Caralluma Melanacantha is often known as “the plant with black flowers”. The plant originates in South Africa and belongs to the family of Apocynaceae. This winter-dormant agave plant can grow up to 12 inches in height.
Growth Rate
While the succulent is a slow grower, it is one of those plants that are easy to grow and requires minimal maintenance to thrive both indoors and outdoors.
Flowering
Caralluma Melanacantha grows an interesting set of blackish or dark purple colored flowers during the summer and autumn seasons.
Watering and Feeding
Caralluma Melanacantha enjoys moderate watering during the growing season but requires plenty of watering during the summers, especially on the hottest days of the year. To help them flower freely, feed them with some liquid fertilizer in the summer.
Soil
You can either use a cactus mix or add extra perlite/pumice to a regular potting soil mix. Since the roots of the succulent are very shallow, free draining and gritty soil are ideal.
Light
Caralluma Melanacantha requires full and direct sunlight in abundance. If growing indoors, place them one foot away from the window so that they receive enough sunlight for growth.
Propagation
Propagate through stem cutting. Make sure you allow the cutting to dry for a day and then lay it on a gritty compost. Another method for propagation is by sowing seeds.
If you are looking to gift a houseplant or to grow one on your own, Caralluma Melanacantha is a perfect choice. The succulent is also known to improve the overall aura of the environment they are placed and grown.
Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz
