Are you fond of daisy-like flowers? Then, Glottiphyllum longum must be one of your choices—have a look at this detailed guide on it!
Glottiphyllum longum is quite an intriguing plant with a peculiar appearance for its elongated leaves, structure, and flowers! In this guide, you’ll explore everything there is to know about it, from its unique features to its cultivation and care.
Glottiphyllum longum- Key Facts
| Common Name | Tongue Plant |
| Botanical Name | Glottiphyllum longum |
| Origin | Cape |
| Plant Type | Perennial |
| Dimension | up to 0.1 m |
| Indoor/Outdoor | Both |
| Sunlight | Direct Sunlight |
| Soil | Loamy/ Sandy |
| Temperature | 25°F (−3.9°C) to 50°F (+10°C) |
| Watering | Depending on the dryness of the soil |
| Blooming Season | Fall-Winter |
| Flower Color | Yellow |
| Toxicity | Non Toxic |
| Uses | Ornamental/ Traditional Medicine |
Plant Information
Glottiphyllum longum is a small succulent with some of the most remarkable features its fleshy and elongated leaves look like gummy worms or even an octopus! These leaves grow in pairs, overlapping each other as they develop, gradually forming a columnar structure.
The extraordinary leaves are green and develop a tinge of yellow or gray patches here and there with rounded margins. Additionally, they are also sometimes slightly curved or upturned at the tips. Meanwhile, the flowers form on short stalks in the brightest hue of yellow—resembling daisies! The flowering time starts in the winter, and fruits develop later on the stems.
It is sometimes confused with the equally widespread Glottiphyllum depressum. However, the main difference is that the flowers and fruits of this species do not have long stems and are instead held directly to the stem.
Pot Size
These perennials are dwarf shrubs that can grow up to 0.1 m high and have a compact growing nature. So, considering such behavior, you can always use a small pot to complement its size. However, if you want it to spread out, then you may use a wide po —but only if it is shallow.
Otherwise, what happens in large pots is that moisture retains for a very long time in the soil, which isn’t required by a small plant. Moreover, too much moisture can cause your drought-tolerant plants to rot and die!
Propagation Methods
To propagate Glottiphyllum longum, you can either use seeds or offsets. To grow from seeds, you can simply sow them in a well-draining soil mix and keep the medium moist until germination. You can also keep the pot in a partially shaded area for faster germination.
Besides, it is a slow grower, so the production of offsets is quite low. However, offsets do appear, mostly in mature plants. To propagate from its pups, gently remove them from the base and transfer them to a new pot with a well-draining potting mixture.
Growing Requirements
Sunlight
These succulents are sun lovers! They enjoy plenty of sunlight and can tolerate direct sunlight for several hours without any complaints. However, when it comes to the harsh afternoon sun, some regions experience leaf scorching. So, make sure the spot is bright and sunny but avoid afternoon sun rays, especially in the summer.
Soil
Glottiphyllum longum prefers a loamy-based compost with some drainage materials like sand and perlite. Remember, it has fleshy leaves that store water, which is why it doesn’t require moist soil conditions! This is also why the plant is quite prone to root rot, so it is crucial to provide a medium that drains well and doesn’t hold excess water.
Water
Like most of its desert cousins, this peculiar succulent is also drought-tolerant and doesn’t require regular watering. In fact, you can water it once and forget for a couple of weeks, and it will still thrive. So, what you can do is check the soil before watering.
Simply stick your finger one to two inches deep in the soil and see if the soil is still moist. If it is, then hold off on watering!
Temperature
Most of these plants can survive intense heat as desert dwellers. Additionally, some are cold-hardy and can even survive mild winters outdoors. Many will withstand temperatures down to the freezing point as well.
However, even if they can withstand cold temperatures, they should be protected from frost since they struggle to thrive throughout the freezing months and may die.
Maintenance and Care
Fertilizer
Feeding is important before their active growing season or flowering season, and besides that, they are not very nutrient-hungry plants. In fact, they can survive throughout the year with only one feeding! Strange, right? However, always ensure that organic compost is added to the medium for better growth.
Pest and Diseases
These fleshy shrubs can fall victim to pests like mealybugs and other tiny insects that feed on the plant’s sap. These pests leave behind a cotton-like substance, which can lead to fungal infections. To control mealybugs, remove affected leaves and treat the plant with insecticidal soap.
Again, too much moisture can cause fungal infections, so ensure the plant has proper drainage and avoid overwatering.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your hands on some of these interesting succulents and start your very own ones. Also, share the good news with your plant lover friends and enjoy the fun together.
