The Fat Plant Fockea

A true gem for lovers of the unusual, this caudiciform plant features a thick, knobbly caudex that serves as a natural water reservoir—its most striking and sculptural feature. From this base, slender green stems emerge and twine gracefully, producing small, star-like greenish-white flowers during the summer months in the Southern Hemisphere.

Well-suited to life in a pot, this plant thrives in full sun and free-draining soil, making it a favourite for collectors of succulents and caudiciforms. The caudex typically grows to 20–30 cm in height, while the vines can reach over 1 metre, offering the flexibility to train, drape, or let roam naturally.

It prefers dry conditions between waterings and should be kept drier during dormancy, making it an easy-care option for those familiar with arid-loving plants. Its slow growth and intriguing form make it an excellent conversation piece for sunny windowsills, greenhouses, or sheltered outdoor spots.

Whether grown as a living sculpture or as part of a collection of oddities, this remarkable plant adds texture, resilience, and a sense of wonder to any space it inhabits.