Baby Sunrose

Baby Sunrose (Aptenia cordifolia) Description The Baby Sunrose, Aptenia cordifolia, is a speedy succulent ground cover with little heart-shaped, succulent green leaves and pretty bright pink to magenta flowers. It’s also known as Heartleaf Ice Plant because of the shape of the leaf and their watery, slightly glossy appearance. This trailing low growing native South African will happily live in warmth and can take a bit of neglect with watering once it is established. The daisy-like flowers open in bright sunshine and shut in the evening or when there is no sunshine, so there can be quite a show of pink and purple one minute, and none the next. This Baby Sunrose is a suitable plant wherever a trailing colourful succulent might be required – from hanging baskets or window boxes to simply cascading over a balcony edge. It will also naturally cover any gaps as a garden plant on a sunny bed over time. More sun means more colour, so the bright balcony, or even an outdoor planting site getting a chunk of the day sun, will deliver the most impressive hues. Because it’s quite resilient it could also be a sensible first succulent. The plant arrives either bare rooted or in a pot, complete with a fast-drying succulent compost, so all you need to do is put it straight in the sun. It’s valued for both the foliage and the bloom, and can provide a good trailing plant for a balcony garden, window box or windowsill where the plant can do its bit for colourful displays without too much input. Key features Small heart shaped slightly leathery leaves in dark green, slightly shimmery. Bright pink, then magenta daisy flowers in the sun from spring until late summer. Fast growing trailer perfectly suited for hanging baskets window boxes and as a ground cover Coping drought tolerant, can withstand the occasional missed drink. Very little maintenance on a daily basis once established in its sunny spot and the appropriate watering routine is adopted. Easily grows from cuttings to expand your collection in the long run Makes a perfect gift for a budding gardener looking for a bright, low-maintenance, flowering succulent Care at a glance Sunlight More sun = lots more flowers. Mostly full sun all day. Watering Water the well after the soil is dry to the touch. Tolerant of drought and missed waterings, but doesn’t like to have its roots wet. Temperature 18°C to 29°C is ideal. It is sensitive to frost, so protect it from cold drafts and low winter temperatures. Humidity Average indoor humidity is enough. Not requiring misting or added humidity. Repotting Every 1 to 2 years, or once it fills its pot, ideally in spring or early summer. Growth rate Fast growing and spreading, with trailing stems that lengthen quickly through the warmer months. Product specifications Plant common name Baby Sunrose Botanical name Aptenia cordifolia Plant type Outdoor/indoor succulent groundcover, trailing and flowering Life cycle Perennial Suitable location Sunny balconies, hanging baskets, window boxes, rockeries, ground cover in garden beds Sunlight exposure Full sun to partial shade Bloom period Through warmer months; small pink to magenta, daisy-like flowers that open in sunlight Special features Heart-shaped fleshy leaves, fast trailing growth, bright pink flowers Plant size at dispatch 3 inches Bare-rooted / Pot Optional Pot size 3 inches Pot material Plastic nursery pot Soil type Well-draining succulent or cactus potting mix Country of origin India Brand Plant Orbit Seller Plant Orbit Haldwani What's in the box 1 × Live Aptenia cordifolia (Baby Sunrose) plant 1 × Nursery pot (Bare-rooted / Pot: Optional) Well-draining potting mix Basic care guide Important notes Each plant size and length and quantity of flowers open may be slightly different because it is a natural living product and its flowers rely on recent light exposure to blossom. In cases where your plant traveled through darkness or was picked in the evening, the flowers might arrive closed and reopen when the plant gets back into sunlight. The leaf or stem stress experienced from transit is quite typical and the effects generally subside within a few weeks of attentive care. Don’t put your plant under the sun for a couple of days after you receive it. Don’t put the plant next to the cold window or air conditioner. Water too much is the greatest harm of this plant. Let the soil completely dry out before watering it again. Frequently asked questions Q: Why is my Baby Sunrose not blooming? A: Flowers are almost entirely dependent on light. If your plant is in an area of shade or poor light conditions, it will likely thrive but without many flowers or no flowers at all. Relocate it to a sunny area and the flowers will probably be back within a week or two. Q: How often do I water my Baby Sunrose? A: Allow soil to completely dry out between watering. You will need to water roughly once a week to every two weeks in warmer conditions, and perhaps once a month in winter. Q: Is Baby Sunrose okay indoors? A: It will survive in a bright window, but needs many hours of direct sunlight to bloom well which can be hard to achieve on an indoor window unless you live on a balcony or sunny sill. Q: Does Baby Sunrose need direct sunlight? A: Yes, it performs well in full sun or bright light situations. It will tolerate partial shade, but if it doesn’t have enough light then the flowers and leaves won't be as vibrant. Q: How fast does Baby Sunrose grow? A: Baby Sunrose is an impressively fast-growing succulent that rambles and trails readily through spring and summer. You’ll want to deadhead lightly to maintain a more compact growth habit if it begins to spread too widely. Q: Are Baby Sunrose toxic to pets? A: I have not come across reports of any specific Baby Sunrose toxicity issues. Nevertheless, it is a good practice not to let any pet chew or eat leaves or other plant parts from any houseplants you have.