10 Most Spectacular Houseplants From The Desert Cacti And Succulents. Photo

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10 Most Spectacular Houseplants From The Desert Cacti And Succulents. Photo
10 Most Spectacular Houseplants From The Desert Cacti And Succulents. Photo

Video: 10 Most Spectacular Houseplants From The Desert Cacti And Succulents. Photo

Video: 10 Most Spectacular Houseplants From The Desert Cacti And Succulents. Photo
Video: AMAZING Cacti and Succulents (World's Most Spectacular Plants episode 11 of 14) 2024, March
Anonim

Among indoor plants, the native inhabitants of the driest places on the planet have always enjoyed special love. The deserved reputation of desert stars can be easily explained: no other plant can boast such ease of care and endurance. Although not all succulents and cacti belong to the crops found naturally in semi-deserts and deserts. Even so, the choice among true desert endemics is very large - from bright blooming stars to humble living stones.

Growing cacti at home
Growing cacti at home

The special nature of plants native to deserts

The natural conditions of the desert places of our planet are so harsh that only extremely hardy plants were able to adapt to them. But they are by no means a few: hundreds of species of the most hardy plants thrive even where everything around seems lifeless, competing for precious moisture with representatives of the fauna that are no less well adapted to drought.

Low and uneven humidity with a sharp drop in rainfall between seasons, very low air humidity, scorching sun, extreme hot African or more moderate North American temperatures have led to the fact that in the process of evolution, plants that have adapted to desert areas have acquired exceptional features:

  • the ability to be content with a minimum amount of moisture, sometimes hundreds of times less than for inhabitants of even a temperate climate;
  • variable metabolism - the ability to absorb carbon dioxide at night and close the stomata to stop moisture evaporation;
  • a sharp change in periods of active growth and complete rest - seasonal, pronounced vegetative activity, followed by deep "sleep";
  • absence or minimal number of stomata, leathery leaves protected by a waxy or fat coating.

Cacti and succulents are often associated with desert plants; for many, all plants from these groups seem to be the same in nature. But not all succulent crops come from deserts and even semi-deserts. Indeed, many succulents have migrated to rooms from mountainous regions, where the problem of lack of nutrients, moisture and sudden temperature changes is no less urgent, although we are talking about climatic conditions that are completely different in nature.

Most of the popular cacti and almost half of the succulents grow in the subtropics, mountainous and even forest areas. So not all succulents are desert plants, but all desert plants are definitely succulents. They are able to preserve water reserves in shoots or leaves, have fleshy water-storage tissues and thick skin, few stomata. All these mechanisms of adaptation are most clearly manifested in cacti.

Indoor plants of desert origin have not lost a single feature of their natural ancestors, even if we are talking about decorative forms and varieties that have undergone long-term selection. It is believed that adaptation to the extreme conditions of deserts and semi-deserts is irreversible. Such plants, even in the interior, remain ordinary desert dwellers, accustomed to far from typical humidity, temperatures and lighting.

One of the key features of desert plants is their extremely narrow “specialization”. Such cultures have adapted to the difficult conditions in the deserts to such an extent that they can no longer adapt to any other conditions of detention, having lost their ability to acclimatize. Their entire metabolism is arranged in a completely different way than that of plants from other climatic zones.

Those who want to grow desert plants should study their character well: to be successful and admire the drought-resistant stars for many years, they will have to recreate the conditions they are already familiar with. Standard care for such plants will not work.

Cactus
Cactus

All indoor plants that have come to us from desert places are united by other characteristics:

  1. drought resistance;
  2. love of the sun up to the need to be in direct sunlight, extreme sensitivity to any shading and insufficient lighting;
  3. thermophilicity;
  4. love for the extremes of night and day temperatures;
  5. the need for a long and strict dormant period for subsequent flowering.

There are many similarities in caring for desert cultures. Such plants require careful and rare watering; during the dormant phase, they can often do without them at all. Top dressing for desert stars is rarely carried out, and the substrate should be specific - light, sandy or stony.

Let's take a closer look at the brightest desert stars that are especially popular in modern interiors.

1. Star cactus astrophytum

Astrophytum (Astrophytum) - one of the brightest desert cacti. These are slow-growing plants with massive ribs, thanks to which the unbranching stems look like a star in the cut. Soft hairs are collected in tiny bunches, which gives cacti a unique "dotted" pubescence. The cactus blooms in indoor conditions, surprising with large yellow flowers with a red throat and a pubescent tube.

Star astrophytum (Astrophytum asterias)
Star astrophytum (Astrophytum asterias)

Distribution area: USA and Mexico.

