Propagation
Sow fresh seed when ripe and maintain a temperature of 18ş to 21ş C. (64ş to 75ş F).

Divide the offsets with roots attached in late spring through early summer.


Botanic information
Leaf: The dull green leaves are tapering-ovate with recurved margins that are armed with sharpe whitish spines. The texture is thick and fleshy and the base clasps the stem.

Flower: The flowers are campanulate to urceolate and are arranged in a terminal raceme that is held above the foliage on a slender scape. They appear during summer.

Fruit: The cylindrical loculicidal capsule contains flattened seeds that are viable but the plant is commonly reproduced vegetatively.


Culture
Succulents are easy to care for pot plants and are excellent as children`s first houseplant. They can tolerate a great deal of neglect and mismanagement allowing beginners to tune their horticulture talents.

These plants prefer hot days and cool nights and during winter tolerate temperatures that fall to 4.5şC (40şF). Bright indirect light is essential and if grown in full sun some shade is required.
When watering allow the compost to dry a little before re-watering. Reduce watering during winter to once a month. The soil must be well drained and never allow it to become boggy as this will result in the plant rotting. Misting the leaves is not required and the plants prefer fresh air. Houseplants should be placed near an open window.

When re-potting select a shallow pot that is just larger than the current one and pot up during spring in a loam based gritty potting mix.

General plant symptoms
Stem elongation is normally the result of too much water or lack of light. Rotate the plant to even growth and place in a brighter position.