I'm a small and compact plant, native to dry desert regions of Central and South America. This gives you a clue about what conditions I prefer ... warm, dry, and sunny (you guessed that already, didn't you?)
Succulents
I form a rosette clump quite low to the soil and my flowers are borne on arching stems 5cm to 10cm long. If I'm left outside from November you can expect me to die from the cold and wet - soooo, make sure you bring me inside well before then!
I'm originally from the rugged dry areas of the American continent, and I love full sun, and well-drained soil. If I'm inside I like a bright spot with not much water especially over the winter months.
Try to replicate the baking hot dry weather from my native home. Let me dry out completely then give me a good thorough soaking, but don't leave me standing in a wet soggy bog. If I'm outside in a typical British summer, you won't need to water me at all. If I'm inside let me dry out completely then give me an occasional drink and perhaps a light misting if you really want to pamper me.
I'm not harmful to children or animals.
Some things are perfect during the British winter. A crackling log fire in your local pub. A woolly scarf wrapped round your ears. Hunkering down with hot chocolate and a good book. But not me! It's not that I hate winter, I'm quite happy to be nice and snug inside between November and late April! But there's no way I'll survive a cold wet frosty spell outside.
Each year I absorb up to 50 g of CO2
That's about enough to:
- Fill 1 golf ball
- Drive a car for 1/4 of a mile
- Make 1 small cup of tea
*rough estimate using data sourced from: haskins.co.uk