It is an easy-to-grow cactus that does not like transplanting and deepening the root collar. It is distinguished by light-requiring, drought-resistance, exactingness to the composition of soils.

2. Invincible prickly pear

Capable of creating whole thickets and rugged tracts, prickly pears (Opuntia) lose their aggressiveness in indoor culture. These cacti are found in different conditions, but it is not for nothing that they have become a symbol of the Mexican deserts. Flat, segmented stems, often tear-shaped or oval in shape, surprise with both spines and thin bristles, which are very difficult to pull out of the skin due to notches.

Its unique rooting ability and strong superficial root system make this cactus very resilient. And single bright flowers in a half-open state remind of roses.

Opuntia (Opuntia)
Opuntia (Opuntia)

Distribution area: Australia, Central and South America.

Growing prickly pears will not cause any difficulties even for novice growers. Cacti develop quickly, they like abundant watering in spring and summer, very scarce - in winter. Opuntia are not afraid of sudden temperature changes, they can spend summer in the garden and are very light-requiring.

3. "Hedgehogs" of echinocactus

One of the largest spherical cacti, losing their spherical shape only at a very considerable age, flaunts with numerous ribs and golden spines. In indoor conditions, echinocactus (Echinocactus) not only does not reach its true size (in nature, echinocactus can exceed one and a half meters in height), but almost never blooms.

But the beauty and symmetry of the plant, adorned with densely arranged colored - gold, red, orange or golden brown - thorns, is so unique that the popularity of the "hedgehog" cactus does not seem so surprising.

Echinocactus, or hedgehog cactus (Echinocactus)
Echinocactus, or hedgehog cactus (Echinocactus)

Distribution area: deserts of Mexico and the USA.

It is very simple to grow echinocactus, but you need to ensure that the substrate is light and slightly acidic, the lighting is the brightest, and the wintering is cool. Echinocactus is watered even in winter only once a week, but this cactus does not tolerate a sharp change in humidity and prefers to spend the summer outdoors.

4. New varieties of boring aloe

A few decades ago, aloe (Aloe) experienced a period of undeserved oblivion, but today it is again included in the list of the most fashionable succulents. Boring and faceless specimens of the common aloe tree are already history. Today, flower growers around the world have paid attention to amazing varieties and types of aloe, which are ready to give odds to even the most original indoor desert stars.

Like a bizarre deep sea dweller aloe marlothii (Aloe marlothii), tsvetkovidnye elegant outlet aloe motley (Aloe variegata), a unique aloe polyphylla (Aloe polyphylla) with its location in a complex spiral leaves in flat rosettes, etc. -. Here are the new favorites. But without exception, all aloes remain succulents with fleshy leaves, collected in a basal or apical rosette, with a crescent-shaped section, a pointed tip, sharp teeth along the edge of the leaves and bluish patterns.

Aloe marlothii
Aloe marlothii
Aloe variegata (Aloe variegata)
Aloe variegata (Aloe variegata)
Aloe polyphylla
Aloe polyphylla

Distribution area: deserts of Africa and the American continents.

All aloes - both old and newfangled - are amazingly unpretentious. They love annual replanting, fresh air and cool wintering. Like all desert stars, aloe is sun-loving, but somewhat more tolerant of insufficient light. They require fairly abundant summer watering and do not really like feeding.

5. Serrated Gasteria

The stems of these succulents, shortened to complete invisibility, allow you to admire only the beauty of the leaves. In some species Gasteria (Gasteria) they are located in dense classical, others - in a dual row, striking symmetry rosettes, which if laid out manually "stacks" or tongue-fans, often with a rounded leaf tip.

Old leaves of Gasteria lodge, while young ones can be almost erect. White warts give the dark tough leaves a variegated effect. And the daughter rosettes formed in a very large number make it easy to propagate the plant or grow it "in colonies".

Gasteria
Gasteria

Distribution area: deserts of Africa.

Gasteria are fast growing succulents that will have to be replanted annually. Gasteria will prefer to winter in a cool place. But otherwise they are unpretentious, shade-tolerant, easily forgive mistakes and are watered abundantly in summer.

6. Blooming miracle - lamprantus

Among flower growers, these plants are still better known by the old name of the most common species - Oscularia deltoides, but other representatives of the Lampranthus genus, which included Oscularia, deserve attention. These are unique bushy succulents with highly branching shoots that lodge with age. They form real leaves, although the green looks outside the box. Blue-gray, thickened triangular, with jagged edges, the leaves make these succulents one of the most original.

