Soft papillae
Translucent projections look sharp but feel soft to the touch.
8
Delosperma echinatum 5.5cm
Normal price
€3,50
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Delosperma echinatum
You hesitate to touch it, then cannot stop 🖐️
- Aizoaceae
- Translucent papillae
- Velvety texture
- Low branching
- White-yellow flowers
Delosperma echinatum is a succulent that plays cleverly with first impressions: tiny translucent projections across its leaves and stems resemble spines, yet they create an unexpectedly soft, almost velvety surface. Its texture reveals a different character as the angle of light changes, giving the green growth a crystalline shimmer.
Low, dense branching builds a playful little composition that rewards close inspection. This is an authentic species with strong collector appeal, perfect for anyone looking for something genuinely unusual, with personality created not simply by colour but by fine detail, tactile intrigue and intricate miniature architecture.
What makes it stand out
Three defining details that turn its botanical identity into real presence for a collection and interior.
Crystalline shimmer
The textured surface catches light and animates the green colour.
Small flowers
White to pale yellow flowers may appear during active growth.
Why you’ll love it: it looks prickly yet proves soft, turning one tiny detail into a complete visual and tactile experience.
In your spacePlacement & plant pairingsWhere it looks best and which plants complement it
Where it looks its best
Place it low and close to eye level in simple ceramic that does not compete with its texture. A dark background or fine gravel highlights the translucent projections.
Plants that complement it
Pair it with plants that genuinely share its light, substrate and seasonal rhythm. Separate pots keep care precise for each one.
- Faucaria tigrina — toothed leaves for a second visual surprise.
- Fenestraria rhopalophylla — translucent windows that continue the crystalline theme.
- Crassula deceptor — a hard geometric surface against the velvety texture.
Care at a glance
Light
Very bright light with gentle direct sun and gradual acclimation.
Watering
Water after deep drying, slightly more often only during active growth.
Textured surface
Good airflow, frost protection and no prolonged dampness in cold weather.
Pets & children
Species-specific evidence is insufficient to treat it as safe to eat. Keep it out of reach of children and animals and prevent chewing.
For this plant
Substrate & nutrition
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, drying cycle, climate, substrate and feeding in detail
Light and position
Provide abundant light and gentle sun, increasing exposure gradually. This keeps growth dense and allows the translucent papillae to reflect light clearly.
Correct watering
Water thoroughly once the mix has dried deeply and allow complete drainage. During active growth, do not leave it dehydrated for excessively long periods.
Airflow and humidity
Air should circulate around the dense stems. Avoid misting and persistent moisture on the papillae, especially when temperatures are low.
Temperature and seasonal rhythm
Protect it from frost and prolonged cold wetting. When growth slows, reduce frequency rather than relying on a rigid calendar.
Substrate
Choose an airy mix with a high proportion of pumice, perlite or another stable mineral material and a free drainage outlet.
Feeding, repotting and handling
Use very dilute, balanced low-nitrogen nutrition while new stems are appearing. Repot without crushing the dense base or fragile tips.
Botanical identityIdentity & natural originAccepted name, taxonomic history and natural or cultivated provenance
Accepted species
Delosperma echinatum (Lam.) Schwantes is an accepted Aizoaceae species. Schwantes’s combination is based on an earlier name published by Lamarck.
Natural range
Its documented natural range lies in South Africa’s south-eastern Cape Province, where it grows as a succulent subshrub in subtropical conditions.
Species rather than trade cultivar
The characteristic textured surface belongs to the wild species itself. It does not require an assumed breeder, cross or commercial selection.
From natural habitat to care: Subshrub growth in rocky Cape settings and succulent tissues explain abundant light, immediate drainage and a moisture cycle that follows actual growth rather than extreme permanent drought.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScientific facts nobody asked forBotanical detail for anyone who wants to know what lies behind the plant’s appearance
Epidermal papillae
The soft translucent projections are specialised epidermal structures rather than spines.
Tissue storage
Leaves and stems retain moisture in succulent parenchyma between rainfall events.
Radiate flower
As in many Aizoaceae, narrow petals form a bright daisy-like display.
Low branching habit
Many short axes create a dense subshrub form rather than a single rosette.
Frequently asked questions
Useful answers about light, watering, seasonal rhythm and the plant’s correct identity.
01What light does it need?
Very bright light with gentle direct sun and gradual acclimation.
02When does it need watering?
Water after deep drying, slightly more often only during active growth.
03Which potting mix is suitable?
Choose an airy mix with a high proportion of pumice, perlite or another stable mineral material and a free drainage outlet.
04How should I follow its seasonal rhythm?
Protect it from frost and prolonged cold wetting. When growth slows, reduce frequency rather than relying on a rigid calendar.
05What needs care around children and animals?
Species-specific evidence is insufficient to treat it as safe to eat. Keep it out of reach of children and animals and prevent chewing.
06Do the “hairs” prick?
No. They are soft epidermal papillae that visually imitate tiny spines without the same rigidity.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.