Adromischus is a genus of dwarf succulents that have a widespread range throughout southern Africa. In this blog, we’ll briefly explain how to best care for, grow, and propagate Adromischus.
Light intensity
In nature, Adromischus generally grow at the base of large shrubs where they can receive enough light while still being somewhat protected from some of the sun’s harshness. They prefer morning and evening sun, but might be damaged by the heat during mid-day.
In cultivation, they should therefore be kept under no more than 40% shade cloth. This encourages stronger colouration and a more compact growth form while preventing sun damage. If they are being kept outdoors, but not in a greenhouse, then full morning sun is suitable.
Soil medium
Adromischus are not fussy plants when it comes to soil mixes. They will survive in pretty much any mix that drains well. To get them to thrive, plant your Adromischus in a well-drained sand based mixture. You can add some perlite or pumice to assist with drainage. Coco peat is also a good addition. These plants prefer a sandy mix as their roots are quite fibrous, and do not fare well in overly gritty mixes.
Water
Adromischus can be watered year-round, though care should be taken to let the soil dry out somewhat between every watering. This is particularly important in winter when it’s cold. This genus can be quite sensitive to overwatering, and tends to suffer from leaf and root rot if the soil stays wet.
Growing season
In cultivation, these succulents can grow throughout the year if conditions are relatively mild. They do however slow down during the peaks of summer and winter, when it is either incredibly hot or cold.
Frost resistance
Due to their thick, fleshy leaves, Adromischus do not tolerate frost well. Make sure to cover your plants in frost netting or keep them indoors during the coldest parts of winter. Some species can tolerate frost if they are kept completely dry in winter.
Propagating Adromischus
Adromischus is one of the easiest genera of plants to propagate. These plants can be propagated by removing offsets (pups), by taking leaf cuttings, or through seed. It is advisable to only propagate this genus during autumn and spring.
For offset propagation, simply use a sterilized sharp knife to remove the smaller plant from the main stem. Make sure it is at least one third of the size of the main plant before removing it, otherwise it may struggle to survive. Let this cutting dry for two weeks before planting it in the same soil as the mother plant.
For leaf propagation, one can easily remove a leaf off the main stem by gently twisting it off. Make sure it gets a little bit of stem tissue on the portion that was attached to the main plant to increase your chances of success.
Seeds should be sown in autumn. Plant them in a loamy mix in an airtight container. Once most of the seeds have germinated, remove the lid of the container to allow airflow. Gently mist the seedlings every few days so that the soil does not dry out.
Where to get them
Living Desert Plants has a selection of Adromischus available for sale online, which you can view by browsing our Plants category.