But the real show of lampranthus begins only when the flowering starts. Small chrysanthemum-shaped flowers of pink or lilac colors bloom in such quantity that sometimes it is impossible to see the special greenery of the Oscular under them.

Far-sighted lampranthus (Lampranthus deltoides), or Oscularia deltoides
Far-sighted lampranthus (Lampranthus deltoides), or Oscularia deltoides

Distribution area: deserts of South Africa.

In growing lampranthus, the most difficult thing is to choose the right watering. Even in summer they are rarely and very carefully carried out, and in winter they are almost stopped. This succulent should spend a dormant period in the cold, but bright lighting is a measure that plants need all year round. It is very difficult to grow lampranthus without access to fresh air.

7. The finest shoots ottonas

The most unique of the succulents, Othonna is a plant whose true desert character is difficult to recognize even upon close inspection. Lying and drooping thinnest purple shoots are combined in this unique plant with long and thick leaves (up to 7 cm in length, the leaf reaches 3 cm). The leaves are arranged in rare pairs, gracefully spaced, conquer with the beauty of an elongated teardrop (or lobe) shape.

The rounded section of the leaves is not yet their most unusual feature. After all, the waxy coating on fleshy greens seems special. This succulent even blooms, letting in small yellow baskets of flowers, by which it becomes obvious that the plant belongs to the Asteraceae family.

Otto Cape (Othonna capensis)
Otto Cape (Othonna capensis)

Distribution area: deserts of South Africa.

For all its outlandish beauty, Otto is one of the easiest succulents to grow. Even in summer, watering for the plant is carried out about 1 time a week, avoiding waterlogging. Not just light-loving, but sun-loving, Otto loves light soil, cool wintering and fresh air.

8. Round-leaved portulacaria trees

Compare portulakariyu (Portulacaria) with one more tree-like succulent - Jade - it would be a big mistake. After all, portulacaria are special plants. Shrubs, which in indoor conditions develop in the form of densely branching, amazingly beautiful, compact trees, look amazingly impressive.

Round fleshy leaves with a bright color sit opposite on fleshy drooping shoots. The plant is easy to shape, creating even silhouettes reminiscent of bonsai, and the presence of several variegated forms allows you to choose plants to your liking.

African portulacaria (Portulacaria afra)
African portulacaria (Portulacaria afra)

Distribution area: deserts of Africa.

Portulacaria love to spend their summer outdoors and are not afraid of even the midday sun. It is easy to grow them, because even in summer the plant prefers restrained watering, and feeding is very rare for them.

9. Guatemalan miracle - Guatemalan Hechtia

One of the most unusual plants not only in the list of desert stars, but also among exotic indoor crops. The shortened stem is not visible under the stunning rosette, which looks artificial. In dense "bundles" of hechtia (Hechtia guatemalensis) are collected long and very narrow linear leaves that can stretch up to half a meter.

A prickly edge, a grayish color, a scaly bottom and a reddish bloom in bright light make the Guatemalan Hechtia a sparkling star. But this succulent manages to surprise also with flowering - panicles of white three-petal flowers.

Guatemalan Hechtia hybrid (Hechtia guatemalensis hybrid)
Guatemalan Hechtia hybrid (Hechtia guatemalensis hybrid)

Distribution area: deserts of Central and South America.

Growing this original culture is easy. For flowering, she needs to provide a cool winter, the light regime should be stable, and watering should be very accurate. Otherwise, hechtia is a typical unpretentious succulent, surprising with its endurance

10. Silver stones of pachyphytum oviparous

One of the most unusual and "precious" houseplants pahifitum (Pachyphytum oviferum) surprises and texture, and shape, and color. The shortened shoots are not visible under obovate, round or oval in cross section, reminiscent of either an outlandish pebble, or decorative pebbles, with leaves reaching 5 cm in length and 3 cm in diameter.

The fleshy leaves with a wax-like bloom are tinted gray-white, but the texture in the shade makes them appear bright silver, with a touch of rose gold in bright light. They seem to be strung or scattered in slides on the soil, they seem to be an artificial decoration of the interior. Silver pachyphitums also bloom in an original way, releasing bright red flowers on long pubescent pedicels.

Pachyphytum oviferum (Pachyphytum oviferum)
Pachyphytum oviferum (Pachyphytum oviferum)

Distribution area: deserts of the American continents.

Growing this silvery wonder is no more difficult than any common succulent. In summer, the pachyphytum will not refuse a place on the balcony, but even there it is content with scant watering, sun-loving and magnificent at any temperature. He needs even a cool wintering only for flowering.

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