Dunce cap care guide
Orostachys
Also known as: Chinese dunce cap, Orostachys japonica, Orostachys iwarenge
Pets and children
We haven't been able to confirm how this plant affects pets or small children. If any is eaten, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
How often to water Dunce cap
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 10 days
- A spring-and-fall grower: in spring, water well when the soil dries; in summer it slows and rots easily, so about every two weeks in the evening, as a guide.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 7 days
- Its main season: water well whenever the soil dries, as a guide; a rosette that flowers in fall dies, but its offsets carry on.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every month
- It rests as tight winter buds, so keep it nearly dry with a light watering about once a month on a mild day, as a guide.
Light and placement for Dunce cap
Outdoors in sun and moving air all year, as a guide: native to Japanese hills and rocks, it does better outside than in a room, wants shade from afternoon sun and long rains in midsummer, and stretches out of shape in low light.
Overwintering Dunce cap
Overwintering guide: −10°C (14°F) or above
Very hardy, generally to about -10°C: it closes into cone-like winter buds and can stay outdoors, taking snow and frost, though as a guide keep it under the eaves so it is not soaked by long winter rains.
Fertilizing and repotting Dunce cap
Fertilizer
It needs almost none: diluted liquid fertilizer once or twice in spring and fall as a guide, since more makes soft growth that suffers in summer.
When to repot
Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep), Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Common problems with Dunce cap
- In hot, humid summer weather the rosettes rot and melt away.
- The winter buds are mistaken for a dead plant and thrown away.
- Grown indoors, it lacks light and the rosettes open up and fall apart.
Tips for growing Dunce cap
- The mother rosette dies after fall flowering, so keep the offsets around it going.
- Chinese dunce cap spreads by runners whose offsets are easy to detach and grow.
- A shallow pot with a gritty mix helps it through the humid summer.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
