Umbilicus rupestris aka Pennywort

Taxonomy

Umbilicus rupestris, also known as navelwort, penny-pies, or wall pennywort, is a fleshy, perennial, and edible flowering plant in the stonecrop family Crassulaceae. Its leaves are umbilicate, resembling a navel, and the plant produces bell-shaped flowers in May, with greenish-pink spikes similar to Digitalis. It grows on shady walls or damp rock crevices and is a super rare houseplant that requires very little water to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be placed less than 1 foot from a window.

Common names

Pennywort, Navelwort, Wall Pennywort

How to care for Pennywort

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Pennywort is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Pennywort does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Pennywort prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Pennywort plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Region of origin

Pennywort’s native range is Europe, from Britain and France south and east to N. Africa and the Mediterraean.


More info:
Wikipedia