Lenophyllum guttatum is a succulent plant native to Mexico and belongs to the Crassulaceae family, specifically the Echeveria genus. It prefers environments with abundant sunlight, coolness, and dryness, while it dislikes waterlogging and humid conditions. It exhibits a growth pattern during the cool seasons and goes dormant during the high temperatures of summer.
The plant typically grows in clusters, reaching heights of 5-20 centimeters, and branches easily. Its leaves are arranged oppositely and range between rhomboid and inverted oval shapes, with rounded tips, measuring 2-4 centimeters in length and 2 centimeters in width. Usually gray in color, the leaves feature purple-red spots. The flowers form in umbel inflorescences at the apex, with each stem bearing 8-15 flowers. The sepals have rounded tips, while the five-petaled flowers are yellow with red lines along the edges.
The stems and branches usually grow vertically upward. The leaves are spatulate, arranged oppositely, and covered with a waxy coating. As the plant grows, the wax coating may develop slight cracks, and irregular spots may appear on the leaves. Under strong sunlight, these spots turn into a beautiful reddish-brown color, while insufficient light causes the spots to become less noticeable. The leaves of the Lenophyllum guttatum are not prone to falling but can be propagated by leaf cuttings.
This plant requires ample sunlight, a cool and dry environment, partial shade, and it dislikes waterlogging and humid conditions. It exhibits a growth pattern during the cool seasons and goes dormant during the high temperatures of summer. Its growth period typically spans from September to June of the following year, with variations depending on environmental conditions. Insufficient sunlight leads to elongated stems and increased distance between leaves, resulting in a loose plant structure, tender stems, and a grayish-green leaf color. In contrast, plants grown in abundant sunlight have compact growth habits, with tightly spaced nodes and leaves exhibiting beautiful reddish-brown spots.
During the growth period, the soil should be kept moist to avoid waterlogging. The Lenophyllum guttatum can tolerate temperatures as low as around 2°C indoors, but lower temperatures can cause frost damage to the growing points of the leaves, leading to dehydration and death. Throughout the winter, watering should be significantly reduced, gradually stopping when temperatures drop below 5°C. During hot summers, plant growth slows down or stops completely. Adequate ventilation, partial shading, and controlled watering are necessary to prevent rotting.
Propagation of the Lenophyllum guttatum is commonly done through division and leaf cuttings. Healthy and plump leaves can be dried and inserted into dry granular soil, followed by minimal watering after a few days. The success rate of propagation is high, as the leaves readily develop small roots and anchor themselves firmly in suitable soil.