Project Type: Succulents
Agave ‘Blue Glow’ (Blue Glow Agave)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: Because the scientific name for this plant is so simple, it is just referred to as “Blue Glow”. The name on the tag when I bought it was “Aloe Blue Glow”, but it is not an Aloe! Scientific Classification: Order: Asparagales Family: Asparagaceae (yep, same as Asparagus!) Sub-Family: Agavoideae Genus: Agave Cultivar: ‘Blue Glow’ is a cultivated hybrid between Agave attenuata and Agave ocahui.¹ Note: … Read More Agave ‘Blue Glow’ (Blue Glow Agave)
Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’ (Hobbit Jade)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “Pygmy Jade”; “Hobbit Jade”; “Finger Jade” Scientific Classification: Order: Saxifragales Family: Crassulaceae Genus: Crassula Species: C. ovata Cultivar: ‘Hobbit’ Note: It is commonly confused with Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’, which has leaves that are entirely tubular. Gollum and Hobbit?… quite a Tolkien duo¹, here! Native To: The Shire. Haha, just kidding! Nursery-produced cultivar (origin species from South Africa). Growing Specs: Appearance: Small-branched, compact, shrubby … Read More Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’ (Hobbit Jade)
Crassula perforata (String of Buttons)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “String of Buttons”; “Necklace Vine” Scientific Classification: Order: Saxifragales Family: Crassulaceae Genus: Crassula Species: C. perforata Native To: South Africa Growing Specs: Appearance: Small and shrubby succulent with a short stature of up to 1.5 feet. It stands erect with a woody stem and fleshy, triangle-shaped leaves. With sufficient sunlight, it will exhibit reddish-pink leaf margins. Flowering: Miniature white flowers appear in spring. Hardiness: It … Read More Crassula perforata (String of Buttons)
Curio rowleyanus (String of Pearls)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “String of Pearls”; “String of Beads”; “String of Peas” “String of Bananas” (Curio radicans/Senecio radicans) and “String of Dolphins” (Curio peregrinus/Senecio peregrinus) are close relatives. Scientific Classification: Order: Asterales Family: Asteracae Sub-Family: Asteroidae Genus: Curio Species: C. rowleyanus Note: Formally known as Senecio rowleyanus. Native To: South Africa Growing Specs: Appearance: Perennial succulent with trailing stems that grow up to 3 feet long and … Read More Curio rowleyanus (String of Pearls)
Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “Blue Chalksticks”; “Blue Fingers” Scientific Classification: Order: Asterales Family: Asteraceae Sub-Family: Asteroideae Genus: Curio Species: C. talinoides var. mandraliscae Note: Previously known as Senecio mandraliscae. It is often mislabeled as Senecio serpens. Senecio serpens has a shorter growing habit, has leaf tips that are rounded instead of pointy, and is much less vigorous in growth. In plant nomenclature, the “var.” in the name stands for variety, … Read More Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae
Echeveria ‘Afterglow’ (Afterglow)
by Xylem Rising
Note: The blue-toned picture above had no photo filter applied to it. It just glows blueish-periwinkle at twilight. Maybe that’s why it’s called ‘Afterglow’? Common Name: There is no common name for this Echeveria cultivar. Scientific Classification: Order: Saxifragales Family: Crassulaceae Sub-Family: Sedoideae Genus: Echeveria Cultivar: ‘Afterglow’ Note: Echeveria ‘Afterglow’ is a cultivated hybrid between Echeveria cante and Echeveria shaviana.¹ Native To: Nursery-produced cultivar (origin species … Read More Echeveria ‘Afterglow’ (Afterglow)
Echeveria ‘Imbricata’ (Blue Rose Echeveria)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “Blue Rose Echeveria” Scientific Classification: Order: Saxifragales Family: Crassulaceae Sub-Family: Sedoideae Genus: Echeveria Cultivar: ‘Imbricata’ Note: Echeveria ‘Imbricata’ is a cultivated hybrid between Echeveria secunda and Echeveria gibbiflora ‘Metallica’.¹ Native To: Nursery-produced cultivar (origin species from Mexico). Growing Specs: Appearance: Large, flat, powdery blue leaves with a tight rosette. The tips of the leaves and outer leaf margins have a little tinge of pink when … Read More Echeveria ‘Imbricata’ (Blue Rose Echeveria)
Echeveria prolifica (Prolific Echeveria)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “Prolific Echeveria” Scientific Classification: Order: Saxifragales Family: Crassulaceae Sub-Family: Sedoideae Genus: Echeveria Species: E. prolifica Native To: Mexico Note: “This species has yet to be found in the wild and it is possible that all of the Echeveria prolifica in cultivation are vegetative offsets (and therefore genetically identical) to the original type specimen bought at a roadside nursery in Mexico in 1969.”¹ Growing Specs: … Read More Echeveria prolifica (Prolific Echeveria)
Euphorbia lactea ‘Cristata’ f. variegata
by Xylem Rising
The “f.” in the name stands for “form”, or “forma”. In plant nomenclature, it is secondary to the variety or cultivar. The primary form of this plant is Euphorbia lactea ‘Cristata’, which is an all-green form. This particular form, the variegata, is the same variety (or cultivar in this case), only it has a different leaf appearance. Common Name: “Pink Ghost Crest”, “Crested Pink Ghost”, … Read More Euphorbia lactea ‘Cristata’ f. variegata
Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ (African Milk Tree)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “African Milk Tree”; “Cathedral Cactus” Note: Despite some Common Name Confusion, Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ is not a cactus, nor a tree. Scientific Classification: Order: Malpighiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Sub-Family: Euphorbioideae Genus: Euphorbia Species: E. trigona Cultivar: ‘Rufra’ Note: Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ is the red form of Euphorbia trigona, which is all green. Native To: West Africa Growing Specs: Appearance: Vertical, upright growth that … Read More Euphorbia trigona ‘Rubra’ (African Milk Tree)
Haworthiopsis attenuata (Zebra Plant)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “Zebra Plant”; “Zebra Haworthia” Scientific Classification: Order: Asparagales Family: Asphodelaceae Sub-Family: Asphodeloideae Genus: Haworthiopsis Species: H. attenuata Note: Formerly known as Haworthia attenuata. Native To: South Africa Growing Specs: Appearance: Short leaves are arranged in rosettes that are 6-12 centimeters in diameter. The leaves display bands of white tubercles (warty growths). Grows to 6 inches tall. Flowering: Small, tubular white or pink flowers grow … Read More Haworthiopsis attenuata (Zebra Plant)
Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant)
by Xylem Rising
Common Names: “Panda Plant”; “Pussy Ears” Note: ‘Chocolate Soldier’ is a cultivar of this plant, and it is sometimes confused as a common name. Scientific Classification: Order: Saxifragales Family: Crassulaceae Genus: Kalanchoe Species: K. tomentosa Native To: Grows wild on the islands of Madagascar. Growing Specs: Appearance: Kalanchoe tomentosa is a hardy succulent, perennial shrub with light green, furry leaves up to 3 inches long and 1 … Read More Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda Plant)
Ledebouria socialis (Silver Squill)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “Silver Squill”; “Wood Hyacinth”; “Leopard Lily” Scientific Classification: Order: Asparagales Family: Asparagaceae (yep, same as Asparagus!) Sub-Family: Scilloideae Genus: Ledebouria Species: L. socialis Native To: South Africa Growing Specs: Appearance: Perennial succulent bulb. Bulbs are teardrop-shaped and grow entirely above ground. Fleshy, stalkless, broadly lance-shaped, pointed leaves are mottled silver and olive green with deep violet undersides, growing 2-4″ long. Grows 6-10″ … Read More Ledebouria socialis (Silver Squill)
Pachyphytum oviferum (Moonstones)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “Moonstones”; “Sugar Almond Plant” Scientific Classification: Order: Saxifragales Family: Crassulaceae Sub-Family: Sedoideae Genus: Pachyphytum Species: P. oviferum Native To: Mexico Growing Specs: Appearance: “Moonstones” is a prostrate ground cover succulent that grows up to 5 inches tall and about a foot wide. Its leaves are thick, fleshy, and exhibit a beautiful bluish-purple color. Flowering: The flowers appear in winter to early spring, … Read More Pachyphytum oviferum (Moonstones)
Sansevieria cylindrica var. patula ‘Boncel’
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “Spear Orchid”; “Starfish Sansevieria”; “Skyline Spear” Scientific Classification: Order: Asparagales Family: Asparagaceae (yep, same as Asparagus!) Genus: Sansevieria Species: S. cylindrica var. patula Cultivar: ‘Boncel’ Note: In plant nomenclature, the “var.” in the name stands for variety, a taxonomic rank below species but above form or cultivar. Native To: Nursery-produced cultivar. Note: Sansevieria cylindrica (the primary species) is native to Angola. Growing Specs: … Read More Sansevieria cylindrica var. patula ‘Boncel’
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “Striped Mother in Law’s Tongue”; “Striped Snake Plant” Scientific Classification: Order: Asparagales Family: Asparagaceae (yep, same as Asparagus!) Genus: Sansevieria Species: S. trifasciata Cultivar: ‘Laurentii’ Native To: Nursery-produced cultivar (origin species from Africa). Growing Specs: Appearance: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’ is a robust plant up to 3-4 feet tall with a tight clump of broad, vertical leaves. Dark green leaves are variegated with pale green, zig-zag … Read More Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’
Sedum kimnachii (Mexican Sedum Stonecrop)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “Mexican Sedum” Scientific Classification: Order: Saxifragales Family: Crassulaceae Genus: Sedum Species: S. kimnachii Note: Often misidentified as Sedum confusum. Native To: Mexico Growing Specs: Appearance: Sedum kimnachii is an excellent groundcover succulent that forms a flat, dense carpet of shiny leaves. Flowering: A bright yellow flower distinguishes this Stonecrop. Cheerful, easily propagated, and loved by bees and butterflies. Hardiness: Hardy to 25 degrees … Read More Sedum kimnachii (Mexican Sedum Stonecrop)
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “Jelly Bean Plant”; “Jelly Bean Stonecrop” Scientific Classification: Order: Saxifragales Family: Crassulaceae Sub-Family: Sedoideae Genus: Sedum Species: S. rubrotinctum Native To: Mexico Growing Specs: A vigorous, self-propagating Stonecrop. Appearance: Succulent perennial with leaning stems up to 8″ tall. Green to red tipped leaves that can grow up to an inch long. Flowering: Sprouts bright yellow flowers from between the leaves in mid-spring. Hardiness: Not fully hardy, but … Read More Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant)
by Xylem Rising
Common Name: “ZZ Plant”; “Zanzibar Gem”; “Eternity Plant” Scientific Classification: Order: Alismatales Family: Araceae Sub-Family: Asclepiadoideae Genus: Zamioculcas Species: Z. zamiifolia Note: There is only one species in the Zamioculcas genus, and that is the ZZ Plant. Native To: Eastern to South Africa Growing Specs: Appearance: Grows up to 2 feet tall from a succulent rhizome. The leaves are pinnate, smooth, shiny, and dark … Read More Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant)
