The Stunning Succulent You Might Mistake For Mouthwatering Hard Candy

Most succulents boast a unique, awe-inspiring appearance that somehow keeps them a world apart from other plant types. Their oddly shaped, juicy stems and leaves give off an exotic, almost extraterrestrial vibe. And while there's no lack of visual interest among the likes of aeonium, euphorbia, or kalanchoe, Dicrocaulon ramulosum stands out with a particularly intriguing look. In fact, if you don't know any better, you may even mistake it for hard candy!

Dicrocaulon ramulosum is a succulent shrub that hails from the southernmost provinces of South Africa. There, the plant thrives in arid, desert conditions. In North America, it can be grown outdoors in zones 9 to 10 if grown outdoors. You can also grow it in a pot, allowing you to care for the succulent both inside and outside the house. You can move it out of extreme heat at the peak of summer and bring it indoors if the temperatures reach near freezing. If you're captivated by Dicrocaulon ramulosum's one-of-a-kind appearance, read on and find out everything you need to know before planting this succulent.

Before planting Dicrocaulon ramulosum, make sure you've got the right type of soil on hand. This succulent likes neutral soil, with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. The substrate needs to be loose and properly ventilated, so the pots where you plant Dicrocaulon ramulosum need to have three distinct soil layers. The bottom of the pot should be home to a hydrophobic layer, which helps channel excess water away from the plant's roots. Volcanic stone or ceramsite are suitable candidates for this layer. On top of this medium rests the planting layer — this is the soil that houses and nourishes Dicrocaulon ramulosum's roots. The ideal composition of the planting layer is a 4-2-2-2 ratio of peat moss, perlite, volcanic rock, and vermiculite, although a cactus and succulent potting mix like this one from Amazon should work well, too. Finally, the top decorative layer creates visual interest and secures the plant in place. Pebbles are a great choice for the deco layer.

Once you have the different layers assembled, start by placing the hydrophobic layer at the bottom of the pot. Next, add a bit of the potting mix on top, spread the roots of the Dicrocaulon ramulosum, and place them in the soil. Now, gently add the rest of the middle layer until the roots are completely submerged in the potting soil. Finally, lay down the top decorative layer and give the newly planted succulent a bit of water.

To flourish, Dicrocaulon ramulosum needs at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, although you can comfortably keep it in a spot that gets eight hours of sun. Generally, more light leads to deeper color and thicker foliage, while shadier conditions can stunt growth and decrease the number of flowers. Dicrocaulon ramulosum prefers an ambient air temperature that's between 60 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, this succulent can tolerate intense heat and temperatures that dip close to the freezing mark, even though these extremes may force the plant into dormancy.

Dicrocaulon ramulosum prefers dry conditions, so weekly waterings will suffice. When the plant is dormant, you can give it less water than normal. Fertilizer helps the plant grow and stay healthy, and promotes blooming. The best time to give this plant a nutritional boost is during the growing seasons using a succulent or cactus fertilizer. Conversely, there's no need to give Dicrocaulon ramulosum plant food while it's dormant. Learn more about caring for succulents during the winter season.