Pleiospilos nelii 'Royal Flush' Split Rock
DESCRIPTION
Native to South Africa, Pleiospilos nelii 'Royal Flush' is a type of split rock succulent, so named because of its unique appearance that allows it to camouflage against the granite rocks that cover the ground in its natural habitat. A mesemb, or member of the family of ‘mimicry plants,’ this succulent ranges from pink to purple in color, with thick, oblong leaves coated in a blanket of speckles. Growing three to five inches in width and height, these plants thrive in Zones 10 and above, meaning that they cannot tolerate anymore than a very light and brief frost.
‘Royal Flush’ is adapted to arid desert conditions, and as such requires very bright light, which will in turn help the plant maintain its purple pigmentation. Similarly, they will not tolerate overwatering, and need extremely rapidly draining soil with very minimal organic material – a mix of 75-80% pumice and 20-25% cactus soil should suffice. They also require a deep pot with sufficient drainage, in order to accommodate their long taproot. Plants should be watered about every two weeks in the spring and fall, or only when the soil is completely dry, and should not be watered at all during the summer and winter. Avoid fertilizing altogether, as too much nitrogen can lead to spongy growth predisposed to rot.
Similar to other split rocks and living stones, ‘Royal Flush’s new leaf pairs will emerge from the fissure in the center of the plant. Do not water at all while the plant is splitting, as it is important for the outer leaf pair to shrivel and shed as its stored water is used to sustain the new leaves. Interestingly, ‘Royal Flush’ should never have more than two pairs of leaves at a time – more is a phenomenon called “stacking,” and is evidence that the plant is being watered too heavily instead of pulling from its own reserves, as nature intended!
If you meet these requirements, this plant will reward you with large, dark pink blooms that will open in the afternoon and close by nightfall.
PLANT SIZING & APPEARANCE
Plant sizing is based on the diameter of the nursery pot (2", 2.5", 3", 4" etc), not the plant itself. Plants may be slightly larger or smaller than the pot they are grow in depending on availability or time of year. While we do our best to ship plants as similar to those pictured as possible, please keep in mind that all plants are unique from one to the next, and display color, shape, and growth variation based on current environment, time of year, and other contributing factors. Please note that we ship our plants as dry as possible in the fall and winter months to prevent root rot or freezing. They will plump back up after planting!
Product information
30-Day Guarantee Details
The overwhelming majority of our orders are delivered without any issues. However, due to the complexities of packing and shipping live plants, sometimes things don’t quite go as expected. For these rare instances, we offer this 30 Day Quality Guarantee to all our customers:
Our plants and products are guaranteed to be of excellent quality, well-rooted and disease free. If plants do not arrive in prime condition, customers may choose one of the following options
- Store credit + 10% (e.g.: $6 purchase + 10% = $6.60 store credit)
- Credit card, PayPal, or Amazon Pay refund
- Replacement plants (if possible)
This guarantee applies to all plants and products for up to 30 days after delivery.
All plants are shipped bare-root with the exception of Bulk Succulent Packs, House Plants, and Plant Club Subscription Boxes. House plants and succulents will ship from separate locations and may arrive at different times. Orders ship Monday-Friday each week. Please allow 1-3 business days for your order to be processed. We ship within the USA and its outlying territories ONLY. Read our full policy here.
How We Ship Plants
Ensuring Your Succulents Arrive Safe and Sound
1. Bare-Root Succulents
We gently remove your succulents from their pots, carefully shaking off excess soil to expose the roots. Each plant is inspected for optimal health, and pots saved for re-use. Please note: Houseplants and succulent packs are shipped fully-rooted in pots.
2. Wrap in Tissue
Succulent are wrapped individually or in pairs with soft tissue paper, forming a protective bundle to ensure the leaves and roots stay safe during transit.
3. Pack the Box Securely
We thoughtfully arrange the wrapped bundles in the shipping box, adding extra cushioning to prevent any movement and ensure your plants arrive in perfect condition.
4. Ship Your Order
Once packed, the box is securely taped and sealed to protect your succulents from the elements, ensuring they arrive fresh and healthy at your doorstep.
First Steps
Plant Mail 101
What you can expect when ordering plants from LEAF & CLAY and what to do when they arrive at your doorstep!