If you are looking for a cute and easy-to-care succulent plant, you might want to check out Coophytum pageae. This plant is also known as Lips Plant, Cone Plant, Button Plant, or Dumplings due to its unique shape and growth habit. It is a great choice for beginner gardeners because it can tolerate drought and heat well if given the proper care.
Coophytum pageae is native to southern Namibia and the Cape Provinces of southern Africa, where it grows in rocky soil and oases. It belongs to the Aizoaceae family, also known as the Ice Plant family, which showcases the diverse beauty of these remarkable plants.
This plant has a fascinating life cycle that adapts to its harsh environment. It grows in clusters of individual plants or stemless “bodies” that are fig-shaped or inversely conical and about 1″ (2.5 cm) high. Each body is made of two fused, dull, gray-green leaves with a pointed fissure at the top, edged in red, resembling two lips.
These little plants go dormant in the late spring and summer. At that time, the outer leaves begin to shrivel as two new leaves form inside. The old outer leaves become a thin, dry dormancy coat that functions to protect the young leaves as they grow.
When the plants resume their growth in the fall, single, daisy-like flowers bloom octagonally from the red-edged foliage. Each highly fragrant yellow, rosy-pink, or white flower develops into a small capsule with many tiny seeds.
Their active growth period extends through the winter months, and then they move toward dormancy in the spring. Coophytum are very slow-growing succulents that can live well over 50 years.
Although plants in the Coophytum genus are thought to have sedative properties from a mesembrian alkaloid; their effects extend almost exclusively to the horticultural trade.
These appealing plants are perfect for adding some charm and personality to your indoor or outdoor garden. They are also ideal for creating miniature landscapes or fairy gardens with other succulents and accessories. You will love watching them change throughout the seasons and enjoy their lovely flowers in the fall.
Coophytum pageae is a rare and sought-after plant among succulent collectors and enthusiasts. If you want to get your hands on one of these lip-shaped beauties, you might have to do some online searching or visit a specialized nursery. But trust us, it will be worth it!
