Description Light/Soil/Water Hardiness Chinese Dunce Cap (Orostachys malacophylla var. iwarenge) forms clusters of soft lavender grey rosettes with a delicate, pastel look. The leaves are smooth and slightly pointed, giving the plant a neat, symmetrical shape. Although it looks like a tender succulent, it is hardy outdoors in zone 6 and above. In very cold weather, the top growth can die back, but the plant re-sprouts from the base in spring. In fall, it produces tall, cone-shaped flower stalks up to about 6 inches high, covered in small yellow to white flowers. Each rosette blooms once, but the plant produces many offsets on long stolons, allowing it to spread as a ground cover or trail from containers. It grows best in full sun with excellent drainage and should be watered only during the active growing season, letting the soil dry fully between waterings. Filtered / Partial Sun, Full Sun. Gritty, well-draining soil is essential. Use a cactus and succulent mix with 70%-80% mineral grit such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite. Water infrequently. Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings. Avoid letting water sit in the rosette to prevent rot. Zone 6-10
