Are you looking for a low-growing and beautifully colored succulent? Anacampseros rufescens is native to South Africa and suitable for both indoor and outdoor decoration. The leaves of these small rosettes are shaded green on the upper side with a beautiful purple shade beneath. Inadequate light, the foliage adds to its beauty by getting shades of green, pink, and yellow on maturity.
You can also see variations in the foliage color patterns among the species. This perennial plant forms dense mats and makes beautiful succulent gardens, window sills, and shelf pots. Let us know more about the colorful Rufescens Succulent, along with its care and propagation.
Anacampseros Rufescens Classification
Family: Anacampserotaceae.
Genus: Anacampseros.
Genus: A. rufescens.
Family Anacampserotaceae
The family has officially proposed almost a decade ago, in the February issue of Taxon journal, 2010. However, it was described by Urs Eggli and Reto Nyffeler. It comprises 36 species and three genera, the Grahamia, Talinopsis, and Anacampseros.
Genus Anacampseros
This is a genus of small-sized, perennial, succulent plants. More than 100 species belong to this genus, native to South Africa. The word ‘Anacampseros’ refers to the ancient name of special herbs. These plants are commonly under-shrubs or sprawling herbs capable of forming dense mats. The succulent leaves grow alternate and compact. Moreover, the shape is round or lanceolate. These herbs are mythically connected with the restoration of lost love. Moreover, the members of this genus have used it in medicine, beer making, hydrolysis, narcotics, and charm-making.
Anacampseros Rufescens Common Names
- Sand Rose.
- Sunrise Succulent.
- Anacampseros rufescens sunrise.
Features of The Anacampseros Rufescens Plant
Height and Structure
- An average plant may grow to 4 to 6inches tall and 24 inches wide.
- It grows by forming offsets and spreads gradually by forming a thick, caudex-like base. Tiny roots originate and hold the plant body in the soil.
Leaves
- The leaves are around 0.75 inches long, 0.5 inches wide, and spatulate.
- The plant body is covered with tiny white filamentous hairs.
Anacampseros Rufescens Flower
- Numerous, prominent pink or purple flowers grow on a stalk-like inflorescence.
- Each flower is around 2 inches in size, having about 5 petals. Moreover, yellowish pollen is visible in the centre.
- The plant usually blooms at maturity.
Toxicity
Well, the toxicity of the A. rufescens is yet not clear. It is better to be on the safe side and follow precautionary measures. Thus, don’t let your kids and pets mingle with this succulent.
Anacampseros Rufescens Variegata
This is a variegated form of the Rufescens plant. This native of Cape Town is interestingly known as the ‘Rainbow Sand Rose’. The tiny 3 to 4 inches( 7.5cm) star-shaped rosette is nothing lesser than an eye candy. The leaves are green from the top. Bright light makes them get different shades of yellow, purple, and pink. The requirements and propagation of the Anacampseros rufescens Variegata are similar to that of the parent plant.
Anacampseros Rufescens Care
Water Requirements
The water requirement of the plant is medium to low. Just water the plant once the soil gets semi-dry in summer and spring. On these warm days, a watering frequency of once or twice a week is enough. Howbeit, let the soil get completely dry in winter. Once in two weeks seems enough in these days of dormancy.
The Anacampseros plants hate to stay in wet soil. Thus, avoid over-watering, as they are prone to rot.
Sunlight Requirement
The plant shows beautiful colored foliage in the presence of bright light. Partial bright sun to partial shade is optimum for the Anacampseros rufescens sunrise plant. If you are keeping them indoors, make sure to select the brightest spot in the house. East facing window is the top priority. Moreover, West and South facing windows are also suitable as the second option. A minimum of 4 hours of bright light is essential for healthy foliage. However, in the absence of natural light, you can keep the plant around a fluorescent bulb to fulfil its requirements.
