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Description

Felt plant is one of the most unusual plants to be found in Inland Empire gardens. It develops into a dense tree-like succulent that grows with thick knobby stems and large triangular leaves with wavy margins and felt-like surfaces. Without doubt, it is a sculptural plant that is well suited as an accent element in containers and sheltered courtyards.

Felt plant grows well in sunny locations, well drained soils and with low amounts of supplemental water. Young plants and new growth can be damaged by frost; warm winter microclimates are best for undamaged growth.

Water Needs

Felt plant is well adapted to all parts of the Inland Empire in sunny exposures with normal winter rains and low amounts of summer irrigation. The chart shown below provides a recommended baseline guide to the monthly irrigation schedule and volume of supplemental water needed to maintain healthy growth throughout the average year. It should be noted there are several months indicated by an asterisk (*) when winter rains often provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates Felt plant can grow with varying amounts of water; little supplemental water is needed during summer following the flowering cycle.

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Low Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 1

  Jan* Feb* Mar* Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov* Dec*
Runs per Month 0x to 2x 0x to 2x 0x to 2x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 1x 0x to 2x 0x to 2x
Inches per Run 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1"
 
Inches per Month 0" to 2" 0" to 2" 0" to 2" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 1" 0" to 2" 0" to 2"

Range of supplemental summer water: 7"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-10"

 
0"-2"
0"-2"
0"-2"
1"
1"
1"
1"
1"
1"
1"
0"-2"
0"-2"
  Jan* Feb* Mar* Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov* Dec*
For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, click here.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Succulent
Foliage Character: Succulent
Habit: Upright
Growth Rate: Moderate
Height: 5 ft. - 7 ft.
Width: 5 ft. - 7 ft.
Water Needs: Low 1
Foliage Color: Pale green, Bronze, Blue gray
Flower Color: Yellow
Flower Season: Winter
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil
Exposure Adaptations: Morning sun, Coastal salt air, All day sun, Partial sun
Function: Specimen, Flowering accent plant, Container plant

Maintenance

If desired, prune lightly for cuttings to "root" into new plants in the spring (D).

References

Associations

Plant Lists