The African Living Rock is a small succulent herbaceous perennial that has a stone-like or pebble-like appearance and is native to South Africa. In its native habitat, it appears to be half buried in the soil and can be found in dry shrubland or deserts in the Eastern Cape to Western Cape of South Africa. Currently, they are threatened by overgrazing by sheep and goats and also by the illegal collection for commercial trade. It is a member of the ice plant family (Aizoaceae). The specific epithet, bolusii , honors a South African botanist, Harry Bolus. This plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight. It can tolerate direct morning sun but prefers partial shade in the afternoon. It will require a well-draining potting mix. They are not cold weather tolerant and are hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones of 9b to 11b. Watering is dependent on its growth cycle. The plant is dormant during the summer and does not require water. During the fall, it is best to water thoroughly during its growing cycle but allow the potting mix to dry out between waterings. Repotting may be required every 2 years. It may be propagated by seeds or division. The plant has a clump-forming habit, stemless, and grows about 3 inches tall and 6 inches wide with a split in the middle where new growth occurs. It has two to four opposite, fleshy, thick, triangular-shaped leaves that unite at the base and are grayish green to brown with small dark spots. The leaves help the plant conserve water, and their stone-like appearance helps protect the plant from predators. They bloom in the late summer to early fall. The flowers are yellow or orange, daisy-like, and measure about 3 inches in diameter. The blooms may be solitary or found in groups of three. Frequently, they are coconut-scented and bloom over several days. The bloom opens in the afternoon and closes by sunset. The fruits are dark brown and woody capsules that have 10 to 12 locules. The Living Rock is a rare but popular ornamental. This small plant is easy to grow, and it can be used as a houseplant or in warmer climates planted in a rock garden. It is drought and poor soils tolerant. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is generally disease free. Monitor for aphids and avoid overwatering.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
Less than 12 inches
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 3 in. | Width: 0 ft. 1 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover (<1 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping
Leaf color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf feel
Fleshy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Two to four leaves appear opposite and are fleshy, thick, triangular, grayish-green to brown with small dark spots that unite at the base. Each leaf measures up to 3 inches in length and 1.5 inches wide.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flowers bloom in late summer to early fall and are daisy-like, yellow or orange, and measure up to 3 inches in diameter. They are frequently coconut scented and open in the afternoon and close at sunset. The blooms may be solitary or occur in groups of three.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruits are woody and small dark brown capsules with 10 to 12 locules. The seeds are small, round, and black.
Stem detail
Stemless
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
South Africa
Distribution
Cape Provinces
Wildlife value
In South Africa, sheep and goats feed on this plant.
Play value
Easy to Grow
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants; Small Space
Landscape theme
Rock Garden
Design feature
Border
Garden tags
#succulent #non-toxic for cats #non-toxic for horses #non-toxic for dogs #perennial #partial shade tolerant #houseplant #rock garden #low maintenance #drought tolerant #interesting flowers #interesting leaves #container plant #border #easy to grow houseplant #poor soil tolerant