Rosularia platyphylla, commonly known as Turkish stonecrop, is a succulent plant native to Turkey. It is frequently located in the crevices of high mountain rocks. Due to its clustered appearance and thin leaves, it is often mistaken for Sempervivum, also known as hen and chicks. However, unlike Sempervivum, Rosularia platyphylla does not die after flowering. You need to cut off the flower stems.
Recognized as one of the most low-maintenance succulent varieties, Rosularia platyphylla is widely utilized by garden designers and horticultural enthusiasts to enhance outdoor gardens. This blog will guide you on adequately maintaining Rosularia platyphylla, focusing on ground and potted planting.
How to Care for Grounded Planted Rosularia platyphylla?
When planting Rosularia platyphylla in the ground, the most crucial factor is selecting the correct location. It is best to plant it outdoors in the crevices of rocks, such as in rock gardens or alpine gardens, or alongside slopes and between stepping stones. This mimics its natural ecological habitat. Alternatively, you can use Rosularia platyphylla as a supplementary plant in the shade of other plants within an outdoor succulent garden. This approach ensures that they receive adequate light while also protecting them from the intense heat of the summer sun.
Spring and autumn are the peak growing seasons for succulents, and ground-planted varieties require minimal maintenance. They will thrive and provide natural beauty with little effort. During the cold winter months, you can cover Rosularia platyphylla with a light layer of mulch or pine needles to offer extra protection from frost. While this can help retain warmth, areas with heavy rain or snow may require the use of non-woven fabrics or other protective ground coverings to keep the succulents warm.
How to Care for Potted Rosularia platyphylla?
Pot and Soil
Rosularia platyphylla is well-suited for lightweight plastic flower pots with moderate depth. This succulent thrives by growing side buds to form a clustered shape reminiscent of a stunning bridal bouquet. Using a heavy flower pot can make it difficult to transport once filled with soil. Therefore, a plastic pot featuring multiple drainage holes is a prudent choice.
For those with elevated decorative preferences, consider pairing it with an attractive ceramic or clay pot in a cylindrical shape. This option will not hinder the care and movement of the succulents.
Like other succulent plants, Rosularia platyphylla prefers loose, well-drained soil mix. It is essential that the soil contains rich particles such as perlite, vermiculite, sand, or gritty rocks. A recommended ratio is 3 parts of these particles to 7 parts of regular gardening soil. For larger specimens of Rosularia platyphylla, you may want to increase the size and quantity of the particles.
Furthermore, I highly recommend applying a layer of 1-2 centimeters of dark gravel on the soil surface. The contrast between the dark gravel and the vibrant emerald green of Rosularia platyphylla creates a visually striking effect.
Watering
Rosularia platyphylla has a blocky root system and is more drought-resistant than Sempervivum succulents. It is essential to ensure the potting soil is completely dry before watering. When you water Rosularia platyphylla, use bottom watering or pour water onto the soil while avoiding the rosette part. This helps prevent water from accumulating between the cluster heads, especially in summer, which can lead to rot or attract insect pests.
Overwatering is the most common issue for indoor potted Rosularia platyphylla. This often happens for two reasons. First, when the plant has outgrown its pot, it can be challenging to assess the moisture level of the potting soil. As a result, it's easy to overwater based on a fixed watering schedule without checking the soil. Second, indoor environments typically have poorer ventilation compared to outdoor settings. The clustered arrangement of the heads and succulents doesn't promote efficient evaporation of soil moisture, making waterlogging more likely.
Sunlight
Rosularia platyphylla thrives in bright sunlight. When it doesn't receive enough light, its leaves may flatten out, and the succulent will resemble an aeonium lily pad, losing its characteristic clustering. In contrast, with adequate sunlight, the edges of the leaves will turn red due to the sunlight stress, enhancing the overall beauty of the bouquet.
This succulent plant is ideal for placement near front door stairs or on a higher table in the garden. During hot summer, it's advisable to move Rosularia platyphylla away from direct sunlight at noon or back indoors near a window. In winter, when natural light may be scarce, succulent enthusiasts with the right setup can use supplemental grow lights to maintain their compact rosette shape. However, if you don't prioritize the plant's shape, using grow lights isn't necessary, as Rosularia platyphylla is quite resilient. In fact, it will produce many new side buds come spring, demonstrating its robust vitality.
You may wonder: How to Care for Succulents with Artificial Lights?
Temperature
Rosularia platyphylla is a not cold-hardy species suitable for USDA zones 5 to 10. It can withstand short periods of frost down to 2℃ and high temperatures up to 35℃ (95℉). When temperatures drop to 5℃ (41℉), it is advisable to move Rosularia platyphylla to a greenhouse or indoors. Alternatively, you can cover the entire flower pot with non-woven fabric or plastic cloth. Be sure to create a few small holes to allow for ventilation while still helping to retain warmth.
Fertilizer
Similar to other succulents, Rosularia platyphylla requires minimal fertilization. It is advisable to apply a small amount of slow-release fertilizer during the spring and autumn months, as this is adequate to maintain the vibrancy of the succulents for an entire year.
Pests Issue
Rosularia platyphylla is generally resistant to pests. However, during hot and humid summers, small black insects may appear. To prevent this issue, ensure good ventilation around the plant. If you notice small black flies, start by rinsing the affected area with water. After that, spray the plant with 70% alcohol for a week, which is typically effective in resolving the issue.
Propagation
Rosularia platyphylla can be successfully propagated through the side buds or leaves; however, side buds propagation is recommended as the most effective and convenient method. This process can be carried out throughout the year, with spring and autumn being the optimal seasons for propagation.
To start, disinfect your scissors or blade using alcohol on cotton pads. If your Rosularia platyphylla is overcrowded, you can use a fishing line to help separate the side buds. Once you have cut the side buds, place them upside down on a clean tray and allow them to dry and heal for 2-3 days.
Next, prepare a flower pot with drainage holes and fill it with succulent rooting soil. Based on my experience in propagating succulents, I recommend using a mix of garden soil, perlite, and vermiculite in a ratio of 5:4:1. This specific blend promotes the rapid development of new roots in the succulents.
Conclusion
Rosularia platyphylla is a captivating variety of Rosularia succulents. It's an ideal option for both container gardening, which can be admired up close, and in-ground planting, where it gracefully complements other landscape features. Its remarkable adaptability allows it to thrive in diverse gardening settings, from sunny patios to rock gardens. The combination of its stunning visuals and outstanding resilience makes Rosularia platyphylla a prized addition to any garden, inviting admiration and enhancing the overall beauty of your outdoor space.
