To understand our light needs, you must first understand where we come from. We are native to the rugged landscapes of Southern Africa, primarily South Africa. Our evolutionary journey has shaped us to thrive in specific conditions. We are not desert dwellers like cacti, baking under a relentless sun. Instead, we are masters of survival in semi-shaded environments. You will often find us growing nestled amongst rocks, tucked under the partial shade of shrubs, or in grassy patches where we receive dappled sunlight. This means our leaves are adapted to process bright, indirect light rather than the full, scorching intensity of the midday sun. Our succulent leaves store water to endure dry periods, but if exposed to excessive direct sunlight, this very adaptation can work against us, leading to rapid internal heating and damage.
We communicate our comfort level with light through our foliage. It is a silent language you can learn to interpret. When we receive the ideal amount of light, our growth is compact and symmetrical. Our leaves exhibit their most vibrant and characteristic colors, which can range from deep, rich greens to reddish-browns or even translucent "windows" at the leaf tips that allow light to penetrate deeper into the leaf tissue for photosynthesis.
However, when the light is incorrect, we show clear distress signals. Too much sun manifests as sunburn. You will see this as bleached, white, or yellowish patches on the leaves. These areas are permanently damaged and will become dry and papery. In severe cases, the entire plant may turn a reddish-brown or purple colour as a stress response, and the leaf tips can dry out and die back. This is our way of crying out for relief from the intense rays.
Conversely, too little light also causes problems. In our quest for more photons, we will begin to etiolate, or stretch. The rosette will become loose and elongated, the leaves will grow longer and weaker, and the spaces between them will widen. The plant loses its compact, desirable form and becomes pale and leggy, as it desperately reaches for any available light source. This weakened state makes us more susceptible to pests and disease.
The perfect light for us is what you might call "bright, indirect light." Think of the quality of light under a sheer curtain on a south or east-facing windowsill. An east-facing window is often ideal because it provides several hours of the gentle, morning sun, which is less intense than the harsh afternoon sun of a west-facing window. A south-facing window can work perfectly well, but it may require some filtering during the hottest part of the day, especially in summer.
If you are growing us outdoors, the dappled shade provided by a tree or a patio cover replicates our natural habitat beautifully. We can tolerate some direct morning sun, but the hot afternoon sun should be avoided. The duration is also key; 4-6 hours of this kind of bright, filtered light is typically sufficient for healthy growth and maintaining our striking form and colouration.
Our light requirements are not static throughout the year. We are attuned to the seasonal shifts in the sun's angle and intensity. During the spring and summer growing season, when the sun is higher and stronger, we appreciate a little more protection. You might need to pull us back from a windowsill or provide additional shading to prevent sunburn.
In the winter, however, the sun is lower in the sky and its rays are weaker. During this dormant period, we can tolerate, and often benefit from, more direct exposure. Moving us to a spot that receives several hours of direct winter sun can help prevent etiolation and keep us healthy and compact until the growing season returns. It is this careful dance with the seasons that allows us to thrive in your care.
