Fockea edulis

Hottentot bread
Develops artistic caudex over time with vining branches above. Collector’s plant for pots with gritty mix.
height 1–6ft
width 1–4ft
tolerates Drought, Heat, Pots
water
needs		 Low
water
info		 This caudiciform is from arid areas of south west africa and as such likes to go totally dry between waterings, making it very low-maintenance. With a range that extends across winter and summer growing areas they are opertunistic growers that will want more water during warm weather.

If you squeeze the trunk and it has a bit of squishyness your plant is ready for some water. If the trunk feels firm it is well hydrated.

If your fockea ever goes too dry it will defoliate, as they do during drought in habitat.

Remember that if kept in a small pot your plant will want more frequent watering.

Protect from extended cold winter rains.
hardy
to		 28F
exposure Part Shade – Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Requires Perfect Drainage
fertilizing All Purpose
origin South Africa
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 13, 16, 17, 19–24

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

Growing Notes

Elevate the sculptural roots a few inches everytime you repot, to expose them over time.
Keep the top pruned consistently throught the year to create a bonsai like crown or let it grow and make long roping vines, best displayed in a cascade or on a small tellise.
Protect the caudex from hot afternoon sun, which can burn the caudex.

Special Interest

Tiny green pinwheel flowers add interest, followed by (if you are very lucky) large green seedpods.

More Info

This plant was grown for an outdoor environment, so we do not recommend moving it inside. In general we do not recommend moving plants raised for an outdoor environment indoors.
This plant would make a good houseplant if it had been grown in a controlled greenhouse with houseplant soil. This ‘greenhousing’ ensures that plants who come home with you are well acclimated to indoor life, and also that they don’t have any pests. It is common for outdoor plants to have other passengers as well, such as earthworms or centipides that don’t necessarily hurt the plant, but aren’t welcome indoors.
If you consider yourself an expert gardener, you can of course attempt to transition this plant indoors. In that case you’ll want to strip all the soil from the rootball, wash the roots clean and then spray the entire plant (leaves, undersides of the leaves, all the cracks and roots) with a mix of one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol in a cup of water. Repot the plant in the appropriate sterile soil/pot and take extra care as it transitions to the indoors, especially looking for pests and treating at the first sign of problems. Always consider the risk that any bugs could also affect other houseplants you have nearby.
For some plants, we sell two versions: outdoor-grown and greenhouse-grown. If you’re looking to grow this plant indoors, feel free to ask our staff if we have a greenhouse-grown version in stock!