Tacitus bellus The Superstar Succulent with Dazzling Flowers
Regular price$10.00
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Greetings, fellow plant lovers! Let me introduce you to a true gem of the succulent world: *Tacitus bellus*. This captivating plant, sometimes called the Superstar or Christmas Flower, is native to Mexico and boasts a unique charm. With its intriguing rosettes and vibrant blooms, it's sure to become a favourite in your collection.
Distinctive Features
Rosettes: Forms small, flattened rosettes, reaching up to 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter. These rosettes slowly multiply, creating a charming cluster.
Leaves: Each leaf is smooth, roughly triangular, and just over 25 mm (1 inch) long, with an attractive slate-grey colour. The leaf shape can display subtle variations.
Flowers: Among the most flamboyant in the Crassula family, the flowers are over 2.5 cm (1 inch) across and boast a vibrant deep pink to red colour. They appear on upright, branched stalks (inflorescences) about 10 cm (4 inches) tall. Each flower has 5 petals, forming a star shape, with dark pink/red stamens tipped with white anthers.
Care Tips
Light: While it can tolerate full sun, Tacitus bellus prefers light shade to part shade for optimal leaf colour. In full sun, it will grow more compactly.
Water: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. During the summer, it needs more frequent watering than many other succulents.
Soil: Use a gritty, porous mix with good drainage that still retains some moisture. A blend of equal parts loam and small gravel (such as pumice or lava grit) is ideal.
Temperature: To encourage flowering, provide a cool period of at least a month at 15°C (59°F) or less during the winter. Although generally frost-tender, a dry plant can tolerate brief periods down to -5°C (23°F) or even lower.
Fertiliser: Fertilise only once during the growing season, using a balanced fertiliser diluted to ¼ strength.
Propagation: Easily propagated from offsets or individual leaves rooted in sand or vermiculite.
Additional Notes
The cultivar 'Superstar' is particularly popular, boasting larger rosettes, greener leaves, and even more intensely red flowers.
Be vigilant for mealybugs, which can be attracted to the tightly packed rosettes.
Tacitus bellus is a wonderfully versatile plant, suitable for rock gardens, containers, or as a houseplant on a sunny windowsill. Its low maintenance and striking appearance make it a fantastic choice for any plant enthusiast!
Shipping Schedule and Biosecurity Information
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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.
