Huernia volkartii Werderm. & Peitscher 

🌱 Morphology

   A succulent, perennial plant of low growth, forming dense clumps or mats of fleshy, erect, ascending, or slightly prostrate stems. The stems usually have four or five ribs, with conical tubercles that are slightly prominent and end in small, soft tips. Their color varies from grayish green to reddish or purplish brown during dry periods. The stems usually measure about 3–5 cm in height, although they can grow considerably longer and spread to form large clumps. Their flowers, which are relatively small but have a very striking pattern, stand out due to their densely papillose inner surface.

Family: Apocynaceae · Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae · Tribe: Ceropegieae · Subtribe: Stapeliinae.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family

It is native to southern tropical Africa, and is found in Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. It grows in dry environments and open scrubland, on shallow soils and among rocks, including granitic outcrops and stony hills. In some locations, it is found in elevated areas, where it can benefit from occasional atmospheric moisture without having its roots waterlogged. The species is adapted to alternating periods of growth associated with water availability and periods of drought, during which its stems can take on reddish hues. It is distinguished by its cream-colored flowers, decorated with pink, reddish, or maroon lines and spots.

❄️ Temperature — USDA 10b

It tolerates minimum temperatures close to 1.7 °C, the climatic reference for USDA zone 10b, although this figure does not guarantee its survival at that temperature. It is sensitive to frost and persistent dampness when it is cold. It is recommended to protect it when nighttime temperatures fall below 8–10 °C and to keep the growing medium almost dry during the winter.

☀️ Lighting

It needs plenty of light to maintain compact growth and promote flowering. A very bright location is recommended, with soft morning sun or partial shade during the middle hours of the day. It can tolerate more direct sunlight if it is acclimatized gradually. As a cultivation reference, a DLI PAR of approximately 12–20 mol/m²/day can be targeted, adjusting it to the plant's response and the available ventilation.

💧 Growth and watering cycle

Winter dormancy. Growth is concentrated mainly during warm periods, when it has adequate light and temperatures. During this phase, it is recommended to water thoroughly and allow the growing medium to dry completely before watering again. During the winter, watering should be considerably reduced, especially if the plant remains in a cool location. Prolonged dampness around the roots can promote rot, so it is essential to use a mineral-based, well-aerated growing medium with rapid drainage.

🌸 Flowering

It produces flowers about 2–3 cm in diameter, usually solitary or in small groups, located near the base of the stems. The corolla is shallowly bell-shaped with five triangular lobes. The outside is usually cream-colored with reddish or brown shades; the inside has a cream-colored background decorated with irregular transverse lines and spots of deep pink, dark red, or maroon. The inner surface is covered with small papillae, some of them mottled, which give it a very characteristic rough texture. Flowering usually occurs during the warm months. As with other stapeliads, the flowers can release a scent that attracts pollinating flies.

🌿 Nutrition

Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, applied moderately during the active growth period and following the product's dosage instructions. Balanced nutrition promotes the formation of new stems and root development without stimulating excessively soft growth. During the winter dormancy, it is recommended to reduce or suspend fertilizing.

Gourmet black 9x9 cm pot

This is an unrivaled xerophytic plant grown in Madrid in a technological square pot with a growing medium activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.