Aloinopsis schooneesii

Origin: Eastern Cape, South Africa

Aloinopsis schooneesii, commonly known as the Living Stone or Schoonees' Aloinopsis has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's (RHS) Award of Garden Merit. This prestigious award marks it as a highly reliable and outstanding performer under appropriate cultivation conditions.

Its a dwarf clustering succulent known from semi-arid areas and it develops a thickened root to aid in survival during prolonged droughts.

Plant Size: Well established seed-grown, grown in a 7 cm pot is offered. The photo is of the plant for sale.

About Mesembs

The mesembs  are members of the Mesembryanthemaceae (Aizoaceae) is a very large family with about 123 genera and about 1600-1800 known species. The main distribution for the family is in southern Africa with species extending into east Africa, Arabian peninsula, Madagascar, Australia, and New Zealand.  Mesembs are widely-spread and is found in all 9 provinces of South Africa. The plants occupy a wide range of habitats. From dry rocky areas, to high rainfall grass-veld. 

Caring for your Fenestraria

• Pot: Most highly succulent Mesembs are best suited to cultivation in pots. Various Mesembs planted together and using colourful gravel and rocks together in a bowl, makes a beautiful miniature rock garden.

• Soil: The plants prefer a very well-drained growing medium, yet a finer sandier mix is perfect.

• Light: Almost all Mesembs are found growing in very sunny positions. Given too little light the plants will easily stretch and start growing abnormally.

• Water: Most Mesembs are very drought hardy and care should be given to not over-water your plants. Rather too little than too much is my rule. Watering every week or second week is more than efficient, depending on the growing conditions and environment.