Outdoors, just select the place with plenty of bright, partial light. They can tolerate full sun but need to get used to it gradually. Are you planning to keep them in the full(indirect) sun to see the color potential? You can start by putting them for a few hours in the morning sun and increase gradually. Importantly, don’t extend more than 4 hours and don’t let them in the intense sun on hotter days. Moreover, keep an eye on the plant to keep it safe from scorching by the bright sun. To be on the safe side, it is best to avoid direct sunlight exposure.
Light requirement and resistance of baby plants are usually lesser. Thus, avoid placing them in intense light.
Leggy and elongated foliage is called etiolation. Etiolation and pale foliage are the possible symptoms of inadequate light and resulting in poor nutrition. The plant body actually stretches out as a natural mechanism to get the required light. If the situation persists, the plant will eventually get weak and growth will be stunned.
Soil Requirements
Rufescens plants prefer well-drained, gritty soil with plenty of aeration. You can prepare a DIY mixture by mixing cactus potting mix with perlite in 2:1. In areas with higher humidity, 1:1 would be a better proportion to maximize the drainage. Another option is a mixture of cactus mix or potting soil with sand in 2:1. Moreover, you can also try equal quantities of the cactus mix, perlite, and coarse sand.
Temperature Requirements
The optimum temperature range for Anacampseros plants is 70 to 80 °F(21 to 26 °C). These plants can bear a little frost, around 30 °F (-2 °C). Howbeit, in cooler zones, it is better to pot them in containers. So, on colder days, you can easily transfer them to warmer spots.
Humidity Requirement
These plants go well long the average humidity of the growing zone.
Fertilizer Requirement
These plants would like some fertilizer in the growing season. You can use a suitable houseplant fertilizer or a balanced fertilizer in a mild form. Avoid fertilizing the plant after the start of the fall.
Re-Potting Requirements
Consider repotting the offsets only if you see the plant growing out of the pot.
Growth Zone
They belong to the USDA zone 9a to 11.
Anacampseros Rufescens Propagation
You would definitely love to have some more Sand Roses for decoration and gifting. Wouldn’t you?
Propagation from offsets or puppies is the easiest and quickest method to get new Rufescens Succulent plants. You can also try propagating from stem-cuttings. However, it is a time-taking process and more suitable for the patient ones.
Propagation From Offsets
- Find some well-developed offsets in the parent plant. Gently, take a healthy parent plant out from the soil.
- Now take a sharp knife and separate out the pups from the parent. It would be great if you cut some roots with the offset. It will enhance growth.
- You can also cut the pup from the parent without taking it out from the soil. Just slide the knife or blade down the soil and carefully cut the connecting roots. Now dig a small hole around the pup and gently take it out from the soil.
- Firm the soil back, to avoid disturbing the parent.
- Place the pup at a dry place for a day. This will heal any cut or wound in the roots by forming the callus.
- Finally, plant the pup in a moist suitable growing medium. You can also slightly dip the roots of the pup in some growing medium to enhance the growth.
- Keep the pot in a warm place with mild indirect sunlight and water mildly.
- Mist the soil lightly twice or thrice a week or when the soil gets dry.
- The plant will get established in a month. At this stage, you can start deep watering and reduce the frequency.
Just keep them away from direct sunlight and follow the usual Anacampseros rufescens Care.
Here, your new Sunrise plants are ready!
Anacampseros Rufescens for Sale
You can easily get the colorful rosettes at your home. Just click on the link below and Amazon will deliver a happy and healthy plant to your doorstep.
Moreover, you can also get the seeds of the Anacampseros rufescens Variegata. So, what are you waiting for!
Summary
Anacampseros rufescens is a low-growing succulent popular for its beautiful foliage. The small succulent leaves are green from the upper surface and purple beneath. The beautiful shades of pink and green on the leaves depending upon the light intensity are an addition to the beauty.
The plant is pretty easy to care for. Basic requirements include bright indirect light and water on the dry soil. Moreover, you can use the Rufescens plant for both indoor and outdoor plant ornamentation.
