€7,95

🌱 Morphology
It looks as if someone had carved small silver coins and placed them carefully on fleshy stems. Its thick, rounded leaves in an elegant grayish-green tone are covered in a fine pruina that gives them that powdery, almost mineral appearance. The open rosette and the stems that elongate over time give it an especially attractive sculptural presence.

It is a cultivated form of Cotyledon orbiculata, a species that is highly variable in size, shape, and leaf coloration. The 'Shireen' form stands out for its fleshy, rounded, smooth leaves, which are densely covered in pruina and feature a small reddish apical mucron. The stems are erect and branched, eventually forming a small succulent shrub.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It belongs to the Crassulaceae family. Cotyledon orbiculata is a species widely distributed throughout South Africa, present in numerous provinces and adapted to very diverse environments, from scrublands to regions of the Karoo. It typically grows in stony, well-drained terrain and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade. 'Shireen' is a horticultural selection and, therefore, does not have its own natural distribution.

❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 9a–11b
It tolerates minimum temperatures of down to −6.7 ºC in dry, well-acclimated specimens during brief exposure. Cold accompanied by humidity significantly increases the risk of damage, so the substrate should be kept dry during winter spells.

☀️ Lighting
It requires plenty of light to maintain a compact shape and preserve the intense silver-gray tone of its leaves. It tolerates direct sun, although it is advisable to acclimate it gradually, especially after periods of protected cultivation. Insufficient lighting promotes stem elongation and reduces the plant's compactness.

💧 Growth cycle and watering
Summer dormancy. Growth mainly in autumn, winter, and spring, with a slowdown during periods of intense heat. During active growth, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry out completely before the next watering. In summer, if temperatures are high, it is advisable to space out waterings considerably. In winter, it may continue to grow and, under favorable conditions, develop its characteristic bloom.

🌸 Flowering
It produces upright inflorescences with numerous tubular, hanging flowers in orange, reddish, or yellow tones, with a lighter interior. Flowering usually occurs during the cold months, although it may vary according to the climate and local form. The tubular flowers are especially attractive to nectar-feeding birds.

🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, a fertilizer specific for succulents with a high content of assimilable calcium, such as Desert CHOICE® Succulents, is recommended, applied once a month when watering.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a high-tech square pot with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

9x9 cm gourmet black pot

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

• Hassle-free returns

• Free Shipping on orders over €79.99

• Secure and protected payment guaranteed.