Muiria hortenseae, sometimes called the mouse head mesemb or muiskopvygie (Afrikaans), is being grown widely in cultivation, as can be seen on the Internet plant and seed markets. The plant is said to be rare and the genus Muiria is monotypical, consisting of only one species.The leaves are covered in a soft fur. The single, waxy white or pale pink flowers appear on the tops of the rounded leaves in spring and summer. The petals in rows closer to the centre are progressively shorter. Fruit capsules have six sections. The seeds are small, brown and smooth.
How to Grow and Care
Mesembs are mostly adapted to relatively predictable rainfall patterns rather than extreme drought and irregular rainfall. Total rainfall may be extremely low, but water is available at least seasonally or through fog and condensation. This leads to or allows plants which are not especially large and sometimes very small, and affects the way they need to be treated in cultivation.
The basics of care are very simple, with free-draining soil, plenty of sun and ventilation, and regular light watering in the right season. Yet the difficulties are endless, trying to adapt to the Mesembs' own adaptability and to follow their growth habits in your particular conditions.
These plants require a loam-based compost with the addition of extra drainage material such as horticultural grit or perlite. They all like good light conditions and plenty of ventilation.
Some are relatively cold-hardy and can even survive mild winters outside. Most will survive temperatures down to freezing point. There are some Mesembs which begin to grow in the fall as the temperature drops and the days get shorter.
– Learn more at: HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR MESEMBS
Hardiness:
Hardiness USDA zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Origin:
Muiria hortenseae is endemic to a very small area in the Little Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa.
- Scientific Name: Muiria hortenseae N.E. Br.
- Common Names: Mouse Head, Mouse Head Mesemb, Schmoo Plant
- Synonyms: Gibbaeum hortenseae
- Family: Aizoaceae
- Genus: Muiria
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How to Grow and Care
Mesembs are mostly adapted to relatively predictable rainfall patterns rather than extreme drought and irregular rainfall. Total rainfall may be extremely low, but water is available at least seasonally or through fog and condensation. This leads to or allows plants which are not especially large and sometimes very small, and affects the way they need to be treated in cultivation.
The basics of care are very simple, with free-draining soil, plenty of sun and ventilation, and regular light watering in the right season. Yet the difficulties are endless, trying to adapt to the Mesembs' own adaptability and to follow their growth habits in your particular conditions.
These plants require a loam-based compost with the addition of extra drainage material such as horticultural grit or perlite. They all like good light conditions and plenty of ventilation.
Some are relatively cold-hardy and can even survive mild winters outside. Most will survive temperatures down to freezing point. There are some Mesembs which begin to grow in the fall as the temperature drops and the days get shorter.
– Learn more at: HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR MESEMBS
Hardiness:
Hardiness USDA zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
Origin:
Muiria hortenseae is endemic to a very small area in the Little Karoo, Western Cape, South Africa.
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