Description
Monilaria moniliformis is a beautiful small, sparsely branched succulent shrub with soft barrel-shaped internodes and very soft, cylindrical, short-lived leaves arranged in pairs. It grows up to 5.4 inches (12 cm) tall. Internodes are up to 0.5 inches (1.2 cm) tall, nearly equal in diameter, and covered with terminal sclerotic sheaths. Leaves are up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and up to 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) in diameter. This plant is a winter grower, and its leaves disappear in summer. The solitary flowers are white with a yellow center, up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) in diameter, and appear on an up to 4 inches (10 cm) long pedicel in fall and winter.
How to grow Monilaria moniliformis (Bunny Succulent)
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 that are not especially large and sometimes very small and affect how they need to be treated in cultivation.
The first method we will look at for cultivating new plants is with the bunny ears themselves.
Follow these simple steps:
Identify a healthy, vibrant looking stem from the mother plant
With a sterilized knife, carefully cut away the healthy stem as close to the mother plant as possible
Place in seeding dish with a loam-based soil
Make sure you water the soil so that it is wet, but not soaked
Cover the seeding plate with plastic wrap to maintain the moisture and humidity
Leave for 10 – 14 days, periodically checking on it to ensure the moisture levels are okay
Once you observe the beginnings of fine roots developing, plant the stem in some pre-prepared substrate and generously water.
Cultivating new plants from seeds
The last method we are going to discuss is the more traditional form of growing new plants, sowing from seeds.
Yes, growing a plant from seeds does take a little longer, but the reward of knowing you have grown a new living organism from its first existence has some intrinsic personal gratification.
Plus you know your new plants will be pest and disease free, giving you a better chance of succeeding in the long term.
The only challenge of growing from seed is sourcing a reputable supply of the seeds. You should be able to source seeds from various online sources, however we do recommend you do your research before committing to the purchase.
To grow new plants from seeds, follow these steps:
To provide your seeds the best opportunity to germinate, you will need to create the best conditions at the right time. Monilaria moniliforme tend to do most of their growing in the cooler months, therefore sowing your seeds at the beginning of Autumn will give you the best chance of success.
Use a purpose made seed raising mix that allows for moisture retention, but also good drainage (a loam based soil).
Find and fill a pot(s) around 4 inches (10 centimeters) deep
Sow 2-4 seeds in each pot and cover with a light sprinkling of the same soil
Place the pots in a well lit space around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit (20-22 degrees Celsius) to stimulate germination
Weekly maintenance includes maintaining moisture in the soil using a spray bottle for light spritzing.
You should be able to observe your new plants growing with the trademark bunny ears springing from the soil.
How to care for Monilaria moniliformis (Bunny Succulent)
According to Kellogg Garden Products, compared to other succulents, bunny succulents can be a bit more temperamental. They like a lot of light that is largely indirect, rather than bathing in the sun as some other succulents like to do. Also, unlike other succulents, bunny succulents are dormant in summer, so their heavy watering time and potential fertilizing time will be through the winter months.
Bunny succulents love a sunny window seat, so long as it is not sunny all day and offers lots of air ventilation. If you are careful to protect your bunny succulent from direct sunlight, you can get by on very minimal watering, says RayaGarden. Since the bunny succulent stores water in its leaves and stem, you can wait to water until the soil feels half dry in winter, possibly around once a week, depending on other variables like the size of your pot. You may occasionally spray the topsoil of your plant through the summer months when your bunny succulent is dormant.
As much as possible, refrain from repotting your bunny succulent, says Succulent Thrive. They like to grow in the same pot for years.