Pleiospilos nelii

🌿 Technical Sheet – Pleiospilos nelii

Common name: Split rock, mimicry plant
Scientific name: Pleiospilos nelii
Family: Aizoaceae
Origin: South Africa

📝 Description

Pleiospilos nelii is a perennial succulent with a unique, stone-like appearance that resembles a rock split in half. This natural camouflage makes it highly valued in succulent collections and rock gardens. It usually has one or two thick, rounded leaves in a grey-green tone with darker speckles. It blooms in late winter or early spring with large, daisy-like flowers in bright yellow or orange.

🌞 Light and placement

Light: Requires plenty of natural light. Ideal in sunny spots but can tolerate partial shade.
Placement: Outdoors in warm climates or indoors in very bright spaces. Avoid direct sunlight during peak hours indoors.

💧 Watering

Frequency: Very infrequent. Water only when the soil is completely dry.
Dormancy: Reduce or stop watering in winter.
Avoid: Overwatering, as it is highly prone to rot.

🌡️ Temperature

Optimal: Between 18 ºC and 28 ºC (64–82 ºF)
Minimum tolerated: 5 ºC (41 ºF). Protect from frost or extreme cold.

🌱 Soil

Well-draining substrate, ideal for cacti and succulents.
Can be mixed with coarse sand, perlite, or volcanic gravel for better drainage.

🌼 Flowering

Season: Late winter to early spring
Color: Bright yellow, occasionally orange
Notes: Flowers are large in proportion to the plant’s size

🌾 Propagation

By seeds: Most common method. Germination in 1–3 weeks
By division: Less frequent, possible if the plant produces multiple heads

🐶 Toxicity

Toxic: Not considered toxic to pets.
Caution: While non-toxic, it is not recommended for consumption.