Author: Bradley Shepherd

Monilaria obconica, more commonly known as monilaria moniliformis, monilaria moniliforme, rabbit succulent, or bunny succulents, are popular houseplants because of their unique appearance and ease of care. The cute and small bunny succulents make excellent beginner plants because they are easy to grow, needing only minimal care and maintenance. They can be kept in pretty much any environment as long as they have the right type of soil, water, and sunlight. You may have seen these cute little succulents floating around the Internet and wondered what they were, or you have a friend who has been asking you about them. The species of plant known as…

Portulacaria afra, also known as an elephant food plant, succulent elephant bush plant, dwarf Jade, porkbush, bonsai jade, purslane tree, and spekboom in Afrikaans, is a succulent shrub that can grow up to 2 feet tall and make an excellent houseplant or patio plant depending on your climate zone. This plant requires minimal attention but there are some things you can do to help it thrive and even outgrow its dwarf status. The Elephant bush plant is also an evergreen succulent that thrives in the subtropical climates of Southern Africa. It can be found growing naturally on rocky outcrops in semi-arid areas where annual…

A mammillaria bocasana, or powder puff cactus, looks almost exactly like the flower it’s named after. In fact, many people who see one of these unusual plants never realize it’s actually an incredible little plant in its own right! The plant only grows to around six inches in height and the beautiful white, powdery fuzz makes it look like a small bouquet of flowers. A Mammillaria bocasana is generally fairly slow-growing and requires very little maintenance, making it one of the most desirable plants to have around the home or office. Mammillaria bocasana can be an attractive addition to your desert garden, despite its less-than-desirable…

Also known as the Thicket Gasteria or Thicket ox-tongue, the Gasteria excelsa has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to its interesting appearance and ease of care. This succulent plant makes an attractive addition to any indoor space, but it requires some care to keep its lovely green color. While gasteria excelsa may be native to South Africa and Namibia, you can grow it in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9b through 11, where the plants will be evergreen and produce smaller leaves than those grown in their native habitat. The plant prefers tropical climates, full sun to partial shade with plenty…

Crassula arborescens undulatifolia, also known as Ripple Jade, is a succulent shrub that originates from South Africa, where it grows mainly in rocky areas and mountainsides. When the plant flowers, it puts on one of the most beautiful displays in the plant world, with its wide range of colors and delicate flower petals. The name arborescens means tree-like, referring to its compact but sturdy growth habit and tall trunk-like stems. This plant was named by Carolus Linnaeus in 1753, and its common name comes from the ripple pattern of its leaves when they are viewed from above. With its bright green leaves,…