T-rex Plants Blog

Published weekly. Ish. You can also follow along on Instagram at @trexplants

Growing Lithops gracilidelineata – a Textured Mesemb Gem

When it comes to growing Lithops, the color, pattern, texture, and number of heads that the species tend to develop are all potential factors into the choice of which species to grow. Do you like a lot of deep, bright colors? Do you want your specimens to produce many...

Ariocarpus kotschoubeyanus – Slow Growing, But Rewarding

Popular with collectors lately are the Ariocarpus with the big, lumpy, bumpy leaves - Godzillas and Cauliflowers of the larger species. The variations and cultivars are unique, distinctive, and highly appealing to some. Among all the big and funky looking Ariocarpus,...

What’s Blooming: Springtime Greenhouse Update

It's the most wonderful time of the year: no...not Christmas, but cactus blooming season! At least, the start of it. This is a super busy time of year for anyone who tries to produce their own seed, grows things from seed, or just has a substantial collection. If...
Care Diary: Agave celsii var multicolor

Care Diary: Agave celsii var multicolor

When it comes to excellent landscape Agaves, the Agave "celsii multicolor" is a popular choice. They reach a moderate, manageable size and are extremely attractive in the garden. They're also somewhat uncommon, and typically found as small seedlings in 4" pots if...

Care Diary: Aloe aculeata

Care Diary: Aloe aculeata

I admittedly have an obsession with the aloes I've seen at the Safari Park that look like, as my brain likes to call them, "Dinosaur Skin". The ones at the Safari Park are huge, but the texture seems to occur in a handful of species. I'll be talking about one of my...

Care Diary: How to Grow Ledebouria socialis

Care Diary: How to Grow Ledebouria socialis

Inspired by seeing that Keri of @succulents.and.clay recently picked one up, I thought I'd describe care for one of my favorite not-quite-succulents: Ledebouria socialias. These funky little bulbs are fantastic. I found one little bulb of a Ledebouria socialis years...

Caring for your Frizzle Sizzle: Is It Really Dead?

Caring for your Frizzle Sizzle: Is It Really Dead?

The Frizzle Sizzle is one of those plants that probably should come with WAY better directions than they do.  Every year, usually in winter and spring, new batches of them are released into retail nurseries and everyone gets excited about their new little ridiculous...

Care Diary: How to Grow Aloe castilloniae

Care Diary: How to Grow Aloe castilloniae

Aloe castilloniae is a highly sought after species for true aloe enthusiasts. If you've ever looked it up, particularly as a newbie to the hobby, the price tag even on small or young specimens might raise an eyebrow or two. They are a slow growing species from...

Care Diary: Euphorbia tubiglans

Care Diary: Euphorbia tubiglans

Keeping with the theme of spherical Euphorbias, this little Euphorbia tubligans is a charming little plant I've had since the summer of 2019.  To help keep things confusing, Euphorbia tubligans is just the name I purchased this plant under; Google tells me I should...

How to Grow Euphorbia obesa

How to Grow Euphorbia obesa

I wasn't necessarily the biggest fans of Euphorbias to start. The white, toxic sap is pretty annoying, and they don't produce the big, showy blooms that cacti do.  But, on the other hand, the spines are generally less irritating, or in the case of these little...