Baby Sun Rose in 6″ Pot

A prostrate, mat-forming succulent perennial with fleshy, trailing stems 30–60 cm (1–2 ft) long, rooting at nodes where they touch soil. Height only 10–15 cm (4–6 in); spread 30–60 cm (1–2 ft) or more. Stems are green to purplish, four-angled to rounded, brittle and snap easily. Leaves are opposite, simple, heart-shaped to ovate, 1–3 cm × 0.5–2 cm, glossy bright green (variegated form ‘Mezoo’ has creamy-white margins), succulent, with tiny papillae that sparkle in sun. Flowers are small daisy-like asterisks, 1–2 cm across, bright magenta-pink to reddish-purple with a yellow center; they open in sun (midday) and close at night and on cloudy days. Bloom period: spring to autumn, nearly year-round in warm climates. Fruit is a small capsule with brown seeds.

Quick care: full sun to light part shade—best flower and compact growth in ≥6 hrs sun; tolerates partial shade (especially in hot climates) but gets leggy. Warm 18–27 °C (65–80 °F); not frost-hardy—damage below ∼0 °C (32 °F); overwinter indoors at 5–10 °C (41–50 °F) in a bright spot. Soil: gritty, sandy, very well-drained (cactus/succulent mix 50% + coarse sand or perlite 50%); pH 6–7.5. Water sparingly—let soil dry out completely between waterings; water deeply then allow to dry. In summer water every 7–10 days in ground, 5–7 days in pots; reduce to very light in winter (keep almost dry). Overwatering = rot. Feed very lightly in early spring (dilute low-nitrogen cactus fertilizer) or skip. Excellent for hanging baskets, rock gardens, walls, and as a groundcover for erosion control. Propagate easily by 8–12 cm stem tip cuttings—let callus 1–2 days, stick in dry gritty mix, root in 1–3 weeks; also roots wherever stems touch soil. Generally pest-free; watch for mealybugs and root rot. Non-toxic, salt- and heat-tolerant; can be invasive in moist coastal areas.