Adromischus cristatus var. schonlandii

Scientific Name

Adromischus cristatus var. schonlandii (Phill.) Tölken

Synonyms

Cotyledon schonlandii, Adromischus schonlandii

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Kalanchoideae
Genus: Adromischus

Description

Adromischus cristatus var. schonlandii is a dwarf succulent, generally smaller than Adromischus cristatus var. cristatus, distinguished by the horny apical margin narrower than the leaf width and the glandular hairs on the inflorescence and flowers. It has few rosettes on short stems wrapped in a thick coat of reddish, tangled, wiry, hairlike aerial roots. Leaves are reversed-triangular to oblong-elliptic, green to grey-green, usually lacking nice leaf markings. They are up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) long and up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) across. Flowers are grey-green, ovate-triangular, tipped with reddish-white, and appear on up to 8 inches (20 cm) long stem.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 9b to 10b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °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 in spring/autumn and let them dry out between waterings. Adromischus tolerate 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. Frost hardy to 19 °F (-7 °C).

Many species 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.

See more at How to Grow and Care for Adromischus.

Origin

Native to South Africa.