Astroloba foliolosa
| Light | Bright, indirect light to some direct sun; tolerates a little shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly; let the mix dry fully between waterings, keep drier in winter |
| Soil | Gritty, fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Offsets and seed |
| Toxicity | Generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Astroloba foliolosa is a small, slow-growing South African succulent that forms slender, columnar stems set with triangular leaves. The stiff, deltoid leaves overlap at their bases but, rather than lying flat against the stem, curve and spread outward — sometimes almost at right angles — and are arranged in about five ranks that often twist into a loose spiral up the stem. It belongs to the genus Astroloba, a group of leafy succulents in the asphodel family closely allied to Haworthia and Aloe.
Description
Astroloba foliolosa grows as an upright columnar stem set with small, hard, deltoid (triangular) leaves arranged in roughly five ranks. The leaves overlap at their bases but spread and curve outward, often standing well away from the stem, so the column has an open, ranked look rather than a smooth, tightly appressed one. Colour is typically a glossy grey-green, sometimes taking on warmer or bronzed tones under strong light and lean conditions.
Stems are initially erect but lengthen and eventually lean or ramble along the ground with age, and mature plants offset from the base to build up a small clustering clump. The flowers are modest — small, cream-white blooms, often tinged with green or yellow, carried on a slim inflorescence — and are of far less interest to most growers than the tidy architecture of the foliage.
Distribution and habitat
Like the rest of the genus, Astroloba foliolosa is native to the arid interior of South Africa, particularly the Karoo, where it grows among rocks and low scrub in gritty, well-drained ground. Plants there endure long dry spells, strong sun and wide swings between day and night temperatures, often sheltering partly beneath nurse shrubs or in the lee of stones.
Cultivation
This is an undemanding plant for anyone already comfortable growing Haworthia or other Karoo succulents. Grow it in a very free-draining, mostly mineral mix and give it bright light — enough sun to keep the columns compact and the leaves tightly stacked, with a little protection from the most intense afternoon heat to avoid scorching.
Water thoroughly only once the mix has dried out completely, then allow it to dry again; the plant is far more tolerant of neglect than of excess. Ease right back in winter, when the plant is resting, as cool wet soil is the surest way to lose it to rot. See Watering and Repotting for general technique, and Pests and diseases for what to watch for.
Propagation
The easiest method is division: established clumps produce basal offsets that can be separated and potted up individually once they have a few roots of their own (see Propagation — offsets). Stem sections can also be rooted as cuttings — let any cut surface callus before setting it on dry mineral mix. The species can be raised from seed as well, though this is slower and less commonly done in the hobby.
Common problems
- Rot — nearly always from overwatering or a mix that holds moisture; columns soften and discolour from the base.
- Etiolation — too little light stretches the stem and loosens the neat leaf spacing, spoiling the tight columnar look.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff tucked between the leaves and at the roots) are the most frequent nuisance; root mealybugs in particular can go unnoticed until repotting.
See also
- Astroloba — the genus overview
- Haworthia · Aloe
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — offsets · Propagation — cuttings