Hydnophytum puffii grown from seed collected in our greenhouse and planted in February of 2024. by our cherished team member, Amanda!  Commonly referred to as the 'Needle Leaf Ant Plant', due to its narrow foliage. Slowly develops a larger caudex with a rough texture.  View our YouTube episode on collecting, harvesting and sowing Ant Plant seeds by clicking on this link, or copy and paste into your browser: https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=heWcHS74KlZ8e0_l&v=6QpiUyi3n6U&feature=youtu.be

Water lightly when the top 1" or so is dry to keep the pot slightly moist, never wet as it is susceptible to rot. As the caudex size increases, water less frequently as it stores more water in its caudex. In its native habitat they live in symbiosis with ants, providing them with a home in exchange for nutrients from their excrement and in turn the ants defend the plant against any threats from pests and predators. Loves high humidity, where it can draw moisture from the air. Bright indirect light is required, this one does not tolerate lower light levels.  Since there are no ants to deposit excrement inside the tuber, fertilize during the growing season with a liquid houseplant fertilizer.