop.

Dormancy

Summer dormant

Senecio stapeliiformis

Pickle cactus, senecio stapeliiformis, grows quickly.

Senecio rowleyanus string of pearls

Senecio rowleyanus, string of pearls, is a favorite among succulent collectors.

Senecio radicans string of bananas

The plump leaves of the Senecio radicans brought its nickname: string of bananas.

senecio peregrinus string of dolphins

Senecio Peregrinus, or string of dolphins, has leaves that mimic dolphins at play.

Senecio bartertonicus lemon bean bush

Senecio bartertonicus lemon bean bush is a quick grower.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Sempervivum

Sempervivum

Hens and Chicks

Sempervivum is often called “hens and chicks,” or “hens and biddies.” It is a succulent plant that has been passed down through the generations, often planted in a strawberry pot.

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

Sempervivum arachnoideum which produces a cobweb to shade it from the sun, and S. tectorum with red tinted leaf points are two popular varieties.

Light

Partial to full sun

Temperatures

Sempervivum is winter hardy in many areas, withstanding temperatures as low as -20°F.

Watering

Outside in the summer, we water them once each week unless it rains. During the winter, once each month. Kept indoors, sempervivum can be watered once each month.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to people and pets

Growth

Sempervivum is a ground cover, keeping low to the soil. The “mother hen” will produce chicks around the mature plant before flowering. As sempervivum is monocarpic, the center plant will wither away while the chicks develop.

Origin

Southern Europe

Propagation

Offsets. All those chicks!

Dormancy

Winter dormant

Sempervivum tip top

Sempervivum tip top is one of the many quickly spreading hens and chicks.

Gardener planting sempervivum plant in the garden. Spring garden works concept

sempervivum in hands

Sempervivum is a great groundcover.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

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Portulacaria Elephant Bush

Portulacaria |  Elephant Bush

While Elephant Bush is often called a Mini Jade, the two are not related. Elephant Bush is sometimes eaten as a delicacy, while jade (Crassula) is toxic. Portulacaria is commonly eaten by elephants, while tortoises and goats prefer to graze on the variegated variety.

Portulacaria Elephant Bush

Most Popular Types

Portulacaria afra – green and variegated varieties are popular. The variegated type takes on a pink hue in direct sun but is less resistant to heat.

Light

Full sun

Temperatures

Minimum temperature of 33°F

Watering

Water when top inch of soil is dry

Toxicity

Non-toxic to people and pets

Growth

Can grow to 12ft in height, producing periodic pink flowers. This plant is suitable for bonsai.

Origin

South Africa

Propagation

Stem cuttings

Dormancy

Summer dormant

Portulacaria pre-bonsai elephant bush mini jade

Portulacaria, often called mini jade, works well for bonsai. This one has a thick trunk but has not yet been trained.

Decorative bush succulent Portulacaria afra for landscaping gardens

Elephant bush succulent Portulacaria afra

Elephant bush is often used as a summer groundcover.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop

Peperomia

Peperomia

There are more than 1000 species of Peperomia originating from every the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. There are three main types of peperomia: epiphytes from rain forests, succulents from arid climates, and geophytes with tubers that survive cold seasons. All peperomia produce tiny flowers on spikes in the spring.

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

Radiator plants such as Peperomia albovittata, String of Turtles (P. prostrata), Baby Rubber plant (P. obtusifolia)

Light

Medium to bright indirect light

Temperatures

Minimum temperature of 50°F

Watering

Water when top 2 inches of soil is dry.

Toxicity

Non-toxic for people and pets

Growth

Prefers soil with organic matter. Tiny flowers appear on spikes throughout the year.

Origin

Tropical regions worldwide

Propagation

Stem cuttings

Dormancy

Summer dormant

Peperomia obtusifolia variegated

Peperomia obtusifolia variegated is a fun switch on the traditional baby rubber plant.

Peperomia little toscani piccolo banda albovitatta

Peperomia little toscani, piccolo banda with inflorescence, and albovitatta

Peperomia caperata

Peperomia caperata

Peperomia argyreia

Peperomia argyreia

Peperomia prostrata string of turtles

Peperomia prostrata string of turtles

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

Book A Workshop