Adromischus cooperi
| Light | Bright light with a few hours of direct sun; some shade from scorching midday sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly; let the soil dry fully between waterings, and keep drier in winter |
| Soil | Gritty, fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; happiest in USDA zones 9b–11 |
| Propagation | Leaf cuttings (very reliable); also stem cuttings and seed |
| Toxicity | Generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Adromischus cooperi is a small, clump-forming succulent from South Africa with plump, grey-green leaves heavily mottled in purple and finished with a wavy, flattened tip. Those chunky spotted leaves, which resemble speckled eggs, have earned it the affectionate common name plover eggs (Afrikaans knuppelplakkie). It is one of the most widely grown members of the genus Adromischus and a favourite among collectors of chubby-leaved Crassulaceae.
Description
Adromischus cooperi is a low, slowly clustering succulent that rarely exceeds 10 cm in height. It forms short, often barely visible stems bearing rosettes of thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are the main attraction: swollen and rounded to obovate, grey-green to blue-green, and generously blotched with reddish-purple to maroon markings that intensify in bright light. Toward the tip each leaf broadens and flattens into a wavy, undulating edge, giving the plant its distinctive crimped, spotted look.
In time the plant sends up a slender flowering stalk carrying small tubular flowers, typically greenish-white and flushed with pink or purple at the lobes. The blooms are modest compared with the foliage, but they confirm the plant's place among the flowering Crassulaceae.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to South Africa, where it grows in the semi-arid interior of the Eastern Cape. It typically tucks itself among rocks and into gritty, well-drained pockets of soil, often sheltering in the light shade of larger shrubs. In habitat it endures long dry spells and receives most of its moisture seasonally, a rhythm worth keeping in mind when watering plants in cultivation.
Cultivation
Adromischus cooperi is an undemanding and rewarding houseplant, provided it is not overwatered — soggy roots are the fastest way to lose one. Grow it in a snug pot filled with a gritty, mostly mineral mix, and give it bright light with a few hours of gentle direct sun to keep the leaves compact and their purple mottling strong. In too little light the plant stretches and the markings fade.
Water thoroughly only once the soil has dried out completely, then allow it to dry again before the next drink. Ease off through the cooler months, when the plant is semi-dormant and needs very little. Protect it from frost and from prolonged wet cold. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
This is one of the easiest succulents to multiply. A single healthy leaf, gently twisted off so the base comes away cleanly, will often root and sprout a tiny plantlet after being left to callus for a day or two and set on the surface of a barely moist, gritty mix. Stem cuttings root just as willingly, and the species can also be grown from seed, though vegetative methods are far quicker and truer to the parent. See Propagation — cuttings and Propagation — seed for full walkthroughs.
One quirk worth noting: leaves detach very readily, so plants can look sparse if handled roughly — but every dropped leaf is a potential new plant.
Common problems
- Rot — almost always from overwatering or a mix that holds moisture; leaves and stems go soft and translucent from the base.
- Etiolation — too little light stretches the stems and washes out the purple mottling, leaving the plant loose and pale.
- Leaf drop — the fleshy leaves are loosely attached and can fall at the slightest knock; usually harmless, and the fallen leaves readily propagate.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the leaf axils and roots) and the occasional infestation of vine weevil or root mealybug are the usual troublemakers. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Adromischus — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — cuttings · Propagation — leaf · Repotting · Pests and diseases