The Trachyandra plant is very unique as there is no other plant quite like it. This plant is a rare succulent that looks stunning as it has green ribbon-like leaves which grow in coils.
This interesting plant can grow up to ten inches tall. It originates in South Africa and can be grown as a houseplant. The foliage is fairy-like and will make a great addition to any succulent collection.
The Trachyandra is a perennial and is part of the Asphodelaceae family of succulents. Let’s look at how to grow and care for a Trachyandra plant.
What is a Trachyandra Plant?
The Trachyandra commonly grows in the wild in the Eastern and Southern regions of Africa. It’s also found in Yemen and Madagascar. There are various species of Trachyandra, some of which have smooth leaves while others are hairy. The plants are generally relatively small and have a shrub-like growing habit, often spreading sideways rather than getting very tall. The Trachyandra flowers during the late winter and early spring with delicate star-shaped blooms. Each flower is pale pink and has a very short life of just a single day.
The Trachyandra plant has between four and eight ribbon-like leaves, which are greyish-green in color. They have a unique growth pattern and are curled or spiraled. A mature plant can have leaves that are 6 to 10 inches in length.
During the summer month, the Trachyandra plant will go into dormancy. Your plant may lose its leaves and will slow down its growth. When your plant is dormant, it will require less water. Providing water twice a month is adequate, and you can allow the soil to dry out. After dormancy, the plant will flourish and put on new growth in the fall.
Trachyandra Care
The Trachyandra an exotic plant with some care requirements, but if you get this right, the plant will thrive and last for decades. Let’s look at how to care for the Trachyandra succulent:
Watering
The Trachyandra plant can be watered using a ‘soak and dry method‘. All you need to do is generously water the plant and then let it dry out completely before watering the plant again. During the plants growing season, which is from the early fall to the late spring, you can provide extra water. In general, the Trachyandra needs to be watered about once a week during the growing season.
When your plant goes dormant in the summer, you can reduce watering to once every fortnight. Be careful not to over-water your plant as this can cause its leaves to turn yellow, and the plant could eventually die.
Sunlight and Temperature
Trachyandra plants love lots of bright indirect sunlight and do well on a window sill. Getting sunlight for six hours a day is essential to this plant’s growth. Ensure that your plant isn’t left in direct sunlight, or the leaves may burn.
Trachyandra plants are best grown at a temperature of between 41 to 59 °F. These plants don’t like to get too hot and can’t cope with extremes in temperatures.
Humidity
The Trachyandra succulent doesn’t like high humidity as it can cause the plant to suffer from fungal infections or root rot. A moisture level of less than 50% is perfect for this plant.
Soil and Repotting
The Trachyandra plant thrives in soil that has good drainage and is well aerated. Add some gravel or stones to the bottom of the pot when repotting, as this will allow excess water to drain away. You can also add a little perlite or peat moss to help ventilate the soil.
Repot the Trachyandra only occasionally as it’s a slow grower and likes to be root bound. When repotting, chooses a succulent potting mix and or houseplant soil and add some sand or perlite.
Propagation
The Trachyandra is a very rare succulent that is often hard to source. It can be expensive, so if you have a plant, you may like to propagate to give to friends or sell. There are two ways to propagate the Trachyandra succulent, either by growing the seeds or using a leaf cutting. It’s best to propagate the Trachyandra during the growing season from early fall to early spring.
Growing from Seed
Growing a plant from seed can take a long time as germination can be slow. You’ll also have to wait for about a year for the plant to grow into a nice-looking houseplant. When growing the Trachyandra from seed, use a good quality succulent soil mix and sprinkle the seeds on top. You can then cover the seeds with 1/3 inch of soil. Cover the pot with a plastic bag to help with humidity and temperature.
Leave the seeds in indirect sunlight on a windowsill and water regularly. You can also give the young seedlings liquid fertilizer once a week, only use a very small amount, and ensure the fertilizer is well diluted. Once the young seedlings are about five inches tall, you can repot them into individual pots.
Growing from a Leaf Cutting
Many people find it easier to propagate a Trachyandra plant by using a leaf cutting. Using a sharp, sterilized knife or pair of scissors, you can carefully cut a leaf off your plant. Be very careful not to twist the leaf or cause damage to a curled leaf. Then leave the leaf to dry out for about four or five days until you notice that a callus has formed over the cut.
You can then plant the cutting by pushing it into soil that’s moist yet well-draining. Water your cutting, then allow it to dry out completely before watering again. Your leaf cutting will take root and will quickly establish itself as a new plant.
Conclusion
Trachyandra is a very rare, beautiful, and unique succulent that can be grown indoors. They have an underground bulb and grow green ribbon-like leaves. These are curly, giving the plant its unique noodle-like appearance.
These succulents can be grown on a windowsill as they like bright indirect sunlight and require adequate ventilation and watering.