Aptenia cordifolia
Baby sun rose, Rosa del sol, Red aptenia, Rooi brakvgie
Also known as Lithocarpus cordifolia, Mesembryanthemum cordifolium
- Height × spread
- 0.05m × 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A delightful prostrate plant which opens its vibrant flowers when the sun shines. They are shaggy little daisies, coloured from magenta to scarlet, white to yellow. They come from the succulent chunky looking leaves that are triangular, smooth looking and a bright fresh green, and covered with fine hairs. This will spread by creeping, rooting as it goes. It needs very well drained gritty soil and a warm and sunny spot. It is not frost hardy.
- Flower colour
- Red, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Prostrate
- Height
- 0.05m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Gravel garden, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Indoor light
- full light at all times
- Indoor temperature
- 6C minimum temperature
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring · Indoors
Feed with low nitrogen feed
Give the plant a single feed in spring using a houseplant fertiliser that is low in nitrogen.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), choose one where nitrogen has a low value.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water to keep soil moist
Water regularly, but do not leave the plant sodden or with water in a saucer at its feet. It likes to be dry during the winter months.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Planting & general
Compost · Outdoors
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Indoor temperature · Planting
6C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 6 Centigrade.
Compost · Planting
Cactus compost for repotting
Use standard cactus compost. Top the soil with grit or granite chips to ensure perfect drainage around plant stem. Repot when the plant is dry and delay watering for 3 days after repotting.
You can also make own compost using 3 parts John Innes no. 2, 1 part horticultural grit, and 1 part horticultural grade perlite or pumice. There are many 'recipes' available and opinions vary widely - consult specialist literature or websites.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a sunny spot, close to window
Give this plant a position where there is as much light and sunlight as possible, within 2-3 metres of a sunny or bright window (one that is south, east, or west facing).