If you’re looking for a more exotic plant to cultivate, try
growing Trachyandra plants. What is a Trachyandra? There are several species of
this plant found throughout South Africa and Madagascar. The following article contains
Trachyandra plant info about different species and tips on growing Trachyandra
succulents – if you’re lucky enough to find one.
What is a Trachyandra?
Trachyandra is a genus of plants similar to Albuca.
The majority of the species are from the Western Cape of Africa. They are
tuberous or rhizomatous perennials. The leaves are fleshy (succulent) and
sometimes haired. Many of Trachyandra plants are small and shrub like with
fleeting (each bloom lasts for less than a day) white star-shaped flowers.
The tuberous perennial Trachyandra falcata is found
along the west coast of South Africa. It is also called “veldkool,” meaning
field cabbage, as the flower spikes are eaten as a vegetable by the indigenous
people of the region.
T. falcata has broad sickle shaped, leathery leaves
with erect, sturdy flower stalks protruding from the stem base. The white
blooms are blushed a faint rose hue with a distinctive brown line running the
length of the flower.
Other species include Trachyandra hirsutiflora and Trachyandra saltii. T. hirsuitiflora can be found along the sand flats and lower elevations of the Western Cape of South Africa. It is a rhizomatous perennial with a linear habit that grows to about 24 inches (61 cm.) tall. It blooms in late winter to spring with an excess of white to grey flowers.
T. saltii is found along the grasslands of southern
Africa. It grows to a height of about 20 inches (51 cm.) and has a grass-like
habit with a single stem and white flowers that bloom in the afternoon and
close at dusk.
Another species of this plant is Trachyandra tortilis.
T. tortilis has an amazing habit. It grows from a bulb and is found
along the Northern and Western Cape of South Africa in well-drained sandy or rocky
soil.
Unlike the erect leaves of other varieties of this plant, T. tortilis has ribbon-like leaves that fold and coil, varying from plant to plant. It grows up to 10 inches (25 cm.) in height with three to six leaves that get to about 4 inches (10 cm.) long. Flowers of this plant species are pale pink striped with green and are borne on a multi-branched spike.
Growing Trachyandra Succulents
These plants are actually considered quite rare in
cultivation, so if you happen to come across one, it could be an expensive
addition to your exotic plant collection. Since they’re native to South Africa,
they’re most often grown indoors as houseplants in well-draining potting soil.
Also, these are winter growers, which means the plant will
go dormant in summer, dying back for a month or so. During this time, you
should only provide minimal water, maybe once or twice, and keep it in a warm,
well-ventilated area.
Once temps begin to cool, the plant will begin to regrow its
leaves. Care is then a matter of providing plenty of sun. Since these bulbs are
prone to rot in overly moist conditions, suitable drainage is vital. While
Trachyandra will require regular watering every two weeks throughout its active
growth from fall throughout spring, make sure to let the plant dry out between
waterings.
If you’re looking for a more exotic plant to cultivate, try
growing Trachyandra plants. What is a Trachyandra? There are several species of
this plant found throughout South Africa and Madagascar. The following article contains
Trachyandra plant info about different species and tips on growing Trachyandra
succulents – if you’re lucky enough to find one.
What is a Trachyandra?
Trachyandra is a genus of plants similar to Albuca.
The majority of the species are from the Western Cape of Africa. They are
tuberous or rhizomatous perennials. The leaves are fleshy (succulent) and
sometimes haired. Many of Trachyandra plants are small and shrub like with
fleeting (each bloom lasts for less than a day) white star-shaped flowers.
The tuberous perennial Trachyandra falcata is found
along the west coast of South Africa. It is also called “veldkool,” meaning
field cabbage, as the flower spikes are eaten as a vegetable by the indigenous
people of the region.
T. falcata has broad sickle shaped, leathery leaves
with erect, sturdy flower stalks protruding from the stem base. The white
blooms are blushed a faint rose hue with a distinctive brown line running the
length of the flower.
Other species include Trachyandra hirsutiflora and Trachyandra saltii. T. hirsuitiflora can be found along the sand flats and lower elevations of the Western Cape of South Africa. It is a rhizomatous perennial with a linear habit that grows to about 24 inches (61 cm.) tall. It blooms in late winter to spring with an excess of white to grey flowers.
T. saltii is found along the grasslands of southern
Africa. It grows to a height of about 20 inches (51 cm.) and has a grass-like
habit with a single stem and white flowers that bloom in the afternoon and
close at dusk.
Another species of this plant is Trachyandra tortilis.
T. tortilis has an amazing habit. It grows from a bulb and is found
along the Northern and Western Cape of South Africa in well-drained sandy or rocky
soil.
Unlike the erect leaves of other varieties of this plant, T. tortilis has ribbon-like leaves that fold and coil, varying from plant to plant. It grows up to 10 inches (25 cm.) in height with three to six leaves that get to about 4 inches (10 cm.) long. Flowers of this plant species are pale pink striped with green and are borne on a multi-branched spike.
Growing Trachyandra Succulents
These plants are actually considered quite rare in
cultivation, so if you happen to come across one, it could be an expensive
addition to your exotic plant collection. Since they’re native to South Africa,
they’re most often grown indoors as houseplants in well-draining potting soil.
Also, these are winter growers, which means the plant will
go dormant in summer, dying back for a month or so. During this time, you
should only provide minimal water, maybe once or twice, and keep it in a warm,
well-ventilated area.
Once temps begin to cool, the plant will begin to regrow its
leaves. Care is then a matter of providing plenty of sun. Since these bulbs are
prone to rot in overly moist conditions, suitable drainage is vital. While
Trachyandra will require regular watering every two weeks throughout its active
growth from fall throughout spring, make sure to let the plant dry out between
waterings.