🌱 Morphology
   A slow-growing perennial succulent that forms dense clusters of columnar stems. These initially grow upright, but as they lengthen, they may lean and spread across the ground. The leaves are small, narrow, and fleshy, with a smooth, glossy surface, a relatively rounded base, and a stiff, very sharp tip. They are tightly arranged in five spiral rows and project sideways from the stem, often at nearly a right angle. This arrangement gives the plant a spiny appearance: the tips can be painful to touch. Compared with Astroloba congesta, with which it is often confused, A. foliolosa has smaller, thinner leaves that spread outward more, while those of A. congesta tend to be straighter or curve inward toward the stem.

🌍 Origin, habitat, and family
An endemic species of South Africa, found in the province of the Eastern Cape and associated with areas of the southern Great Karoo. It grows in open, rocky terrain, where it may become established alongside other plants that provide some protection from intense sunlight and herbivores. The epithet foliolosa refers to its numerous small leaves.

Family Asphodelaceae · Tribe Alooideae · Genus Astroloba.

❄️ Temperature — USDA 10a
As a conservative growing guideline, it is best to keep it above 0 °C and protect it from frost, especially when the substrate is wet. The combination of cold and persistent moisture can encourage root rot.

☀️ Lighting
It prefers abundant light, with gentle sunlight or bright partial shade. Good light encourages compact growth and the characteristic arrangement of the leaves, but exposure to intense sunlight should be introduced gradually. As an initial guideline, a DLI PAR of approximately 8–15 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ is recommended, adjusted according to the plant’s acclimation and response.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Opportunistic. An absolute seasonal dormancy period is not considered necessary. During periods of growth and moderate temperatures, water thoroughly and allow the substrate to dry before watering again. In summer, if heat slows growth, space out watering and ensure excellent ventilation. In winter, reduce watering as temperatures drop. Avoid waterlogging throughout the year.

🌸 Flowering
It produces a slender, generally unbranched inflorescence that can exceed 30 cm in length. The flowers are small, greenish-white or pale cream, with green midribs. In its South African habitat, it flowers between August and March, from late winter to early autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. When grown in Madrid, flowering time may shift depending on environmental conditions.

🌿 Nutrition
During active growth, we recommend Desert CHOICE® Aloes, Haworthias & Co., with an NPK ratio of 3-2-8 and calcium and magnesium. Apply moderately and reduce or suspend fertilization during periods of dormancy or intense heat.

8x8 cm gourmet black pot

This is an inimitable xerophytic plant, grown in Madrid in a technological square pot with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the specimen shipped may differ slightly from the product image. The plant’s measurements are specified in the photo description, but these may also vary slightly because it is a living thing! Each plant at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.