Although the Hoodia gordonii is colloquially often referred to as a cactus, the easy-care plant is actually a member of the silk family. Also known as the carrion flower, the succulent is a sturdy room ornament that doesn’t require much effort. Coming from barren but warm regions, it requires neither many nutrients nor water. This makes Hoodia gordonii ideal for everyone who often forgets to water and is inexperienced in plant care – but still doesn’t want to do without a green eye-catcher. Hoodia gordonii only has a not so pleasant surprise in store when it is in bloom.
Table of Contents
location
The Hoodia gordonii comes from sunny climes and therefore needs plenty of light as a houseplant. Optimal is direct glass proximity to a south-facing window where it is too bright or warm for other plants.
If the carrion flower cannot be offered that, it should at least be an unshaded east or west window. Hoodia gordonii needs normal room temperatures for this, preferably also in winter.
Substrate
Hoodia gordonii does very well on mineral soil with a sandy portion. Substrates for cacti and combinations with lava or pumice are recommended. Alternatively, a washed out, weathered soil can be mixed with quartz sand. In any case, the soil must be dry and only store a small amount of water.
watering and fertilizing
Hoodia gordonii is very easy to care for when watering, the water can come straight from the tap, even if it is hard and calcareous. To do this, the pot can be submerged or the substrate can be washed, as long as the rapid and complete drainage of the water is ensured. The houseplant with a cactus look does not tolerate waterlogging, but it can withstand drought for up to a year. Anyone who forgets to water more often will find the right room green in this plant. Even if there has been a lack of water for a long time, the carrion flower usually recovers quickly.
Watering is done as regularly as possible in summer and always when the substrate is at least superficially dry. In winter it may be less, both in quantity and frequency.
Even if the Hoodia gordonii is not actually a cactus, cactus fertilizer is still very good for it. However, this can be used very sparingly. Once or twice a year, the additional nutrient supply – preferably directly in the irrigation water – is sufficient.
How often you should fertilize depends on the watering behavior and the desired growth. If Hoodia gordonii is to grow quickly and is watered accordingly, it may also receive three or even four doses of fertilizer per year. If watered sparingly, a nutrient supply in the spring is completely sufficient.
blending
Hoodia gordonii can grow as a solitary shoot or branched, but pruning is not usually necessary with either form. A corrective intervention is only recommended for reproduction and in the event of an infestation with diseases.
To avoid additional damage, the interfaces should be allowed to dry well. It is good to put the plant in a dry, warm place or to use a hair dryer on a low setting.
blossom
The hoodia gordonii owes the unflattering name carrion flower to the scent, or rather smell, of its flowers. Because when the silk plant blooms, it gives off a decay-like smell. This should primarily attract flies but also other insects. Instead of bees and bumblebees, less colorful insects pollinate this succulent.
If the Hoodia gordonii blossoms, it should not be in poorly ventilated rooms. If you put the plant outside in summer, you should also choose a place away from the window.
Even if the scent is anything but intoxicating, the flowers of Hoodia gordonii are still decorative. In addition, if fertilization is successful, impressive fruiting bodies are formed, which can reach a length of 25 cm.
repot
The Hoodia gordonii can reach a height of up to 60 cm and is correspondingly heavy due to the water it stores. Depending on the growth, repotting in sufficiently large and stable containers is therefore often necessary, at least initially.
With this measure, care must be taken that the trunk is not inserted too deeply, otherwise there is a risk of rot. In addition, the above-ground part of the succulent should be wrapped in a thick foil or several layers of aluminum foil to protect against injuries. This makes it easier to move and trade.
The best time to repot Hoodia gordonii is early spring.
outdoor culture
In the summer, the Hoodia gordonii is allowed to stand outside. For this, however, at least 15 °C should prevail, even during the night.
On the one hand, a summery outdoor location is favorable when the succulent is blooming. On the other hand, the fish air cure and temperature fluctuations usually do very well for the plant, it becomes more resistant and thrives better. For this, however, it is necessary for the Hoodia gordonii to slowly get used to direct sunlight, even if it is very bright in the apartment. The reason for this is the filtering through the window glass, which is not available outdoors. It is therefore advisable to first move the plant to a location in the light shade and then move it more and more into the sun.
