Adenia glauca | World of Succulents

Scientific Name

Adenia glauca Schinz

Scientific Classification

Family: Passifloraceae
Genus: Adenia

Description

Adenia glauca is a very attractive caudiciform succulent plant. It starts forming a fat trunk almost from seed germination and keeps getting fatter as it grows. It will attain a base that is 3.3 feet (1 m) wide with a vine that can run up to 10 feet (3 m). It has an attractive green trunk, the color stops just an inch or so above the soil. The leaves are pale grey-green to glaucous green. They are larger near the base of the stem and smaller near the tips. The creamy-green flowers, are inconspicuous and produced in spring. The male and female flowers are borne on different plants.

Photo via flickr.com

How to Grow and Care

Adenia plants are summer growers and can be watered and fed regularly if planted in fast-draining soil. Let the soil dry between watering if you are in a humid climate.

Most of your growth will be during the warm season and the plant will have the most leaves. The plant will also grow best with the leaves exposed to bright light, but the caudex shaded.

During the cool months protect the plant from frost to keep it alive. The plant normally rests during this period and water should be kept to a minimum. However, you can keep the plant active, if you can keep it above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).

Their sap is poisonous, and they should be handled with caution, particularly when pruning.

Most cuttings do not produce a caudex so it is best to propagate by seeds. Adenias are either male or female so one of each is required to produce seeds… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Adenia.