Adromischus cristatus
| Light | Bright light with some direct sun; a few hours of gentle morning sun suits it well |
|---|---|
| Water | Sparingly; let the mix dry fully between waterings, and keep nearly dry in winter |
| Soil | Gritty, fast-draining mineral mix (see Soil and potting mix) |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; happiest in warm, frost-free conditions (roughly USDA zones 9b–11) |
| Propagation | Leaf cuttings (primary); also by division of clumps |
| Toxicity | Generally regarded as non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Adromischus cristatus is a small, slow-growing, clump-forming succulent from the Eastern Cape of South Africa, prized for its chunky, wedge-shaped leaves with crinkled, wavy tips and the rust-coloured mat of fibrous aerial roots that clothes its short stems. These features give it its common name, the crinkle-leaf plant, and make it one of the most recognisable members of the genus Adromischus.
Description
Adromischus cristatus forms a low, dense cluster of short, upright to sprawling stems rarely more than 10–15 cm tall. The stems are largely hidden beneath a felt of reddish-brown aerial roots — fine, hair-like rootlets that grow directly from the stem and give the plant its distinctive shaggy, coppery look.
The leaves are the main attraction: thick, fleshy and roughly wedge- or fan-shaped, tapering to a broad, distinctly crinkled and wavy outer edge. They are usually a fresh grey-green. In good light the crimped margins become more pronounced, adding to the plant's textured, almost sculpted appearance.
Mature plants send up a slender flower spike bearing small tubular flowers, typically whitish and flushed with pink or pale green at the tips. The blooms are modest compared with the foliage, and most growers keep the species for its leaves rather than its flowers.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa, where it grows in rocky, well-drained ground, often tucked into crevices and among stones that offer a little shade and shelter. Like many South African succulents, it endures long dry spells and draws on its plump leaves to carry it through drought.
Cultivation
Adromischus cristatus is an undemanding, rewarding houseplant so long as its roots are never left sitting in moisture. Grow it in a gritty, mostly mineral mix in a pot with good drainage, and give it bright light with a few hours of gentle direct sun to keep the leaves compact and the crinkled edges well defined. Too little light causes lax, stretched growth (see Common problems below).
Water thoroughly only once the mix has dried out completely, then allow it to dry again before the next watering. In winter the plant rests and needs very little water — keep it cool and nearly dry to avoid rot. It is a naturally slow grower, so repotting is only occasional; refresh the mix and pot on when the clump has clearly filled its container. See Watering for general technique.
Propagation
The usual method is leaf cuttings. Remove a plump, healthy leaf with a clean pull so that the base comes away intact, let the wound callus for a few days, then set it on or just against a barely-moist gritty mix. New plantlets form slowly at the leaf base. Because Adromischus leaves can detach fairly readily, handle plants gently to avoid knocking them off — though those loose leaves are exactly what you use to make more plants. Established clumps can also be divided. See Propagation — cuttings for a full walkthrough.
Common problems
- Rot — the commonest cause of loss, almost always from overwatering or a slow-draining mix; stems and leaves soften and discolour.
- Etiolation — in too little light the plant stretches, the stems elongate and the leaves space out and lose their tight, crinkled character.
- Leaf drop — leaves detach easily if the plant is handled roughly or is stressed; fallen leaves can usually be rooted.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff nestled between the leaves and among the aerial roots) are the most likely visitors; see Pests and diseases.
See also
- Adromischus — the genus overview
- Soil and potting mix · Watering · Propagation — cuttings · Repotting · Pests and diseases