Huernia

Lifesaver plant

Huernia are stem succulents with five-lobed, funnel or bell-shaped flowers often striped vividly in contrasting colours or tones, some glossy, others matt and wrinkled depending on the species concerned. The flowers attract flies by emitting a scent similar to that of carrion. Lifesaver plants can be grown as intriguing indoor, greenhouse or summer patio container plants almost anywhere and can be grown outdoors in warm-winter and Mediterranean climates.

plant Features

Partial shade
Very little water
Not Frost hardy
Light and free draining

plant information

Common name

Lifesaver plant

Latin name

Huernia

type

Succulent

family

Apocynaceae

ph

5.0 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral

Light

Partial shade
Frost

Not Frost hardy

Soil

Light and free draining
Water

Very little water

Plant & bloom calendar

Best time to plant

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Lifesaver plant is 0.35meters x 0.25meters

0.35 M 0.25 M

Huernia

Planting

From Early Spring TO Early Spring

Mostly, Huernia are grown as houseplants. If purchased as a pot plant, re-pot in spring as necessary, using a shallow pot. A commercial cactus mixture plus a little added leaf mould is ideal. Put a layer of broken crocks in the bottom to improve drainage. It needs as much light as possible, but protect from direct sun during summer. It will tolerate normal temperatures in summer and can be put outdoors until early autumn. In winter keep at a minimum temperature of 10°C (50°F).

Propagation by cuttings

From Early Summer TO Mid Summer

You can take cuttings from early to mid-summer. Using a sharp knife, cut off healthy stems. Place on a sheet of paper and allow to dry for about 4 days before planting cuttings in individual pots of commercial cactus compost.

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