A perennial plant like piarantus (Piaranthus) belongs to the Asclepiadaceae family. It comes from the desert regions of Southwest and South Africa.
Such a plant is a succulent and has creeping shoots, which include short four- or pentahedral segments, reaching from 3 to 5 centimeters in length and 1–1.5 centimeters in width. They are painted in a brownish-green or green color shade, while on each of the faces there are 4 or 5 pointed teeth. Small flowers are located at the top of the stems, the corolla is rounded, the tube is flat or bell-shaped. Star-shaped, five-lobed, the petals have a triangular-pointed shape. Flowers can be painted in different color shades, and there are specks on the surface.
Caring for piarantus at home
Illumination
Needs bright, but diffused lighting. In winter and autumn, it can be exposed to direct sunlight, and in summer, the plant must be shaded from them to prevent burns on the foliage.
Temperature regime
In spring and summer, piarantus needs warmth (from 22 to 26 degrees). The temperature should be lowered in autumn. In winter, there is a dormant period. At this time, the succulent needs a coolness of 14 to 16 degrees. Make sure that the room where the plant is located is not colder than 12 degrees.
Humidity
They feel fine at low air humidity. It is not necessary to moisten from the sprayer.
How to water
In the spring and summer, watering should be moderate. Watering is necessary after the top layer of the substrate dries out. With the onset of the autumn period, watering the piarantus should be less. In winter, watering should be sparse, but the earthen lump should not dry out completely (because of this, the shoots begin to wrinkle). The cooler the wintering, the less often watering.
Top dressing
Top dressing is carried out from March to August 2 times a month. For this, fertilizer for succulents and cacti is suitable.
Transplant features
The transplant is carried out in the spring. Young specimens need to be transplanted every year, and adults - once every 2 or 3 years. To prepare a soil mixture, combine 1 part of coarse sand with 2 parts of sod land. Purchased soil for succulents and cacti is also suitable.A suitable container should be low. A good drainage layer should be made at the bottom.
Reproduction methods
It can be propagated by dividing the bush, cuttings and seeds.
Cuttings should be cut from old stems. They are dried for 5-7 days at normal room temperature. After that, they need to be planted in a substrate consisting of coarse sand with the addition of a small amount of peat chips. The stalk will give roots after a little time. Then it is transplanted into a small (7–8 centimeters in diameter) pot.
When grown at home, seed setting is quite easy, and they mature for about 12 months. Sowing is carried out in a low, small container filled with sandy light soil. If the seeds are fresh, the first shoots will appear in 3 or 4 weeks. After picking, the plant is planted in pots, the height of which should be 6 centimeters. After 12 months, piarantuses are poured into pots 8-10 centimeters
Main types
Horned piarantus (Piaranthus cornutus)
This succulent is a perennial. Rounded in cross-section, creeping shoots are painted in greenish-gray color, they have ribs or obtuse corners, with 3-5 tubercles located. On the top of the stems there are flowers that have a white or light yellow color. On their surface, there are many strokes that have a raspberry, purple or brown color, and the middle is painted yellow.
Stinking piarantus (Piaranthus foetidus)
It is a perennial succulent. Its pale green stems can be slightly rough or smooth, rising or creeping. Their length varies from 2 to 5 centimeters, and their width is 1 centimeter. Shoots are divided into squat short segments, having a club-shaped or cylindrical shape and obtuse ribs, each of which has from 2 to 4 small teeth. The stellate, five-lobed flowers have a velvety surface. The fleshy petals are ivory colored, and the surface has brownish red dots or transverse stripes. Not a very pleasant smell comes from the flowers.
Frames' piaranthus (Piaranthus framesii)
This perennial succulent has four or pentahedral shoots of light red or greenish-blue color, which are 5 to 7 centimeters long and 1–1.5 centimeters wide, with denticles on the ribs. The stellate, five-lobed flowers are white and have reddish dots.
Round piarantus (Piaranthus globosus)
This succulent is a perennial. Its bare shoots can be raised or creeping, they have a rounded shape, and the edges are poorly visible. Their length is 2 centimeters, and their width is 1 centimeter, on each face there are 2–4 small teeth, painted in a pale green color, and the top is light red. There are 1 or 2 flowers in the upper part of the stem. The corolla has a rounded shape. The lanceolate-ovate petals are strongly spread out, and their tops are pointed, painted yellowish-green, and there are lilac or red spots on the surface.
Pale piarantus (Piaranthus pallidus)
Such a succulent is a perennial. Its pale green, rounded shoots are creeping and have flattened tubercles. The five-lobed, star-shaped flowers have a velvety creamy yellow surface, and the center is painted in a rich yellow color.
Piaranthus pillansii
This perennial succulent has pale green shoots with a reddish tint, which can be raised or creeping. In length they reach from 3 to 4 centimeters, and in width - 1–1.5 centimeters. The edges are blunt. The stellate flowers are five-lobed. The diameter of the rounded corolla is 3 centimeters, and it is cut to the base by several lobes. Narrow-lanceolate petals have slightly curved edges, and they are painted in a pale green or pale yellow color.
