Monthly Featured Species: Sarcocaulon multifidum
Welcome to our Monthly Featured Species!
Each month, we’ll feature one or two species, focusing on their horticulture along with interesting tidbits you can share with your friends. We’ll begin with species for which there are widespread misconceptions about their care. In fact, search engine results and AI-generated recommendations for some of these plants can be completely erroneous!
Our first installment is Sarcocaulon multifidum, now reclassified as Monsonia multifidum. These are relatively easy-to-grow plants, but they suffer from two major misconceptions: first, that they are winter growers, and second, that they should be watered only sparingly.
Summer Growing
Our Monsonia multifidum— and Sarcocaulon in general — grow extremely well during the summer months, flourishing with consistent moisture. They should never be allowed to go completely dry during their active growing season.
Our plants remain in full, vibrant leaf despite daytime temperatures exceeding 90°F. When they aren’t given enough water, the delicate leaves begin to yellow and drop. The plant then grows poorly or may be forced into premature dormancy. This is likely one of the reasons for the misconception that these plants are strictly winter growers.
During the summer growing season, we water ours at least once a week, keeping the soil consistently moist.
Despite often being treated as succulents, Sarcocaulon are not true succulents, and we therefore water ours throughout the year. During winter, when the plants are out of leaf or less actively growing, we reduce watering substantially — but we still provide enough moisture to keep the soil from becoming completely dry and hard.
Light
In Tucson, our plants grow well under 50% shade all the way to direct sunlight.
When first establishing one at your home, however, we recommend providing at least partial shade during the first two weeks to allow the plant to acclimatize to its new environment. Once established, you can gradually increase the amount of sunlight it receives.
Soil
A well-draining soil mix makes the care of these — and all of our plants — considerably easier.
Our preferred mix is 50% salt-depleted coir and 50% pumice. The coir we use is available from EcoGro https://ecogro.com/. Any well-draining mix, however, can work well.
A Great Specimen Plant
Monsonia multifidum makes a fabulous specimen plant. They look particularly impressive when staged, require relatively little space, and, contrary to much of the information available online, can flourish throughout the summer growing season.
As always, our recommendations are based on our own experience growing these plants, rather than simply repeating the conventional wisdom found online.
Give them adequate light, a well-draining soil, and — most importantly — enough water during active growth, and you may be surprised by just how vigorous these plants can be!
Maureen & Mike Massara and Joel Dworkin