Pleiospilos nelii, commonly referred to as “Split Rock”, is a striking succulent native to the arid regions of the Karoo in South Africa. Its uncanny resemblance to local stones is a clever evolutionary camouflage that helps it survive in dry, rocky habitats. With its bi-lobed, cleft body and large daisy-like blooms, it brings both intrigue and charm to any indoor succulent collection.
Distinctive Features
Stone-mimicking appearance: The plant consists of two or four thick, grey-green to purplish leaves that look like cracked rocks, a form of mimicry ideal for predator evasion.
Showy flowers: Produces large, vibrant orange or yellow flowers that emerge from the centre cleft, often blooming in late summer or early autumn.
Slow, compact growth: Grows very slowly, typically reaching up to 10 cm in diameter, with new leaves replacing the old pair annually.
Care Tips
Light: Prefers bright, indirect sunlight but can tolerate some direct morning sun. Ideal near a south or east-facing window.
Water: Water sparingly; allow the soil to dry completely between waterings. Withhold watering during leaf replacement phase in spring.
Humidity: Low humidity is optimal—avoid misting or placing in damp environments.
Media: Use a well-draining cactus or succulent mix, ideally with added perlite or pumice.
Temperature: Thrives between 18–26°C; protect from frost as it is not cold-hardy.
Fertiliser: Apply a diluted cactus fertiliser during the active growing season (summer to early autumn), once a month.
Repotting: Repot only every few years, as it dislikes root disturbance and grows slowly.
Shipping Schedule and Biosecurity Information
expand_more
Dispatch Day: All orders are dispatched on Tuesdays.
Cut-off for Same Week Dispatch: Orders must be placed by Monday 7am (AEST) to be sent that week. Orders placed after this will be dispatched the following Tuesday.
WA, NT & TAS Orders
Cut-off: Orders to WA, NT and TAS must be placed by Friday 7am (AEST) to be included in the following week’s dispatch.
Treatment & Delay: These orders require biosecurity treatment and certification, which is completed each Friday. Please allow an additional 1–2 weeks for processing.
Plant Health Certification (PHAC) Fees
$20 fee applies to WA orders.
$10 fee applies to NT and TAS orders.
This fee is per order (not per plant) and is included in your shipping cost at checkout.
Please note that we operate independently from Collectors Corner. For any enquiries, please refer to our contact page.
