🌱 Morphology
   Leafless stem, generally solitary, although it can form small groups. The rosette reaches about 30–40 cm in diameter and height. Its approximately 30 leaves are lanceolate, fleshy, glaucous, and strongly curved inwards, forming a compact head. They have small spines on the underside and triangular teeth on the margins: whitish on young leaves and reddish or brownish-red as they mature. The plant can take on pink or reddish tones with drought and high light. It is slow-growing.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family
Asphodelaceae. Endemic to South Africa, restricted to Gauteng and North West, mainly in the Magaliesberg and Witwatersberg ranges, with small peripheral populations. It grows in shallow, stony soils rich in quartz, on north-facing slopes or summits within the Gold Reef Mountain Bushveld and Rand Highveld Grassland. It is listed as Critically Endangered (CR). The removal of wild plants is illegal.

❄️ Temperature
USDA 9b–11. Although it can withstand cold spells if kept completely dry, for container cultivation we recommend keeping it above 5 °C and, above all, avoiding wet substrate during cold nights.

☀️ Lighting
A species from very bright environments. Target during growth: 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR. Tolerates full sun after gradual acclimatization, and high light enhances its bluish, pink, and reddish tones. In Madrid, protect from extreme sun through glass or during summer afternoons if scorch marks appear.

💧 Growth cycle
Winter dormancy, coinciding with the dry season in its habitat, although it produces its flowers during winter. Vegetative growth is concentrated mainly during the warmer and wetter months. During the active period: Water abundantly and let the substrate dry out completely before the next watering. In winter, keep it practically dry, especially at low temperatures.

🌸 Flowering
It normally produces a single cylindrical, dense inflorescence, about 30–40 cm, exceptionally branched. The buds are dull red and the open flowers take on greenish cream tones, while the stamens protrude intensely in dark purple, creating a very characteristic tricolor effect. In Madrid, it blooms in  January-February.

🌿 Nutrition
During the growing period, use Desert CHOICE® Aloes, Haworthia & Co., with calcium and potassium supply. Reduce or suspend fertilization during winter dormancy.

This is an inimitable xerophyte cultivated in Madrid in a technological square pot and with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

📏 The size of our basic collection xerophytes is as follows:

S -> 9cm x 9cm

M-> 14cm x 14 cm

L->16cm x 16 cm

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The photo description specifies the plant's measurements, but this may also vary slightly, because it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.