Sometimes mistaken for a Mammillaria at first Trichodiadema Densum is kind of a lookalike. Small and stubby, jade green, succulent fingers grow side by side tightly enough to hold each other up in friendly support like good friends, topped with a little circle spray (a crown, the name means "crown of hair") of soft and short, pure white hairs. The finger lobes and crown of hairs are what make it look like the Mammillaria. As it grows, it loses that resemblance, eventually the fingers will rise up on short green stems that age to brown to make tiny trees. Those stems swell and gnarl and have even been coaxed into bonsai trees, prized for their super slow growth, small size even when mature, and pretty weird character each plant acquires. Also called "desert rose" for the unlikely, large and lovely flowers. Vibrant orchid/fucshia frilly blossoms open flat with a fluff of silky, bright white hairs inside, with a yellow bit in the very center. Each one of these plants grows its own way, just in a really small size.
- Drought Tolerant
- Low Maintenance
Quick Care Guide:
- Water - Low (1): Needs very little water to survive. Wait until the plant is completely dry then fully soak. Drought tolerant by nature.
- Light - High (5): Plant needs a lot of light; direct is even better. These plants do best when placed on a window sill or next to a bright window. Avoid concentrated, hot light from window which may cause burning (magnifying glass effect).
- Difficulty - Low (1): These plants need barely any attention to thrive. Set it and forget it.