While this plant grows in the desert, it is a coastal desert and the plant is not actually succulent, ie. it does not store water. It will die quickly if it completely dries out. So while it can be suitable for xeriscape, it needs a reliable source of water. In its native habitat the taproot grows to tap into deeply located water sources while it develops a network of shallow roots that capture moisture from fog/mist derived from the nearby ocean. This shallow network is usually not observed in plants grown in pots or out of habitat.

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National flower of Namibia.

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This plant can live over a thousand years in its inhospitable desert habitat (Namib desert of S W Africa - Angola). It is the only member of its plant family. Truly a 1 of a kind plant. It is composed of 2 leaves, a stem base, and a tap root. It only grows these 2 leaves in its entire lifetime. Described by MOBOT as 'weirdest terrestrial organism' in the world. KEW calls it 'one of the world's ugliest plants.' Considered 'near threatened' due to infection potential from a fungal source. Eco-tourists flock to its home environment to observe.

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