Duvalia caespitosa ssp. caespitosa

🌵 Duvalia caespitosa subsp. caespitosa Care

Duvalia caespitosa subsp. caespitosa, commonly known as Hotnotstoontjie, is a small, clump-forming South African stapeliad. It develops densely branched, creeping stems that are cylindrical, fleshy and covered with small, tooth-like projections.

Its most striking feature is its unusual star-shaped flowers, which are typically glossy maroon or deep reddish-brown. It naturally grows in dry Karoo and semi-Karoo habitats, often among gravel, rocks and beneath low-growing shrubs.

🌱 Growing & Care

☀️ Light

• Prefers bright light and partial sunlight.

• Provide gentle morning sun and some protection from intense afternoon sunlight.

• Can tolerate more direct sunlight when gradually acclimatised.

• Adequate light encourages compact stems and flowering.

💧 Watering

• Water moderately during active growth.

• Allow the growing medium to dry out between waterings.

• It appreciates regular moisture during warm growing periods but should never remain waterlogged.

• Reduce watering during cooler months.

• Avoid keeping the plant wet in cold weather, as the stems are susceptible to rot.

🪴 Soil

• Requires a loose, gritty and exceptionally well-draining growing medium.

• Use a cactus and succulent mix with added pumice, perlite or coarse grit.

• Shallow pots work well because the plant has relatively shallow roots.

• Terracotta pots can help the growing medium dry more quickly.

🌡️ Temperature

• Prefers warm growing conditions.

• Protect from frost and prolonged cold.

• It can tolerate brief temperatures close to 5°C if kept completely dry, but warmer conditions are preferable.

🌸 Flowering

• Produces distinctive, five-pointed star-shaped flowers.

• Flowers are glossy maroon to deep reddish-brown and are carried on reddish flower stalks.

• Flowering is generally associated with the warmer growing period.

• Good light and suitable seasonal watering encourage flowering.

🌿 Feeding

• Feed lightly with a diluted succulent fertiliser during active growth.

• Choose a low-nitrogen fertiliser to avoid excessive, weak stem growth.

• Avoid fertilising during the cooler resting period.

🌱 Propagation

• Easily propagated from stem cuttings.

• Allow cut surfaces to dry and callus before planting.

• Lay the stems on top of a gritty growing medium rather than burying them.

• Keep warm and allow roots to develop before increasing watering.

• Can also be grown from seed.

🌵 Boho Blooms Growing Tip

Duvalia caespitosa subsp. caespitosa is well suited to a shallow succulent container where its stems can spread and form an attractive clump. Give it plenty of bright light, excellent drainage and careful watering. One of the most important things to remember is to keep the plant relatively dry during cold weather to prevent stem rot.

Interesting botanical fact: The species is native to South Africa and is recorded in the Northern Cape, Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Free State.

Plants on offer: ±3 stems 3-5cm rooted. Shipped without pot or soil. May or may not currently have flowers/buds.

Have a look at our care sheet to find out how you can care for your stapeliads!