Scientific Name
Adromischus cristatus var. clavifolius (Haw.) Toelken
Synonyms
Adromischus clavifolius, Adromischus kesselringianus, Adromischus nussbaumerianus, Adromischus poellnitzianus, Cotyledon clavifolia
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Adromischus
Description
Adromischus cristatus var. clavifolius is a dwarf succulent plant forming a compact cluster of fat, club-shaped leaves. The stem is erect up to 2 inches (5 cm) tall with fibrous reddish-brown roots at the base. Leaves are light green to grey-green, sometimes with darker markings. They are up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long and up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) wide. Flowers are grey-green, ovate-triangular, tipped with reddish-white, and appear on up to 8 inches (20 cm) long stalks.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Many species are easy to grow in any free-draining, gritty compost. Their compact habit allows a collection to be maintained in a small space, and they grow well on any sunny window ledge or the top shelf of the greenhouse. Water mostly from spring to fall and let them dry out between waterings. Adromischus tolerates cool, frost-free conditions during the winter if kept dry. It is as well to keep water off the foliage during the winter. Mealybugs and vine weevils can be discouraged with a systemic insecticide.
Adromischus can be propagated from a single leaf, which should be placed against the side of the pot so that the stem end is just touching the compost. Some species drop their leaves easily, and although each leaf will form a new plant, it can be a challenge to grow a large specimen. In other cases, leaves for propagation must be carefully detached with a sharp knife.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Adromischus.
Origin
Native to South Africa.
Links
- Back to genus Adromischus
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
