Devil's Back

Watering is the most important part in taking care of the Devil's Back. The plant should be watered deeply and infrequently. When it does get watered, the soil should be completely saturated and then allowed to dry out before watering it again. This usually is every two or three weeks depending on the season. Over-watering or under-watering the plant can cause it to suffer or die.

The Devil's Back thrives with bright, indirect sunlight. It does not, however, appreciate low light or drafts as it prefers the warmth. It is a great plant for a sunny window in the home or office but needs some protection from the heat of the afternoon summer sun. The plant may become purplish in lower light, while in brighter light it will have more of a burgundy hue.

The Devil's Back should be kept at temperatures between 55 and 80F (12.8 and 26.7 C). It prefers the warmer range but can also withstand colder temperatures as long as it has good draining soil and is not exposed to drafts. Cold drafts can cause the plant to suffer or become damaged.

The Devil's Back does best with average humidity levels between 45 and 55%. It should be kept away from air conditioning units or fans that will dry out the air. The leaves of the plant should not be sprayed with water. Instead, fill a tray with pebbles and water and keep the tray near the plant to provide it with the humidity it needs.

The Devil's Back prefers a slightly acidic, well-draining soil mixture that is high in organic matter. A mix of equal parts potting soil, coarse sand, and coco coir have proven to be an excellent choice for this succulent. It is important to use soil that drains well, as this plant does not like soggy roots.

The Devil's Back should be fertilized every few months with a cactus/succulent fertilizer. Fertilize in the spring and summer months with a diluted solution and cease fertilizing come late summer/autumn. It is best to fertilizer lightly as the plant does not need much and too much fertilizer can cause the leaves to burn or become wilted.

Though relatively pest resistant, there are still a few pests that can cause problems for the Devil's Back. These include mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. Mealybugs look like small white spots on the leaves, and can be taken care of with rubbing alcohol solution. Spider mites are tiny and are usually white or yellow in color. The best way to get rid of these is to offer the plant another source of humidity by misting the leaves regularly during dry winter months. Scale appears as yellowish-brown or black bumps on the leaves. They can be treated with neem oil applied to the affected areas.

The Devil's Back should be repotted every two to three years in the spring. When repotting, make sure to use a pot with good drainage and a cactus/succulent soil mix or a combination of equal parts potting soil, coarse sand, and coco coir. Make sure the plant has room to grow by increasing the pot size incrementally.

The Devil's Back does not need to be pruned; however, there may be some dead or damaged leaves that need to be removed. If any of the foliage starts to look wilted or yellow, it is best to remove these leaves as this is an indication that the plant is not getting enough oxygen or nutrients. To prune, use clean scissors and make sure to cut the stem as close to the ground as possible.

Mulching is not necessary for the Devil's Back, but it is a good idea to put a layer of gravel on the surface of the soil. This helps keep moisture in the soil and also prevents weeds from growing around the plant.

This succulent can easily be propagated from leaf-cuttings. To do so, simply take a cutting from the stem and place it in a small pot with sandy, well-draining soil. Mist the soil occasionally to keep it damp, and new growth should emerge in two to four weeks. It is also possible to propagate the plant from the seeds of the flowers, but this is a more difficult process.

The Devil's Back does not require much support to maintain its shape. If it does get leggy, it is best to attach pea gravel to the base of the leaves in order to prop them up and stabilize them. This will also help ensure adequate airflow around the stem.

The Devil's Back does not require a rest period to maintain its health but it is beneficial to give it a break when needed. During winter months, reduce the amount of water the plant is getting, only watering it occasionally and making sure to water deeply. This will help reduce stress on the plant.

The Devil's Back is not toxic to pets and even if they would eat some of the plant, it would not cause them any harm.