In addition, Hoodia gordonii must not be too damp. If the substrate is exposed to constant rainfall and the water cannot drain off sufficiently, it will quickly rot. If the succulent is under the open sky, neither a saucer nor a planter should prevent the drain. In very wet weather, it is generally better to keep the pot under a roof.
As soon as the temperatures drop below 15 °C, the Hoodia gordonii must be brought back into the house.
hibernate
Hoodia gordonii may not be left outside during the cold season, but the succulent is still decorative. And easy to care for, because they can hibernate at normal room temperatures. The carrion flower does not have to leave its traditional place in the living room. However, it must be watered regularly here, the soil must not dry out completely. Due to the reduced incidence of light, it is usually sufficient to give small amounts of water. This can of course change if the heating air is dry.
Cooler rooms, in which there is at least 15 °C, also get the plant. At least as long as it gets enough light here. Here, too, the substrate should not dry completely, but should never be poured overflowing.
The fertilization is stopped in winter in any case. The already small amount of maintenance is therefore additionally reduced.
propagation
The propagation of Hoodia gordonii is quite easy and can be done both by seeds and by cuttings. If you want to achieve quick results, you should rely on seed propagation. These can either be obtained from the fruiting bodies or purchased in stores.
The following procedure is recommended for germination and care of the young plants:
- The seeds are placed on succulent soil or a mixture of three parts potting soil and two parts quartz sand and pressed – but not covered with substrate.
- The substrate is slightly moistened. In order not to swell the seeds, it is advisable to use a spray bottle or to water the soil before applying the seeds.
- The vessel is placed in a bright location without direct sun, where the temperature is between 20 °C and 25 °C.
- The substrate should be kept slightly moist throughout. If the air is very dry, a transparent cover is recommended to reduce the watering effort.
If the seeds are fresh and the location is optimal, the first germs will appear after just a few days. Once the young plants have reached a height of about five centimetres, they can slowly migrate to a sunnier location.
A little more patience is required for propagation via offshoots, because these first have to form themselves. Once they have reached a height of five to ten centimetres, they can be separated from the mother plant in the root area and potted separately. The easiest way to do this is during repotting in spring. The precautions described above should be observed to prevent injury.
Typical care mistakes, diseases and pests
Far away from its homeland, Hoodia gordonii is very resistant to diseases and, above all, pests. Parasites can usually only be found on it when it is too close to other plants outdoors. Usually no intervention is necessary here, but it can be advisable to rinse off the pests.
On the disease side, Hoodia gordonii is occasionally prone to fungal infections such as rot, mold, and fungal plaque. Mistakes in care increase the risk of such an infestation enormously. The main reasons are the wrong substrate, too frequent watering or a lack of drainage. Too moist, organic and rich soil will quickly give the succulent a hard time. Soggy, greasy patches and rotten roots are the most common consequences. More rarely, black or fungal deposits appear directly on the above-ground part of the silk plant.
The same applies if the soil is already covered with fungal spores. It therefore makes sense to heat the substrate and sand or gravel in the oven to at least 150 °C before repotting. This way germs are killed. It is also advisable to use bird sand. This has proven itself in preventing mold.
If the substrate is not allowed to dry out between waterings, if the pot is standing in water or if the location is too cool, this also encourages rot. Especially in winter and after watering, care should be taken and the temperature checked.
However, with sufficient light and economical watering, the Hoodia gordonii is very robust.
toxicity
Hoodia gordonii may not look or smell delicious when flowering, but it is edible and has proven appetite suppressant benefits. Nevertheless, it is not completely harmless, because the orterrestrial part is covered with spikes and can therefore lead to injuries. In households with small children or curious pets, it should be stable and out of the reach of animals and children. In the case of cats and dogs, care must be taken to ensure that they do not reach the plant, especially during flowering. The smell could then have a particularly tempting effect on the four-legged friends.
