Echidnopsis sharpei subs. repens

Asclepaidaceae

Native

Somalia

Description

Echidnopsis repens is an easy obliging blooming plant. It is a reclining to creeping plant, with stems being cylindrical, creeping, branched, 1 cm in diameter, tubercled, brown-reddish. Small star-shaped red flowers.

Environment

Edithcolea plants prefer early morning or late afternoon sun. They will tolerate very hot weather outdoors as long as they are kept in filtered light .They also enjoy some fertilizer.

Since roots are quite shallow, use a cactus mix or add extra perlite or pumice to regular soil potting soil. A gritty, very free-draining compost is suitable, and clay pots help the plants to dry out between watering. Re-pot every 1 year.

They require moderately watering through the growing season but enjoy plenty of water and some fertiliser in hot weather, this helps them to flower freely. Water more sparingly in winter according to temperatures. But, as with most asclepiads, it is unwise to leave them wet in cold weather.

As soon as they are flowered be sure to take extra precautions to keep them dry, because damp cool conditions when the plants are resting is an invitation to fungal infections

Landscape Uses

Makes an attractive landscape plant and grasslands or pampas, on plains and walls It is an excellent plant for container growing. It always looks good and stays small.