With their cute appearance, bunny succulents have become very popular in recent years. The plant takes its name from the fact that the top looks like a tiny bunny head with a pair of fuzzy green ears growing out the top. The plant is part of the genus Monilaria, which is a succulent that grows in clumps and is native to South America. The plant can be found growing from Vanrhynsdorp to Klawer in the Western Cape and typically grows in quartz patches.

The Bunny succulent features a fat stem that pops out of the ground and looks like a ginger root, with two kinds of leaves growing from the very tip of the stem. The first set of leaves begins to form from the top of the root. These leaves are usually tightly set together and are around ten millimetres in diameter. A fuzzy brown sheath entirely covers the leaves.

The Bunny Succulent plant grows in the winter months, and the leaves start to die back in the summer. Towards the middle of the summer, the bunny succulent grows a single flower. This bloom is white with a yellow center and reaches up to four centimeters in diameter.

The small, crystalline cells that cover the leaves give them a fuzzy appearance. These cells are special storage cells that are rich in sugars. These sugars help the plant to retain moisture for long periods of time, allowing it to thrive in dry environments. The tops of the upper leaves begin to develop a reddish hue during their winter growth. As the leaves grow, they curl under slightly, giving them the appearance of bunny ears.

Monilaria obconica

Bunny Ear Succulent, String of Pearls, Beaded Vygie, Beaded Ice Plant