SKU: 58922790998
mesembs succulents

mesembs succulents Split Rock Succulent 'Pleiospilos nelii' mesembs - Fast Delivery

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Description

mesembs succulents Split Rock Succulent 'Pleiospilos nelii' mesembs - Fast DeliveryThe split rock succulent, known as Pleiospilos nelii mesembs, is an absolutely stunning succulent plant that belongs to the Mesembryanthemaceae family! "Mesembs" is a common term used to refer to plants in this family, which includes various succulents known for their unique adaptations to arid environments. The split rock succulent has several other common names, such as mimicry plant, cleft stone, or living rock cactus. It gets its name because its

The split rock succulent, known as Pleiospilos nelii mesembs, is an absolutely stunning succulent plant that belongs to the Mesembryanthemaceae family! "Mesembs" is a common term used to refer to plants in this family, which includes various succulents known for their unique adaptations to arid environments. The split rock succulent has several other common names, such as mimicry plant, cleft stone, or living rock cactus. It gets its name because its leaves split open, revealing a cleft in the center. It looks like a rock that has been split in half! 

The split rock plant and Lithops are often confused because of their striking similarities. The biggest distinction between the two is in how they blossom. Both plants bloom in the early fall, but Split Rocks produce multiple flowers in a single reproductive cycle, whereas Lithops only produces one flower at a time. The split rock succulent produces daisy-like flowers in a variety of colors, including orange, white, yellow, and magenta.

Native to South Africa, this egg-shaped succulent has two gray-green, thick, fleshy leaves that cleft down the center. New leaves grow at right angles to the split.It can typically grow up to 4 inches tall and 8 inches wide. This split rock plant also comes in the lovely Pleiospilos nelii "Royal flush" variety, which has deep purple to reddish foliage. 

In terms of propagation, split rock plants can be propagated through seeds or by dividing the offsets that grow from the base of the parent plant. Additionally, this split rock is a friendly plant for both humans and pets, making it a popular choice among plant enthusiasts. 

Watering Needs

When it comes to watering split rock succulents, it's important to remember that they have lower water needs than other succulents. These rock plants are adapted to arid environments, so they prefer infrequent watering. It's best to allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent overwatering, which can lead to root rot or bursting your concrete leaf plant. 

One helpful tip is to use the "soak and dry" method. This means thoroughly watering your split rock plant until water drains out of the bottom of the pot through drainage holes, and then waiting for the soil to dry out completely before watering again. This helps mimic the natural rainfall patterns these succulents are accustomed to. Remember, it's always better to go underwater than to overwater when it comes to split rock succulents! 

In addition to monitoring the soil moisture, it's also important to consider the environmental conditions. During the active growing season, which is typically spring and summer, split rock succulents may require more frequent watering. However, during the dormant period in fall and winter, they require less water. 

Remember, a healthy Split Rock typically has two sets of leaves. If it develops more than two sets or shows cracking on its epidermis, it's time to stop watering. Avoid watering for at least a week if you notice these signs. 

Light Requirements

When it comes to light requirements, split rock succulents thrive in partial shade to full sun. They prefer a sunny spot where they can receive ample sunlight, but it's important to protect them from intense, direct sunlight, especially during the hottest parts of the day. 

A great location for split rock succulents is near a south or east-facing window, where they can receive bright, filtered light throughout the day. Consider purchasing grow lights if your Split Rock can't get enough light from a south-facing window or any other location. These can provide the necessary light intensity and duration for healthy growth. Just make sure to position the lights at an appropriate distance from the plants to avoid burning or overheating. 

Remember, each plant is unique, so it's important to observe your split rock succulents and adjust the lighting conditions accordingly.

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs 

When it comes to soil and fertilizer needs, split rock plants prefer a well-drained soil mix specifically formulated for succulents. This type of soil allows excess water to flow out easily, preventing root rot. You can find pre-made succulent soil mixes at your local garden center, or you can create your own by combining equal parts of potting soil, perlite, and coarse sand.

Here at Planet Desert, we have a specialty-formulated succulent potting mix that contains 5 natural substrates and organic mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your succulent to thrive. 

As for fertilizing, Pleiospilos nelii split rock succulents have low nutrient requirements. It's best to use a balanced natural NPK fertilizer specifically formulated for succulents, and only apply once a year during the active growing season, which is typically early spring. Remember, it's better to under-fertilize than to over-fertilize, as excessive nutrients can harm these plants. 

In general, it's important to avoid overfeeding split rock succulents, as they are adapted to nutrient-poor environments. Too much fertilizer can lead to weak growth and other problems. Always monitor the health and growth of your plants and adjust the fertilization routine as needed. If the leaves start turning yellow or the rock plant appears stressed, it may be a sign of nutrient imbalance or over-fertilization. 

Hardiness Zone & More

Split rock succulents are typically indoor plants and generally hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. They thrive in warm climates and can tolerate temperatures ranging from 50°F to 85°F. If you live in a region with extreme temperatures or higher humidity levels, you can still grow split rock succulents indoors or in a controlled environment, such as a greenhouse or terrarium, where you can maintain the ideal conditions for their growth. Just remember to monitor the temperature and humidity levels to ensure they stay within the recommended range. 

