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Cream and dark green Mother of Thousands

(19 Posts)
LilyoftheValley Tue 27-Jun-23 11:55:48

I spotted one of these little plants a couple of months back and bought it despite knowing that keeping one is difficult. I hav e no problem with the dark green ones.

It has seemed fine until recently when a number of lower leaves seem too be drying out and/or rotting. I ha e tried to be careful when watering - not too much and not on the leaves. Has anyone tips please in order that I do not lose thelittle person. Thank you.

Calendargirl Tue 27-Jun-23 13:06:16

No advice I’m afraid, except I feel I must point out it’s a plant, not a person.

🌿

Germanshepherdsmum Tue 27-Jun-23 13:09:41

I thought it was lovely to refer to the plant as a little person. I have no advice other than perhaps to stand the pot in water for a while when dry, rather than watering from the top. I hope the little person perks up soon.

FannyCornforth Tue 27-Jun-23 13:21:45

Ooh, I haven’t heard of that plant.
I just googled and there are quite a few different types.
Does it look like this?

Oreo Tue 27-Jun-23 13:26:40

Never heard of it, but now I want one 😄

Dickens Tue 27-Jun-23 13:28:39

The little person is a succulent and, as such, needs a well-drained potting mix and infrequent watering. Wait until the top 1-2 inches are dry before watering and then water thoroughly until the top dries out again.

Low humidity (ha!) helps and between 18c - 23c temp.

If the lower leaves are rotting, it might be that you have overwatered. However, as long as it's only the lower leaves... they do tend to die off naturally.

green-shack.com/disease-mother-of-thousands/#Why%20Does%20My%20Mother%20of%20Thousands%20Have%20Leaf%20Spots?&utm_content=cmp-true

Callistemon21 Tue 27-Jun-23 13:32:52

I always had one of these plants many years ago, until we moved house once.

It would be a good idea to grow some new ones from the babies that grow along the edges just in case anything happens to the mother plant.

Don't overwater.

NanTheWiser Tue 27-Jun-23 16:47:10

It is the variegated form of Saxifraga stolonifera in the Saxifrage family. I used to grow this (not very successfully, I admit) as they can be a bit fussy. I think they like fairly cool conditions, with bright filtered light, not full sun.
I keep meaning to get another, as I saw some in the local garden centre recently.

LilyoftheValley Wed 28-Jun-23 09:47:28

Thank you everyone. It is not one of the pointy leaved variety with babes at the end but a trailing plant - would upload a picture but cannot! Reminds me somewhat of a strawberry plant.

Callistemon21 Wed 28-Jun-23 10:54:25

Like the one NantheWiser describes?
Is this it?
www.waitrosegarden.com/plants/_/saxifraga-stolonifera/classid.2000032041/
Other retailers available but that was the best picture.

Dickens Wed 28-Jun-23 23:42:39

Callistemon21

Like the one NantheWiser describes?
Is this it?
www.waitrosegarden.com/plants/_/saxifraga-stolonifera/classid.2000032041/
Other retailers available but that was the best picture.

... that's awesome!

MibsXX Thu 29-Jun-23 12:31:59

We called these Friendship plants when I was a child, as you give the babies on the leaves to your friends!

Diggingdoris Thu 29-Jun-23 14:45:43

I'd love one of those with babies on the edge of leaves but can't find one anywhere. Where did you get yours from?

mulberry7 Thu 29-Jun-23 16:34:54

I think they're named Bryophyllum daigreimontiana. There's a pink one, butterfly something, lovely.

NanTheWiser Thu 29-Jun-23 17:23:09

mulberry7

I think they're named Bryophyllum daigreimontiana. There's a pink one, butterfly something, lovely.

I’m afraid not mulberry7. The plant you refer to is a succulent in the Kalanchoe family, whereas the plant under discussion is a member of the Saxifrage family. (I have grown both).

It doesn’t help when a number of plants go under the common name of “Mother of thousands”!

NanTheWiser Thu 29-Jun-23 17:24:47

Oh, just noticed your reply was to Diggingdoris, in which case you are correct! Apologies!!

Gundy Fri 30-Jun-23 07:45:44

The more I ignore my plants the better they grow. Can’t figure it out. I plain forget to water and tend to them. Some need haircuts.

I’ve kind of figured out that over watering is the real culprit. My plants get bone dry, where leaves start to droop - then I notice it’s time for a drink.

I set the pot in a basin of water. I add some water from the top. You can almost watch the water level being slurped up. Then drain well before placing back in your other pot. Never let plants sit in water.
USA Gundy

LilyoftheValley Fri 30-Jun-23 08:30:38

Callistemon. Spot on with the plant. My tiny though, has cream in the leaves and, apparently, is trickier than the green variety. Thank you everyone.

Callistemon21 Fri 30-Jun-23 10:15:13

LilyoftheValley

Callistemon. Spot on with the plant. My tiny though, has cream in the leaves and, apparently, is trickier than the green variety. Thank you everyone.

I think I had one many years ago LilyoftheValley but probably killed it with kindness.