Why is my plant shriveling in summer?

It is perfectly normal for the plant to shrink and look wrinkled as it enters its summer dormancy.

How often should I water it?

Water sparingly in autumn and winter, and keep it completely dry from late spring through summer.

Plant guide

Cone plant.

Conophytum bilobum

Pronounced koh-no-FY-tum by-LOH-bum

Conophytum bilobum — Photo by Cheng-Tao Lin (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The cone plant is a charming, small succulent that forms unique, fleshy lobes. It is a member of the ice plant family and hails from South Africa. You will love its compact size and the way it blooms with daisy like flowers.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Bright, indirect light is best to prevent scorching.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 3 inches
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late summer to autumn

Care

Keep this plant in a well draining succulent mix and avoid getting water on the leaves to prevent rot. Watch for shriveling during its summer dormancy, which is normal, but provide light water if it looks excessively dehydrated. Ensure it gets plenty of airflow to keep the plant healthy.

Watering: Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between sessions.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, diluted succulent fertilizer only during the active growing season.
Pruning: Only remove dead or dried leaves after the plant has finished its seasonal growth cycle.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its current container.
Soil: Gritty, well draining cactus mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 40%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years with proper care.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

The plant has completely filled the container space.
The soil has broken down and no longer drains quickly.
The plant has become unstable in its current pot.

Safety

People: There is no evidence of significant toxicity, but it is not intended for consumption.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The small, succulent bodies may be mistaken for snacks by toddlers, so keep them out of reach.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be kept away from food preparation areas.

How to identify it

Fleshy, heart shaped succulent leaves
Smooth, light green epidermis
Small, daisy like yellow flowers
Compact, clumping growth habit

Height: 0.03 to 0.08m
Spread: 0.05 to 0.15m
Leaves: green, blue-green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 1 to 3cm
Fruit: brown, Late autumn

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
DehydrationUncommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: autumn
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a bright, cool location and provide light water only when the soil is completely dry. Ensure the plant stays above freezing temperatures at all times.
In containers: It is an excellent container plant that prefers shallow, wide pots with very porous soil.

Division

1. Gently unpot the plant after the flowering season.
2. Carefully separate the clusters by hand.
3. Allow the cut surfaces to callous for a few days.
4. Replant in fresh, dry, gritty succulent mix.

Seed

1. Sow seeds on the surface of fine, sandy soil in autumn.
2. Mist lightly and cover with a clear lid to maintain humidity.
3. Provide bright, indirect light until germination occurs.

Group these with other winter-growing succulents to ensure you do not accidentally water them during their summer rest.

Grows well with

Lithops · They share similar water and light requirements in a succulent collection.
Pleiospilos · This companion thrives in the same gritty, well-draining soil mix.

Similar species

Conophytum calculus · It has a similar growth habit but with more rounded, pebble-like bodies.
Conophytum minutum · This is a smaller relative that shares the same seasonal growth cycle.

Science

Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Conophytum
Order: Caryophyllales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: South Africa, specifically the Northern and Western Cape provinces.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as threatened, but wild collection is discouraged to protect natural populations.

It survives in rocky, arid habitats by storing water in its succulent leaves and retreating underground during the hottest months.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, moths
Uses: rock garden specimen, container plant, collector succulent

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 3/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why is my plant shriveling in summer?: It is perfectly normal for the plant to shrink and look wrinkled as it enters its summer dormancy.
How often should I water it?: Water sparingly in autumn and winter, and keep it completely dry from late spring through summer.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Conophytum refers to the cone-like shape of the plant bodies, while the species name bilobum describes the two-lobed appearance of the leaves.

Good to know

The name comes from the Greek words for cone and plant.
It is native to the arid regions of South Africa.
The plant body consists of two fused leaves that split to reveal new growth.
It requires a strict dry period in summer to survive.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Keep your cone plant growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.