Angel wings plant care

If you are one of the lucky people who owns an angel wings plant, then you probably want to learn how to take care of it properly. These plants are beautiful and unique, and they require a little bit of special care in order to thrive. In this guide, we will discuss everything you need to know about taking care of your angel wings plant. We will cover topics such as watering, fertilizing, light requirements, and more!

What kind of flower is an angel’s wing?

Angel’s wing is not a common name for a flower, but neither is there a specific flower with that name. Angel’s wings refers to the unique shape of the plant, which resembles two large angel’s wings. The plant is actually a type of succulent and is native to South Africa.

The plant is an evergreen perennial that has large, even huge leaves distinguished by their gray-white or silver color. The angel leaves are soft, velvety and fluffy to the touch, which is very pleasant when you touch them.

The angel’s wing is only suitable for growing outdoors. It can be grown in soil, or in a specially large pot. 

What kind of soil does an angel’s wing flower need?

The angel’s wing flower needs well-drained soil. You can either buy a potting mix specifically for succulents or make your own by mixing one part potting soil with one part sand. Angel’s wing can easily tolerate bright sun, so it’s hardy. But it does not like moisture-retaining soil, so it is worth considering where it is still better to plant the flower.

Also take care that it has enough space, since the flower grows to a width of 45 cm. 

The best time to plant angel wings

The best time to plant an angel wing is in the spring, when the weather is warmer. Spring will be enough time for the flower to take root and weather the summer drought and winter cold.

You can mix in a pot of loam, potting compost, a third of the volume of the pot of overflow and coarse sand. And the pot itself is then better placed on the gravel, or in another place, but so that the water can flow off it freely.

Angel Wing Care Tips

Proper watering

Watering is the key to keeping your angel’s wing alive and healthy. Be sure to water the plant regularly, making sure the soil is always moist, but this only applies to a young, flowering plant. Once the angel’s wing is mature, it should be watered less frequently. Try to water when the weather is dry and hot, and control the degree of dryness of the soil in which the flower is planted. If it is too dry, watering is necessary; if it is slightly damp, it is better to postpone watering.

The fact is that if you water the flower too often, it can lead to root rot. In this case it will be very difficult to save the plant.

Feeding the flower

Feeding is the most important aspect of caring for the angel’s wing plant. It needs to be fertilized throughout the growing season so that it can bloom and produce lush foliage.

Water-soluble fertilizers, which should contain a medium degree of nitrogen, are good for this purpose. This type of fertilizer is suitable if the ppm in the soil is between 150-200. A soil test can show this for sure. It is also acceptable to use manure tea, fish emulsion and special formulations that can easily be purchased at a gardening store designed for angel’s wing.

Lighting

The angel’s wing plant prefers bright sunlight, but with little shade. It does not tolerate direct sunlight well, so try to place it where it will be shaded most of the day. Because direct sun can burn the leaves of the flower.

But despite the dangers of the sun, it’s important to make sure that your flower gets exactly 2-4 hours of direct sunlight each day. But you have to be careful here so it doesn’t get burned.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for the “angel’s wings” plant is between 21 and 26 degrees Celsius. But the flower can also tolerate cooler temperatures, which are observed at night, from 13 to 18 degrees Celsius.

Transplanting

It’s best to transplant to fresh soil and a bigger pot, every 12-18 months. This will allow the flower to get new nutrients from fresh soil and grow even bigger. After all, in the same pot in which the angel’s wing began its flowering, it will not be able to get bigger, because of the diameter of the bucket. Therefore, if you pick up a larger bucket, the flower itself will become larger.

Trimming the stems

Pruning angel’s wings is critical to the health of the plant. When pruning, be sure to cut just above the leaf node to allow new growth. This is best done as the flower matures. When you already see the leaves hanging down, it’s time to start pruning, but it’s important to wait until early spring. This will allow the stems to become firmer so that pruning will be successful.

Flower propagation

Angel’s wing is usually propagated by stem cuttings. When propagating angel’s wing, use a sharp knife to make an oblique cut just below the node (the place where the leaves grow) on the mother plant. Make sure there are at least one or two sets of leaves on the cuttings.

Angel’s wing can also be propagated by seed. But seeds are a more labor-intensive way to propagate the flower.

The best time to harvest cuttings is early spring or fall.

Instructions for using stem cuttings:

1. When the flower begins to have an active growing season, then you can cut cuttings;
2. Then store the cuttings in a place with good ventilation;
3. Prepare soil suitable for angel’s wing in advance, not forgetting good drainage. Plant the cuttings in the soil;
4. It is very important in the first stages of growing a new flower, not to let it freeze. It will be better to put the pot at home in the warmth;
5. When the soil becomes dry, you can water it. By this method, control the watering process, so as not to give it too much moisture;
6. The new flower will need at least 4 hours a day of direct sunlight.