Conophytum Uviforme

PLANT

Conophytum uviforme is a miniature mesemb from South Africa, forming tight clusters of paired, grape-like bodies that sit low and compact in the substrate. Each head is made of two fused leaves with a clean central fissure, an adaptation that minimizes exposure and water loss in harsh, arid habitats. Its surface is smooth and matte, shifting between soft green and blue-green tones, and the plant slowly builds a dense mound as it offsets over time. With a winter-growth rhythm and a summer rest, it embodies quiet precision, a living stone form shaped by scarcity and patience.

Water Needs: Very low. Water sparingly during the active growing season (autumn to spring), only after the substrate has dried out completely. Keep almost fully dry during summer dormancy.

Light Requirement: Bright indirect light to gentle direct sun. Good light keeps the bodies compact and well-colored. Avoid prolonged harsh midday sun, especially in warmer months.

Maintenance: Low. Requires a very well-draining mineral substrate, good airflow, and strict seasonal watering. Overwatering, especially in dormancy, is the main risk.

Common Names: Cone Plant

Family: Aizoaceae

Origin: Winter-rainfall regions of South Africa

Cold Tolerance: Low. Protect from temperatures below 5°C and avoid frost.

Heat Tolerance: Excellent. Handles high temperatures well when kept dry and shaded during dormancy, with proper ventilation.

CERAMIC

Planted in a handcrafted Neraw ceramic vessel with a rounded, stone-like silhouette and a deep volcanic finish that shifts between charcoal, obsidian, and subtle mineral speckling. The cratered, tactile surface recalls weathered lava rock, amplifying the plant’s “living pebble” character and grounding the composition in a geological mood. The low, open form frames the cluster tightly, creating a miniature landscape where the plant reads like a natural formation emerging from a dark basin. Together, plant and ceramic form a quiet micro-terrain, dense, restrained, and sculptural, where texture and stillness carry the presence.