Nananthus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Aizoaceae. Its native varieties are in southern Africa and eastern Namibia. Plants are propagated by seed.
The members of the genus Nananthus belong to the families Aloinopsis and Titanopsis. The thick-rooted plants are tufted with pointed leaves organized in rosettes, and the attractive flowers come in yellows and sweet stripes. Durable growers, the flowers are 0.75 inches (2 cm) in size, occasionally yellow with some red.
Nananthus succulents will do well in clayey soil. In the wild, they are summer growers; however, they typically act as winter growers in cultivation.
1. Nananthus Aloides
Nananthus Aloides is a succulent belonging to the family Aizoaceae. It has a stout, tuberous rootstock with closely-set, dark green, pointed leaves with white warts. It grows in a tuft like a little aloe, eventually closing in to form a mat covered with little daisy-like yellow flowers.
2. Nananthus Broomii
Steven Hammer considers Nananthus Broomii to be a distinct species because it is a local or morphological type of Nananthus vittatus with smaller leaves.
Nevertheless, it is quite comparable to the latter and is not quickly separable by any essential character from the other vittatus. Under stress, the leaves take on a brown or red color. It is extremely long-lasting.
3. Nananthus Cibdelus
Nananthus Cibdelus is still classified as an Angiosperm (flowering plant) in the family Aizoaceae. This plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and many other types of pollinating bugs.
4. Nananthus Enkelekoppie
Nananthus Enkelekoppie is a small type similar to Nananthus aloides, but with longer leaves covered in warty dots. It is a very variable Nananthus that is also very cold-hardy.
5. Nananthus Gerstneri
Nananthus Gerstneri is in the family Aizoaceae in the significant group of angiosperms (blooming plants). This species’ native range extends from Eastern Cape Province to Free State. It is a succulent subshrub native to the desert or dry shrubland biome.
6. Nananthus Margaritifera
Nananthus Margaritifera are simple and rewarding plants to grow. They grow in areas with heavy winter rains and were about to go dormant in the summer. Tips have been made to keep them cool, shaded, and dry in the summertime.
7. Nananthus Pallens
Nananthus Pallens is a genus of dwarf plants in the Ice Plant Family (Aizoaceae) native to South Africa’s inland areas. Nananthus pallens is hardly ever encountered in cultivation, but it has wonderful yellow flowers with a red stripe down the middle of each petal.
8. Nananthus Pole-evansii
Nananthus Pole-Evansii is another little South African succulent. The seed for this plant came from Nels River Dam. These have been discovered to be cold-resistant for us here in Pueblo. These plants make thick mounds comparable to Nananthus transvaalensis. This hardy plant likewise flowered on and off all winter.
9. Nananthus Vittatus
Nananthus Vittatus is a multi-branching, wrinkled plant forming a mat with succulent leaves organized in low rosettes and carrot-like roots. It is rather variable. Northern Cape Province and northwestern South Africa are home to this species.
10. Nananthus Wilmaniae
Nananthus Wilmaniae is a local or morphological form of Nananthus aloides. It is very similar to the latter (though not identical) and cannot be distinguished from the basic aloides by any character.
How To Grow And Care For Nananthus
Nananthus are easy to maintain and satisfying plants. Originating from a more continental part of South Africa, they will endure intense heat and some frost. They must be gently shaded in the summer. minimally, just when the plant begins shriveling. They require full sun or light shade in the other seasons. They usually flower in the fall.
A lot of types establish large root systems and need to be kept in a big pot. The soil mix requires outstanding drainage to prevent root rot. Often, they are planted to show part of the root system.
Growing Conditions
Light: Nananthus plants require full sun or light shade.
Temperature: These plants can only tolerate a small amount of frost for a short period. It is reported to be durable to a minimum of 10 °F (-12 °C).
Water: Water minimally in summer, just when the plant begins shriveling.
Soil: Because of the taproot, they need an extremely gritty garden compost with good drainage.
Propagation
Nananthus plants are propagated by cuttings and seeds.
