Buchholz's Tylecodon (Pork Butterbush) care

Light

Bright but filtered. Buchholz's Tylecodon burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. In its natural habitat it grows on shaded, south- or east-facing rocky slopes receiving coastal fog rather than intense direct sun. Indoors, provide 4–5 hours of bright, indirect light. Avoid prolonged harsh direct midday sun, which can scorch the smooth bark. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering buchholz's tylecodon: every 10–14 days when actively growing (autumn–spring); once per month or less in summer. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Water thoroughly during the winter growing period, letting the soil dry completely between waterings. In summer, when the plant is largely leafless, reduce to a brief monthly watering. This species is especially sensitive to root rot — err on the side of too dry rather than too wet.

Soil and pot

Buchholz's Tylecodon grows best in very gritty, fast-draining succulent mix. Use a 60:40 blend of coarse horticultural grit or pumice with cactus compost. The Namibian coastal desert origin means extremely well-drained, rocky substrate. A terracotta pot is strongly advised to allow moisture to escape through the walls. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Buchholz's Tylecodon sits happiest at around Under 50% RH; tolerates coastal fog but not stagnant humidity humidity and 10–30 °C (optimal); avoid below 2 °C (50–86 °F (optimal); avoid below 35 °F). Adapted to dry coastal fog, not indoor humidity. Good air movement is essential. Avoid sealed terrariums or humid rooms. The difference between fog-moisture and ambient indoor humidity is significant — fog dries quickly on the plant surface. If you keep the room above 10–30 °C (optimal); avoid below 2 °C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed buchholz's tylecodon sparingly. Feed with a dilute (quarter-strength) low-nitrogen liquid cactus fertiliser once a month during the active growing season (autumn to early spring) only. Do not fertilise during summer dormancy. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on buchholz's tylecodon in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Root rot — Very susceptible due to its desert-fog adaptation. The slightest overwatering in warm, humid conditions causes rapid root collapse. Use terracotta, fast-draining mix, and withhold water completely during warm summer months.
• Sunburn on the stem — Unlike many succulents, T. buchholzianus naturally grows in partially shaded rock crevices. Sudden exposure to intense afternoon sun can scorch the smooth photosynthetic bark. Acclimate slowly to any change in light levels.
• Slow growth discouragement — This species grows very slowly — visible progress over a single season is minimal. Patience is required; rapid growth can be a sign of overwatering or excess nitrogen rather than health.

Propagation

Primarily from seed sown in autumn in fine gritty compost, lightly covered, at 18–20 °C. Stem cuttings taken in early autumn can succeed but are slow; callous for 2–3 weeks before planting in barely moist sandy mix. Avoid cuttings in summer. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Buchholz's Tylecodon is toxic to pets. Contains bufadienolide cardiac glycosides (cotyledoside, tyledosides) common to all Tylecodon species. These neurotoxic compounds cause serious cardiac and neurological symptoms. Well documented in the veterinary toxicology literature and by SANBI; not individually listed in the ASPCA database (which rarely covers rare specialist succulents from southern Africa). Treat as severely toxic to cats, dogs, and other pets. South African farmers routinely remove Tylecodon from grazing land due to livestock deaths. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Buchholz's Tylecodon deep-dive guides

Every aspect of buchholz's tylecodon care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Common buchholz's tylecodon problems & fixes
• Buchholz's Tylecodon watering schedule
• Buchholz's Tylecodon light requirements
• Best soil mix for buchholz's tylecodon
• Buchholz's Tylecodon fertilizing guide
• When to repot buchholz's tylecodon
• How to propagate buchholz's tylecodon
• How to prune buchholz's tylecodon
• What's eating my buchholz's tylecodon?
• Buchholz's Tylecodon growth rate & size
• Buchholz's Tylecodon cold hardiness
• Buchholz's Tylecodon temperature & humidity
• Is buchholz's tylecodon toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is buchholz's tylecodon toxic to cats?
• Is buchholz's tylecodon toxic to dogs?
• All 15 Tylecodon varieties

Featured in these plant shortlists

Buchholz's Tylecodon qualifies for 7 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best drought-tolerant houseplants — Houseplants that prefer to dry out — forgiving of forgotten watering and ideal for travel or busy weeks.
• Best humidity-loving houseplants — Houseplants that thrive in a bathroom, kitchen, or by a humidifier — selected by documented humidity preference.
• Houseplants toxic to cats & dogs — The common houseplants the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs — the ones to keep out of reach, each with its symptoms and a safe alternative.
• Best succulents for beginners — The easiest succulents and cacti to keep alive — selected by documented growth habit, each with the light and watering it actually wants.
• Best small & tabletop houseplants — Compact houseplants that stay under about 40 cm — desk, shelf and windowsill plants that never outgrow a small space.
• Best houseplants for a cool room — Houseplants that tolerate cool conditions down to about 10°C — for an unheated spare room, hallway, porch or a home kept cool.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Buchholz's Tylecodon is also commonly called Buchholz's Tylecodon or Pork Butterbush.

• Crassula Alstonii care — light, water and common problems
• Crassula Marnieriana care — light, water and common problems
• Crassula Columnaris care — light, water and common problems
• All 8452 plant care guides in the Growli library