Monanthes subcrassicaulis are originally from the Canary Islands. They would usually form in altitude ranges above 300-800 meters sea level.
You can commonly find them in cliffs in these areas. These are some fabulous rosette forming sets of plants. Monanthes subcrassicaulis are also called Monanthes muralis also.
Anybody would love growing them as these are cute looking creatures which usually grow as dwarf succulents.
So, I am going to cover how you need to look after them well. If you are a curious succulent grower, it is worth reading this article.
How do I identify Monanthes subcrassicaulis?
Monanthes subcrassicaulis usually grow as densely branched plants. These are perennial plants and would be only 5-10 cm in height once they fully grow.
They would produce leaves which you could spot in dull green. Moreover, those leaves would form slightly furrowed and oval in shape.
Moreover, they may consist of red spots as well. Monanthes subcrassicaulis produce flowers in white, pink. They would tend to take a circular shape. Furthermore, those flowers will contain a raised center.
Monanthes subcrassicaulis stem would form in an ascending or decumbent form. They would tend to become pendulous once they mature.
Those stems would be 2-5mm in diameter and slightly woody. Further they would be glandular and hairy too. Monanthes subcrassicaulis leaves would be obovate or round in shape.
Those leaves would be 6-10 mm in length. Moreover, they would be 3-4 mm in width and would be 2 mm in thickness. They may further consist of granular hairs in the lower part too.
Monanthes subcrassicaulis form leaves in rosette types. Once rosette would consist of about 6-10 leaves.
As aforesaid, they would produce flowers in white, pink. They would be 3-5mm in diameter. Moreover, they would be glandular hairy too.
Growth rate
Monanthes subcrassicaulis are usually slow growing plants. However, they will grow well when you cultivate them.
One look care guide
| Botanical Name | Monanthes subcrassicaulis |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Mature Size | height of 5-10 cm once |
| Sun Exposure | Full sunlight to partial shade |
| Soil Type | Well draining |
| Soil pH | Neutral |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | Whiteish pink |
| Hardiness Zones | USDA zones 9-11 |
| Native Area | Canary islands |
| Toxicity | Non toxic |
| Average price | 8 USD |
How do you take care of Monanthes subcrassicaulis?
Light Requirement
A bright sunny spot would suit these plants the best. Having said that, they would prefer to have some shade during intense sunny hours of the day.
Many people tend to grow them under benches in shade or along with some Haworthia plants. However, if you grow them while deprived of sufficient sunlight, it would also be unhealthy on the plants.
Furthermore, on top of that if you add water in excess, it would also be harmful for them . Literally it would simply lead to root rot.
The adequate sunlight exposure is crucial for the wellbeing of the Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants. Furthermore, it would enhance the flowering of the plants as well.
However, if you expose them to direct sunlight, it will result in scorching of the plants. Those sunburnt patches would remain on the plants forever. As such, Best is to refrain from exposing them for direct sunlight.
Temperature and humidity
Warmer temperatures right throughout the year would be optimal for the vigorous growth of the Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants.
So if you have grown them outdoors you need to bring them indoors to protect them from frost. Chances are that you may even lose your precious plants due to Colder temperatures.
Hence, be mindful if you are specially a person who lives in areas where you experience frost conditions constantly.
In that context best would be to grow them as houseplants if you ensure that you can fulfill their requirement in sunlight. Moreover, you can bring them outdoors during summer.
Is it cold hardy?
Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants cannot withstand cold well and they are not frost hardy plants.
Zone
Monanthes subclassical plants would get optimal conditions if you grow them in USDA zones 9-11.
Watering Requirement
Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants do not have a strong requirement in terms of watering. During winter, it is very unlikely that they need any water at all as they would prefer to stay dry.
However, when it comes to watering them in spring, you need to slightly increase watering them.
You need to water them thoroughly while ensuring that all the excess moisture is moving out from the pot without retaining within the pot.
Besides when watering them, do not ever spill any on their foliage. If you accidentally do so, it would lead to water build ups in the plants and eventually it would make your plants more vulnerable for fungal and bacterial attacks. Always try to keep them dry.
Soil Requirement Type / pH.
An excellent draining soil mix is a must to grow the Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants.
Further you may consider adding organic matter such as peat and humus to better the draining of the soil mix.
Moreover they would create a proper aeration in the potting medium as well. If there is a poor aeration in the soil, it would lead to root rot. If you grow them outdoors, choose a rocky sandy soil mix for them.
Pot size Potting and Repotting
Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants require a pot which has ample drainage to thrive well.
Further when it comes to repotting, you should conduct repotting of the Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants once every two to three years.
Then you can closely inspect the plant’s roots as well. However, ensure that you do not damage the plant’s roots when repotting them.
Repotting will provide new growing conditions for the plants. Consequently, it would allow them to gain fresh nutrients as well.
Where to Plant
You need to choose a spot where they can gain full sunlight as well as dappled sunlight during the afternoon hours. Moreover, always go ahead with a well-draining soil mix as well.
Fertilizer and time of year
I recommend using fertilizer which has a high component in potassium for these plants. You can apply it during their active growing season. However, check the instructions on the fertilizer label and best is to dilute them and then use. Avoid feeding them in their dormancy.
Flower
Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants produce flowers in whitish pink in spring.
Dormancy
Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants will be dormant during winter.
Toxicity
There are no records of any toxicity of the Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants.
Common bugs and illnesses
Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants are prone for numerous insects’ attacks. However, if you provide the right growing conditions, it is very unlikely that you will have to deal with these.
Literally if you have grown them in a well-draining soil mix and if there is a proper aeration in the soil mix along with adequate sunlight exposure, you will hardly come across any situation like this.
However, if you spot any sudden deterioration of health, you need to act fast and remedy it unless chances are that you may even lose your precious Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants.
Red spiders, mealybugs and scales are some of the commonly spotted pests’ types which may regularly attack these plants especially if there are any favorable conditions for them.
If you spot any red spiders, you need to rub them or simply water them from the above. If we consider the mealybugs, they will usually tend to attack the new growths of the plants.
However, they would tend to attack the underground plant section more. To eradicate them, you need to dab the critters with cotton swabs in alcohol. Alternatively, you may soak the succulent roots with a systemic insecticide also.
Scales would infest these plants little less when we compare them with other pests’ types. Rot is another commonly spotted disease among these plants.
Over watering and a poor draining soil mix would lead to rot. This is something which you need to be mindful about as if it gets severe, it’s very unlikely that you could save the plants.
Special Care tips
These plants need a minor supervision from you to grow. All you need to do is to arrange a well-draining soil mix, little water and bright indirect sunlight.
You should bear in mind not to expose them to frost at any given time. Further never leave them exposed for direct sunlight as well.
Needless to mention that you need to avoid over watering too. If you fulfill these requirements, they would reward you with fine blooms as well.
How to propagate Monanthes subcrassicaulis?
You could use their cuttings to propagate them. They would start developing the roots faster.
Moreover, you could propagate the Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants through their seeds as well. You can simply sow them in a well-draining soil mix and leave them exposed to a temperature of 21-degree Celsius. They would germinate within two- or three-weeks’ time.
Monanthes subcrassicaulis benefits
Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants are excellent picks for container growing. They would be such little cuties which would make you feel good.
Moreover, you can grow them in green houses as well. Besides, they can also thrive outdoors too. Not only that but also, Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants would be handy potted windowsill plants as well.
Conclusion
To wind up, Monanthes subcrassicaulis plants are such great plants which anybody would love to grow. If you ensure that you provide all the right growing care tips, they will flourish and grow to their best.
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