{"product_id":"huernia-zebrina-lifesaver-plant","title":"Huernia zebrina - Lifesaver Plant","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis funky succulent stands out from the crowd with its multiple short stems of spiny foliage. As your plant grows, it will spread outwards and start to trail, so don't panic if it's growing sideways rather than upwards - this is normal! It will be best displayed somewhere you can admire this foliage growth. In summer, if your plant is happy, it may give you a display of its stunning flowers. The flowers are the most remarkable feature of this plant when in bloom, with a maroon or burgundy circle like a life ring (or polo mint) in the centre surrounded by star-like petals decorated with maroon and yellow stripes. Give this plant plenty of light and not too much water and it will be at its best in your home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cem\u003eHuernia zebrina\u003c\/em\u003e (Heurnius' plant with zebra stripes)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSynonyms: \u003cem\u003eCeropegia zebrina\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis plant was first identified in a 1909 paper under this name and has kept it ever since. Although it was referred to as \u003cem\u003eCeropegia zebrina\u003c\/em\u003e in a paper in 2017, \u003cem\u003eHuernia zebrina\u003c\/em\u003e is still the accepted scientific name.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Name(s)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eLifesaver Cactus, Little Owl Cactus, Lifebuoy Huernia, Zebra-Striped Huernia, Zebra Cactus, Carrion Flower\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eNative to Africa - rocky, arid areas in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal and Northern Provinces as well as Botswana, Eswatini, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Mozambique\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLight\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eGive your \u003cem\u003eHuernia\u003c\/em\u003e somewhere bright with a little bit of direct sun. Too much direct sunlight can scorch its stems, while insufficient light may reduce flowering. An east- or west-facing window is ideal.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eAllow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Water sparingly, especially during winter when the plant won't be growing. Soggy soil can lead to root rot, so ensure the pot has proper drainage.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHumidity\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThrives in low humidity. Make sure you're keeping it somewhere with decent airflow that's not excessively damp.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eUse a well-draining cactus or succulent soil; a mix with added sand or grit will work well. Make sure your pot has drainage holes. Repot every few years as the plant grows; you'll know it's ready to repot when the roots are crowding the pot.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eFeed once every two months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a diluted cactus or succulent fertiliser. Feeding is unnecessary in autumn and winter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTemperature\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eIdeal temperatures are between 18-26°C. Protect from frost and avoid exposure to temperatures below 10°C.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePet-safe\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eYes, this plant is non-toxic to pets, making it a safe choice for households with animals.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSprouts Top Tips\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eA big risk for this plant is giving it too much water; make sure the soil has totally dried out before you water again and this will help keep it happy!\u003cbr\u003eThe stems should droop a little, so don't worry if they are not upright. They will look best on a shelf or in a hanging pot where their dangly stems can be shown off.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eExtras\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThe flowers of \u003cem\u003eHuernia zebrina\u003c\/em\u003e emit a faint scent similar to carrion, which helps attract pollinating flies. The scent is mild indoors, though, so don't be put off! The flowers are more than interesting enough to offset their odd smell.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDid You Know?\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThe genus \u003cem\u003eHuernia\u003c\/em\u003e was named by Robert Brown in honour of Dutch missionary Justin Heurnius, the first known collector of Cape of Good Hope plants. It was Brown who originated the misspelling of his name, and it stuck.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sprouts of Bristol","offers":[{"title":"5.5cm","offer_id":55163142275453,"sku":"3611239647371","price":12.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0490\/2774\/3905\/files\/huernia-zebrina-lifesaver-plant-355005.jpg?v=1737424366","url":"https:\/\/sproutsofbristol.pro\/products\/huernia-zebrina-lifesaver-plant","provider":"Sprouts of Bristol","version":"1.0","type":"link"}