The hairy edition

This edition deliberately coincides with Movember, a worthy charity to raise funds for men's health. https://uk.movember.com/

But you may be relieved to know there will be no facial hair on this blog but a few select hairy plants instead. Infact, there are quite a number of hairy or fuzzy succulents out there, and their tactile feel adds an extra element of pleasure in growing these plants.

This site, Succulent Alley, describes 23 fuzzy succulents:

https://succulentalley.com/fuzzy-leaf-succulent/ but here are some of mine:

1. Cotyledon tomentosa

This has to be at the top of any list of plants with the softest leaves. They feel as plump as the ears of a rabbit. Also called a Bear's Paw cotyledon, although think more teddy bear than real bear as the velvet soft leaves with soft red-toothed edges are more cuddly toy than grizzly bear! They should have indirect sunlight in summer, but the leaves are fragile so treat them gently. Avoid overwatering, infact, don't feed or water for most of winter until the leaves droop. They produce small bell-like flowers and can grow to about 30cm.

2. Peperomia dolabriformis

This is another peperomia I am quite fond of, also known as the Prayer Peperomia, as the leaves assume a shape like praying hands together. The leaves are not as soft as the Bear's Paw, but are furry to touch. This needs indirect light, and don't overwater esp in winter - let the soil dry out between waterings. Just feed once a year in summer.

3. Scindapsus pictus

I know this Satin Pothos has featured in previous blogs on hanging plants but it deserves a mention here as its name indeed is fitting, as the finely fuzzy leaves are soft as satin or silk (hence its other name, Silk Pothos). It is not as well known as its cousin, the Golden Pothos (or Devil's Ivy), which is a shame as I think it is a far more restrained and elegant plant and deserves a place in your home as it quietly winds its silken tentacles all over your walls.

4. Air Plants

We are coming back to the air-plants that featured at the very start. Remember that Tillandsia are epiphytes – meaning they absorb their nutrients through their leaves instead of through a root system. If you look closely at all air-plants, especially after you have misted or soaked them, they will have a fuzzy sheen. These are trichomes, small outgrowths on the leaves which absorb water and nutrients for the plants. On some, this is more pronounced, like the ones below, which look fuzzy all the time and are softer to touch.

So I hope you enjoyed this little blog on hairy plants and if you did, why not drop a £1 into the Movember kitty for a good cause!

Till next time, happy house-planting, amigos 👦🏻💜🌵