PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; thrives in bright, direct sunlight for most of the day; tolerates light shade in hot summer climates
Watering
Allow soil to dry completely between waterings; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot in heavy, poorly drained soils
Temperature
Hardy to short periods of -5°C; best grown in 10–25°C; protect from prolonged frost damage in winter
Characteristics
- Leaf: Fleshy, blue-green, oval to oblong leaves arranged in dense whorls along trailing stems
- Flower: Small chartreuse cyathia (false flowers) with paired bracts, clustered at stem tips
- Stem: Succulent, blue-green trailing stems that root at nodes when in contact with soil
Care Guide
Watering
Water sparingly when the top 5 cm of soil is completely dry
Fertilization
Diluted balanced feed once every 2 months. Use low-nitrogen feed to prevent leggy growth
Eggshell powder topdress：Crush dried eggshells to fine powder; sprinkle lightly on soil surface, avoiding direct contact with stems to prevent latex irritationPruning
- Remove spent flower heads in late spring to maintain tidy, compact growth
- Trim back overgrown trailing stems in early spring to encourage bushier new growth
- Cut away damaged or rotting stems at soil level promptly to prevent disease spread
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Toxic; milky latex causes oral irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea if ingested
Humans: Contains milky latex sap that causes skin and eye irritation; ingestion leads to gastrointestinal distress
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Ornamental groundcover for rock gardens; xeriscaping in arid regions
