Mesembs with pairs of smooth egg-shaped silver-green leaves to 1/2″
Cactus and Succulents - Part Shade
Argyroderma testiculare
Mesembs with pairs of glaucus green leaves to 1/2″
Astroloba foliosa
2″ rosettes grow to 12″h.; pups at base; light-shade, protect from frost
Astroloba herrei
2″ rosettes grow to 12″-18″h.; pups at base; shade tolerant
Austrocylindropuntia subulata
Opuntia subulata
Andean tree cholla gets 12 feet tall in habitat but can reach 25 feet in Bay Area, tubular leaves, long spines. Creates a very effective living fence. The fruit often drop and root in place.
Begonia carolinifolia
Subtropical tuberous succulent, forms caudex; rich soil, regular water
Begonia dregei
Easy to grow natural bonsai with small succulent caudex.
Begonia rex hybrids
Rex Begonias come in a wide range of cultivated varieties, with vibrant multi-colored leaves in all sizes.
They’re a low light tropical houseplant with underground succulent rhizomes that need to be kept relatively dry. And yet the leaves need moisture – a puzzle indeed. But not too difficult to solve. Follow along.
Soil: They need a fast-draining soil that will dry out fully between waterings. A high quality houseplant mix will work – but be wary of lower quality mixes because they hold too much moisture. An orchid blend is even better. If you use a cactus or succulent blend, we recommend adding coir chips or a little bark mulch to the mix, or even some vermiculite.
Light: For the best vibrant colors, we recommend bright indirect light only. If they’re going to get some direct sun, make sure it’s no more than 1 to 2 hours of morning sun, and not too close to the window or the plant can burn.
Watering: Here’s what we’ve discovered as the key to successful rex begonias in the Bay Area with wet winters and dry summers. It all depends on the temperature in your home through the year.
Below 60° – The plant is going to go semi-dormant, so reduce watering to every 2 weeks and let some of the leaves fall off for winter.
60’s – Water once per week, letting the soil dry out completely, and don’t mist.
70s – Water weekly, and mist the leaves occasionally with a very fine spray.
80s – Water weekly, and mist the leaves 2 to 3 times per week with a very fine spray.
90° and above – Water twice weekly, mist the leaves every other day or place on rocks in a saucer filled with water to increase the ambient humidity. Don’t let the pot sit directly in the water.
Watering Note: Always let the roots dry out between watering and never let the pot sit in water.
Misting Note: When misting rex begonias always use a very fine mist and never let water droplets collect on the leaves.
If you live elsewhere your results will vary, depending on your temperatures and especially your humidity.
Billbergia “Blondie”
Terrestrial bromeliad to 10″t. w/arcing yellow and green leaves
Billbergia “Hallelujah”
Terrestrial bromeliad to 1 to 2 feet tall with very strongly variegated/spotted leaves. Glossy foliage, upright form, multicolored blooms. Grows quickly if not too wet.
Billbergia “Las Manchas”
Terrestrial bromeliad with compact base to 10″ high. Upright form. Multicolored blooms. Sharp edges with marginal teeth.
Billbergia elegans
Terrestrial bromeliad to 1 to 2 feet tall with subtle variegated pastel-colored leaves. Upright form. Multicolored blooms. Sharp edges with marginal teeth.
Billbergia nutans
Terrestrial bromeliad to 12″t. w/pendulous blooms
Bowiea volubilis
Bulbs spherical to 10″, long twining vines, sm. greenish blooms
Bulbine frutescens
Clump-forming shrubby rosettes, w/small yellow or orange blooms
Bulbine latifolia
Clump-forming shrubby rosettes, w/yellow blooms attractive to hummingbirds
Bulbine natalensis
Bulbinella robusta
Grassy w/tall pyramidal bloom-stalks, yellow blooms
Bursera simplicifolia
Slow growing shrub, natural bonsai; rare; caudex with peeling bark. Can get to 10 feet tall.
Caralluma luntii
Sprawling stems, spider-like carrion flowers. Yemen.
Cephalopentandra ecirrhosa
Caudex develops “pimples,” or fissures, as it ages. In the Cucurbitaceae family, forms wild-growing vines with large lobed green leaves and large yellow-green squash-blossom flowers.
Ceraria pygmaea
Portulacaria pygmaea
Natural bonsai shrub succulent, to 8″h., with small thick green leaves. Stems can get 4″ thick.
Cereus peruvianus
C. repandus
30ft. Branch from base, segmented stems; bright red fruit
Cereus uruguayanus
C. hildmannianus ssp. uruguayanus
Tall, columnar, branching cactus with large summer night-blooms
Cereus validus
Blue stems, wide and branchy to 7 ft. tall
Ceropegia “Orange River”
C. woodii “Orange River”
Vines to 2ft, large heart-shaped succulent leaves; Keep dry in winter
Ceropegia woodii
Vines to 2ft, heart-shaped succulent leaves; Moist in summer, dry in winter
Ceropegia woodii “Variegata”
Vines to 2ft, heart-shaped succulent leaves; Moist in summer, dry in winter
Cheiridopsis candidissima
Pairs of 4″ leaves w/papery sheaths when new. Winter growing.
Cheiridopsis denticulata
Dwarf shrublet with paired leaves in the Iceplant family. Tiny little teeth-like protrusions on the tips of the leaves. Variable flower colors from pale-peach to bright yellow. May also be the same species as Cheiridopsis candidissima.