In terms of humidity, the rock plants are adapted to arid conditions and prefer low to moderate humidity levels. They can tolerate dry air and do not require high levels of humidity. In fact, excessive humidity can increase the risk of fungal diseases and rot. It's best to provide good air circulation around the split rock to prevent moisture buildup. 

Don't miss out on adding the Pleiospilos nelii - Split rock succulent to your garden! Order now and enjoy its beauty for years to come. 

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isaaceluna
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Great for Hawaii!
Style: SPF 50, Size: 3 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
I spent hours trying to find a sunscreen that was “reef safe” since I was going to be spending a lot of time near corals and this was the best one I found. It doesn’t have any of the 3 ‘O’ ingredients that are known to damage reefs. And the zinc is non nano as well. Sunscreen goes on easily. One of the better mineral sunscreens I’ve tried, this one actually smooths out like lotion and feels hydrating. Only leaves a slight pinkish hue, but that is inevitable with mineral sunscreens (that’s literally how they work in reflecting the sun). I could feel it on even in the ocean so I get protected, but still reapplied almost every 2 hours. No burns! I didn’t use it on my face but my partner did and it never stung his eyes nor caused any breakouts!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2021
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sarah b
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 4
Stick format is thick and difficult to rub in moderate climates
Style: SPF 50, Size: 1 count (Pack of 1)
I wanted to like it because the small stick format seemed very convenient to keep in my bag for emergency sunscreen reapplication with no chance of leaks. But I think I have learned my lesson about stick sunscreen - in order to hold together in a stick, it has to have a thick and chalky consistency. Which makes it hard to apply and hard to rub in. It's so thick that if I rub the stick over my entire face it feels like I'm applying way too much with a super heavy white cast, and if I dab here and there and try to spread it around, it's so thick it doesn't feel like it spreads into good coverage. The scent is fine. Update: I have found a specific use case for this - in extreme UV conditions like the equatorial tropics in midsummer, it's a good base layer under a more liquid mineral sunscreen, to add extra protection to the most exposed skin, like tops of shoulders, chest, nose and top of forehead. The thickness makes it protect better. It also softens a little and rubs in better in hot temps.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2025
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hilary
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Needs to be warmed, but works great for quick face re-application
Style: SPF 50, Size: 1 count (Pack of 1)
I love mineral sunscreen, it really works the best. But I also do not love mineral sunscreen because it's hard to apply. I don't think it matters what you do, they're just always difficult to apply and always leaving the white. This one isn't much different. I'm a scuba diver and my face sunscreen is washed off quickly doing multiple dives. I also get a weird "mask sunburn" if I don't reapply... but since I'm a diver I can't bring myself to buy or wear sunscreen that's not reef safe into the ocean. I was unsure if this would work because it's pretty solid. I threw it in my bag and once the sun warmed it up a little, I was able to apply it fairly easily between dives. I don't think it works unless it's warmed a bit first, but I like it for this purpose.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2025
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Trevor Vicars
New York, US
★★★★★ 5
Good sunscreen
Style: SPF 50, Size: 3 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
It works and it's vegan what's more to say. I repurchase this often.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2025
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nphoton
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 3
I Wanted to Like It
Style: SPF 50, Size: 1 count (Pack of 1)
I really wanted to like it because of the great reviews it gets with backpackers and generally with people that don't like "greasy hands syndrome" after applying sunscreen. But after using a stick I found that it's just not that good. The good: small, lightweight container. Not greasy. Good protection, I was in the sun all day hiking multiple days straight and only put on sunscreen twice per day and I didn't have any burning... and I burn easily. The bad: Value: the $12.53 sunscreen container only lasted about 8 days. And that was just my arms, neck, and half my face since I wore a shirt and long pants and a wide brim hat every day when hiking. I would expect this amount of sunscreen to last a lot longer than that on such a limited area. I'm not a big person either. Application, chafing: it's the opposite of greasy, almost chalky. You use the stick to apply to your skin in stripes, then you have to "blend it in" by rubbing with the backs of your hands so your palms don't get chalky. Since the stick is so dry this requires a fair amount of force and it chafes as you rub it around. When your skin a bit sandy it hurts. Application, crumbling: on a chilly but sunny morning, about 45 F, I applied sunscreen and small chunks of the stick crumbled off. I watched precious chunks of the already overpriced sunscreen drop to the ground. Residue: while it's not greasy, it's physical sunblock so it gives your skin the characteristic whitish sparkle. That's to be expected. But what I didn't foresee is it will rub off on anything your skin touches. My gear had white chalk-like marks (technically titania powder?) on my shirt collars, backpack straps, sunglasses, and a few other high-touch items. Overall I think it's a neat idea. I'm not overly disappointed with my purchase. But for $12.50 I expect sunscreen to be easier to apply and for the container to last longer than about 8 days. I can't burn $50/month in the summer months when a single container of chemical sunscreen will do the job. Pro tip: you can buy food-safe 3 oz TSA travel containers. Load one of those up with chemical sunscreen and you have something that beats this in every way except for the greasiness, which you can mitigate by picking a lower SPF sunscreen (the 30 SPF you wear is infinitely better than the 50 SPF you skip!).
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Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2025

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