Orostachys Malacophylla (The Green Dunce Cap)

This succulent is herbaceous, and it is a native of Eastern Asia. It occurs in Mongolia, Northern China, North Eastern China, Japan, Korea, and Eastern Siberia in Russia. It grows in the crevices of rocks in relatively high altitudes between 3940 and 5910 feet above sea level. The epithet ‘malacophylla,’ from which its specific name comes, means soft leaves, referring to the texture of its leaves.

Orostachys Malacophylla Physical Characteristics

Its leaf color ranges from green to pale green, and it can spread to about 6 inches due to offsetting. The offsets, in return, spread, and the spreading continues until the succulent covers considerable ground.

Its leaves are fleshy, with their shape ranging from oblong, obovate to elliptic. Leaves have rounded tips, and they don’t have an apical spine.

The plant produces a 20 cm long inflorescence in summer from which its creamy white flowers grow.

Its flowers are plenty, so this succulent is quite a sight in summer. It loses all its above-ground foliage in winter when it goes dormant, but the foliage returns in spring.

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Orostachys Malacophylla Care

This succulent is known for its ability to grow in poor soils; it doesn’t like too much organic matter in the soil because such organic matter distorts the morphology of the succulent, causing it to lose the beauty of its rosettes. Also, the soil should have high gravel content to allow easier aeration of the roots. High gravel content also allows water to easily sip through, only enabling moisture to remain in the soil. Waterlogging and exposing the soil to too much moisture is why succulents usually have root rot. You can avoid root rot by only watering the succulent when it has exhausted water from the previous drink. Naturally, the plant will consume more water in hotter seasons and during its growing season. Wait to water it in winter since it will have entered dormancy, shedding off all its foliage.

It prefers bright light, which can be from direct or indirect sunlight. Provide a shade for the succulent when summers are too hot. It can withstand freezing temperatures, but the humidity level should be low as high humidity predisposes the plant to fungal infections. Therefore, if a winter is wet, you should move it to a sheltered place.

You can give it additional feeding from a liquid phosphate and potassium-rich fertilizer. You can feed it once in every growing season.

DO YOU KNOW? Caring (propagating, pruning/trimming, beheading, watering, …) is a set of skills that is applicable to almost every succulent. Read the in-depth succulent care guide right here >>

Orostachys Malacophylla Plant Growth

You can propagate the succulent using offsets, which it produces in considerable quantities. Also, you can propagate the plant using leaf cuttings or behead the plant and plant the cutting. Repotting is necessary when the succulent outgrows its pot. You may trim this succulent to prevent excessive spreading.

Final Thought

The succulent is easy to grow, and it is quite winter hardy, which makes it an ideal plant for new plant parents who live in areas that experience icy winters.

ABOUT ME

Richard Miller

Salute everyone. It's Richard, the author of this Succulent & Xeriscaping blog. I am a traveler and a nature lover looking for a connection with the wild green. In my journey, I found a love for succulents and xeriscaping. What attracts me is the long-lasting & unique beauty of every plant I have the chance to see with my own eyes. Welcome to my little blog and let's enjoy a good time together!

Contact me: richard.succulentcity@gmail.com