Massonia pustulata

Botanical origin of Massonia pustulata

Massonia pustulata is native only to South Africa, with its range centred in the Western Cape and the Cape Floristic Region. It grows during the cooler, wetter part of the year and spends the dry period resting as a bulb below the soil. The species is currently assessed as Least Concern in South Africa.

Care through the growth cycle of Massonia pustulata

• Light: Give very bright light with some direct sun while leaves are present.
• Temperature: Keep temperatures around 10–20 °C. Avoid prolonged temperatures below 1 °C. Keep the plant cool to mild while it is growing and keep the bulb frost-free.
• Humidity: Aim for 40–50% humidity.
• Water: During active growth, water when the gritty soil mix has partly dried and the leaves are still firm and green.
• Potting mix: Use a gritty, fast-draining mix with plenty of sand, grit or pumice.
• Feeding: Feed lightly while the leaves are actively growing.
• Rest period: Reduce watering and pause feeding as the leaves naturally yellow and dry. Keep the dormant bulb dry until fresh growth appears, then resume feeding with active leaf growth.
• Repotting: Repot during dormancy when the mix has become dense or the bulb needs more room.
• Propagation: Grow from seed. Small offset bulbs can be separated from the parent during dormancy when they are present.

Bulb and leaf problems in Massonia pustulata

• Soft bulb or collapsing leaf bases: The bulb may be staying too wet. Remove rotten tissue back to firm healthy material with a clean tool and discard all rot. Let the cut surface dry before watering again. Resume watering only while the plant is actively growing; keep a dormant bulb dry.
• Leaves grow long and lift away from the soil: Light may be too low. Increase brightness while the plant is actively growing.
• Green leaves shrivelling early: The active plant may have become too dry. Resume moderate watering while the foliage is still naturally green.
• Fine mottling or webbing: Check for red spider mite. Confirm mites before treatment and use a suitable product at the repeat interval stated on the label.

Keep Massonia pustulata away from children and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its effects after chewing or swallowing are unclear, and plant material can still cause an upset stomach.
• Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or do not settle.

Massonia pustulata: where the name comes from

Massonia honours Francis Masson (1741–1805), a Scottish plant collector associated with the Cape flora. Pustulata comes from Latin pustulatus, “covered with pustules or blisters”, describing the raised projections on the leaves.

Maarten Houttuyn established the genus Massonia in 1780 in Natural History, volume 2, issue 12, page 424; Carl Peter Thunberg had proposed the name.

Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin first described Massonia pustulata in 1791 in Collectanea, volume 4, page 177.