My roots are not like those of a thirsty fern; they are designed for arid environments. The most common mistake you make is giving me too much water. When you water me on a strict schedule, or when the soil is still damp, you suffocate me. My roots need to breathe, and sitting in consistently wet soil leads to root rot—a deadly condition where my roots turn to mush and can no longer absorb nutrients or water. Please, only water me when my soil is completely bone-dry. Stick your finger in the soil; if it's dry an inch or two down, it's time for a drink. And always ensure my pot has excellent drainage holes!
I am a sun-loving being. While I can tolerate some shade, you often place me on a dim office desk or a dark corner of your patio and wonder why I become stretched, leggy, and pale. This process, called etiolation, is my desperate attempt to reach for more sunlight. It weakens my structure and ruins my compact, rosette shape. To keep me healthy and showcase my true, stress-induced colors (like pinks and purples), I need plenty of bright, indirect light. A south or east-facing window in the USA is ideal. If you move me outdoors for the summer, acclimate me slowly to prevent sunburn.
Planting me in standard potting soil or garden dirt is a death sentence. These mediums are too dense and retain far too much moisture around my sensitive roots. I need a home that replicates my native, gritty habitat. You must provide me with a very well-draining succulent or cactus mix. Even better, you can amend a commercial mix with perlite, pumice, or coarse sand (at a 50/50 ratio) to ensure water flows through quickly and my roots stay aerated and dry. The right soil is my first and best defense against rot.
I am not frost-hardy. A common and fatal mistake is forgetting to bring me inside before the first frost of autumn. I thrive in temperatures between 65°F and 80°F. When the mercury dips below 50°F, my growth slows. If I am exposed to freezing temperatures, the water stored in my leaves will freeze, causing irreparable cell damage. I will turn to mush and die. Please pay close attention to the weather forecast. If you live in a region of the USA with cold winters, I must be a container plant that you bring indoors long before the risk of frost arrives.
While I am generally resilient, I am not immune to pests. Mealybugs and aphids are particularly fond of sucking the sap from my juicy leaves. You often don't notice them until they have established a large colony, hidden in the crevices of my rosette. This weakens me significantly and can lead to sooty mold or viral infections. Make it a habit to inspect me closely every time you water. Look for white, cottony masses (mealybugs) or clusters of small insects. Catching them early makes treatment with isopropyl alcohol or insecticidal soap much easier and saves me a great deal of stress.
