Product Details
Highlights
Split Rock (Pleiospilos nelii): A grey-green mesemb that actually grows well on a window sill! These unusual-looking succulents have thick, egg-shaped leaves with sharp, angular lines where leaf pairs meet. Its pattern of neat, pinpoint speckles helps it camouflage against blocks of granite in its native South African habitats.
Split rocks are adapted to arid conditions and will not tolerate low-light or over-watering. They need rapidly draining mineral soil (80% mineral grit, 20% organic soil) and a deep, narrow pot with a drainage hole. Plants can be watered deeply in spring and fall, but only if the soil is dry and the inner leaf pair starts to feel soft. These plants are very susceptible to rot and should be left fairly dry in the summer and winter.
As split rocks grow, new leaf pairs emerge in the center. Allow the outer leaf pair to dry and shed as its stored water is used to sustain the new growth. Limp, wrinkled outer leaves are not necessarily a sign that the plant needs water. Use the firmness of the inner leaf pair to determine if your plant needs water. This plant can produce large, daisy-shaped golden blooms that open in the afternoon and close by nightfall.
Product Size
2.0" Pot
Current Primary Color
Blue / Blue-green
Bloom Color
Yellow Bloom
Grow Zone (Hardiness)
Zone 10 (30F)
Recommended Light Conditions
Bright Indoor Light, Full Sun
Maximum Height
3"-5"
Maximum Rosette Size
3"-4"
Growth Habit / Shape
Clumping / Mounding
Special Characteristic
Pet Safe, Slow Grower, Showy Blooms
THIS PLANT IS HARDY IN ZONES 10+
WHAT IS MY HARDINESS ZONE?
Videos
Questions & Answers
Popular Questions
A new Split Rock needs to be transplanted into a pot with a drainage hole and very gritty, well-draining soil like this Bonsai Jack Gritty Mix. It should be grown on a sunny windowsill or outdoors in part to full sun if the weather is mild. Do not water for at least a week after transplanting.
After that, Split Rocks should only be watered after the innermost leaf pair feels soft. So softness can be a normal sign of thirst, but it can also indicate heat stress or rot if a Split Rock was watered before it was ready. These are some of the more drought-tolerant succulents and should be watered extremely infrequently.
The first are UV tinted windows. These windows specifically filter out the harshest rays of sun to prevent carpet and furniture fading. Fortunately, they do not filter out visible light (like red and blue light) which is what the plants need. These windows won't kill your plants.
The second are room darkening tints. These tints are designed to make a room darker and do filter out a portion of visible light. This kind of tinting can be devastating for plants that like a lot of sunlight (like Echeveria and most cacti).
If you do find that you have room darkening tints, a grow light may be a good option for you. Click the link below to read our guide on… See full answer »
