Why Should You Grow Succulents in Genus Kumara?

If you don’t want to get confused about a lot of succulent plants in only 1 genus about which one to grow, genus Kumara is the genus you should look at. Genus Kumara contains only 2 plants. As both these species produce lovely flowers, you can grow one of them or both and have a colorful living corner in your home or garden. Asphodeloideae, the subfamily of Kumara genus contains these two species and is native to South Africa’s Western Cape Province.

About Genus Kumara – Is it the Same as Sweet Potato or Aloe?

There is confusion between genus Kumara and the common crop Sweet Potato, which is a fatorite of many foodies. It’s because sweet potatoes are also called Kumara in the Maori and some other Polynesian languages.

Other times, it’s confused with Aloe. It’s because Kumara was previously a member of the genus Aloe. However, it was revealed from studies that these two species contain clades that are totally separate from each other. Thus, the genus Kumara was separated and considered a different genus.

Kumara has only two species, viz. K. plicatilis and K. haemanthifolia, and is the second smallest succulent genus, the first being Aristaloe, containing only 1 species, A. aristata. Both the Kumara species typically have strap-shaped grey leaves in a fan-like two-row pattern. Both of them are indigenous to almost the same mountain range in the southwestern end of the Western Cape, South Africa. But while K. plicatilis is tall tree-like and occurs on the lower mountain slopes, K. haemanthifolia is small and doesn’t have a distinct stem, and is found on high mountain peaks.

Succulents in Genus Kumara

Kumara haemanthifolia: Previously known as Aloe haemanthifolia, K. haemanthifolia is a rare succulent with tongue-shaped leaves growing in a fan shape. It’s endemic to a few high, inaccessible highlands in the Fynbos territory of the Western Cape region of South Africa. It looks like a miniature version of its tree-like family member K. plicatilis. The greyish-green leaves have distinct edges.

At the end of the winter, K. haemanthifolia rewards you with bright orange flowers growing in dense racemes, around 50 cm (20 inches) high.

Kumara plicatilis: Also known as Fan Aloe, K. plicatilis is native to a few mountains in the Fynbos ecoregion of the South Africa’s Western Cape province. It’s a multi-branched succulent growing as a small tree or shrub with grey stems and bunches of leaves placed in 2 opposite rows. This plant can grow up to 16 feet (4.9m) high. Its leaves are grey-green or blue-grey, round-tipped, fleshy, tongue-shaped and can be 12 in (30cm) long and 1.6 in (4cm) wide. Sometimes, the leaf tips show shades of orange.

K. plicatilis blooms in spring when an unbranched inflorescence grows out of each leaf cluster and bears an open terminal cluster of tubular, reddish orange flowers that can reach up to 2in (5cm) of length.

Growing and Caring for Kumara Succulents

Growing Kumara plants is quite easy, as they can grow well in various climatic conditions. You should just take care not to leave them sitting in stagnant water and should not overwater them.

K. haemanthifolia

Kumara haemanthifolia is hardy to USDA hardiness zones from 10b to 11b

Temperatures: K. haemanthifolia prefers warmer temperatures from 21 to 27 °C (70 to 80 °F) but can stand a temperature drop up to 4.5 °C (40 °F).

Soil: Plant your K. haemanthifolia in a fast-draining potting mix with one-third pebbles or sand.

Watering: As with most succulents, the Kumara plants too need very little water and overwatering is strictly a no-no as it can cause root rot. Allow the soil to dry out totally between waterings. Once it’s dry, water profoundly and then let it drain totally.

Light: As with all Aloe plants, K. haemanthifolia too needs bright, intense light. It can stand full summer sun, once acclimated. Provide bright light in winter.

Fertilizer: Feed your K. haemanthifolia only in summer with a succulent fertilizer. Never feed in the winter as the plant is dormant then.

Repotting: K. haemanthifolia doesn’t grow very fast and so, repotting should be done only rarely. However, repot it in spring when it may tip over its pot and stops growing. If your plant is large, divide the root ball carefully.

K. plicatilis

K. plicatilis is hardy to USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b.

Temperature: Kumara plicatilis prefers warmer temperatures from 21°C to 27°C (70°F to 80°F) but will survive even if the temperatures drops down to 4.5 °C (40°F).

Light: As with all Aloe plants, K. plicatilis also needs bright, intense light. It can stand full summer sun, once acclimated. Provide bright light in winter.

Watering: It’s the same as K. haemanthifolia.

Fertilizer: Fertilize only in spring and summer with fertilizer designed for cacti and other succulents.

Repotting: This is the same as it’s for K. haemanthifolia.

Bottom Line

Kumara succulents need very little care, are forgiving to almost all mistakes of a new gardener, are beautiful and can be grown indoors as well as outdoors. In short, they are ideal for a beginner not to mention for veterans too. If you want to try your hands on succulent gardening, Kumara succulents can be your right pick. So, grow them and share your experiences with us in the comments below. Also, read other articles on this website as they may be of a lot of help to you in your journey of succulent gardening.