Ceraria namaquensis grow and care – succulent shrub of the genus Ceraria also known as Portulacaria namaquensis or Namaqua porkbush, Ceraria namaquensis perennial summer deciduous plant, used as ornamental plant and it’s drought tolerant, can grow in desert, mediterranean, subtropical climate and growing in hardiness zone 10-12.
Leaves color green, leaves small fleshy in bottle shape.
What is the best way to start growing? Plant / Seed / Vegetative reproduction – propagation by cutting leaves or stem, for propagate by stem and leaves do in the same way, cut the leaf in the base better with hand not anything sharp and wait at least 24 hours, if it’s not cut in the base, cut by sharp object or it is stem need wait few days until the tissue will hill, after this put it in well-drained soil, and water it every few days let in dry but not fully dry, after few weeks to month it start to grow root, propagation season – better to start in the late spring to early summer but always can do it indoor (depend the temperature in the house).
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction? No, but much faster than to grow from seeds
Difficulties or problems when growing: Thorns
Planting season: Spring to autumn, hardiness zone 10a better in spring to summer, hardiness zone 10b-11 spring to autumn
Pests and diseases: Slugs
Pruning season: Summer
How to prune: Just for design and dead parts
Size of the plant: 0.5-1.5m, 20-60 inches
Growth speed in optimal condition: Slow growing
Water requirement: Small amount of water, doesn’t like much water and overwatering will kill the plant
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full sun / Half shade
Is it possible to grow as houseplant? No
Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers: Yes, container or clay pot that will be 20-50% bigger (not need deep because the root shallow) for good drainage that important use in the bottom of the container with little rocks like: gravel, lava rocks or pebbles, soil should be cactus potting mix, make holes in the container for good drainage, switch the soil after few years – removing the plant from their pots, take paper and put slowly the plant on the paper, possible to “help” the plant with the hands better to cover with papers or plastic wrap, after that prepare again the “little rocks” in the bottom, put part of the plant potting mix, take the plant with and locate it in the new place, if it’s small take the soil mix with spoon and organize it (not to get the spines in hands) if it’s bigger use small garden shovel and squeeze the soil that the plant will be stable and won’t fall, sometimes when it’s not stable better to add some stick that will hold the plant.
Blooming information
Bloom season? Summer
General information about the flower: Pink flowers in round shape, the flowers grow next to each leaves
How to grow from seeds
Sow in in full sun, better sandy soil or well ventilated soil like cactus potting mix and good drainage is important
Saving seeds and care until sowing: Dry and dark place in room temperature
Sowing season: spring but possible in autumn and winter in hot climate, in summer put it in full shade, in hardiness zone 10a spring to summer, hardiness zone 10b spring to autumn, hardiness zone 11 all year
Planting spacing: 20-30cm, (8-12 inches)
Depth of Sowing: 0.5cm, (0.25inches)
Conditions for seeds germinate: Moist soil but do not over water and don’t let it dry
Watering requires for Seeds: Small amount of water / Average amount of water, keep the soil lightly moist and do not overwater and don’t let it fully dry
Germination time: 2-4 weeks
Condition of seedling: Light with moist soil and well ventilated soil
