Adromischus filicaulis is a fabulous succulent species which are endemic to Western South Africa. You could see growing them in rocky granite hills when they grow in the wild. Further, they would form in high altitudes as well. So, when you grow them indoors, you need to provide the same conditions they get in their natural habitats as then they can perform well and grow to the best of their ability.
Adromischus filicaulis are slow-growing plants and not fuzzy in terms of their care treatments as well. They are well recognized for their beautiful looks. This is a highly variable species and even a novice in gardening can start cultivating these plants. So, let’s start talking about these plants.
How do I identify Adromischus filicaulis?
Adromischus filicaulis are clump-forming plants. Once they reach the maturity stage, they get as tall as 35 cm( 14 inches ). Besides they would be about 1.3cm ( 0.5 inches) in width as well. The foremost distinguishing feature of these plants is their green leaves which would form red spots. Those leaves would form upward. One might think that Adromischus filicaulis plants have a sculptural appearance as well.
Adromischus filicaulis plant stems would also form in an upward manner. They would hold onto the green or gray colored leaves. Besides, those leaves would be glossy and would tend to form in a compact manner around the stems. Once they grow older, the leaves may tend to develop rust-colored spots. In terms of the leaf’s sizes, they would be about 3.2 inches ( 8 cm) in length. Diameter-wise, those leaves would be about 0.6 inches (1.5cm).
In addition to the aforesaid factors, Adromischus filicaulis may come up with some spectacular blooms as well. In fact, those flowers would form from green to white. Furthermore, they may also have pink margins too. Adromischus filicaulis flowers would be tubular shaped. You may identify Adromischus filicaulis plants by their flowers during spring. Those flowers’ length would be 0.5 inches ( 1.3 cm). Further flower spikes would be as tall as 14 inches ( 35 cm).
Size of the plant
Adromischus filicaulis grow up to 35 cm ( 14 inches ) when they grow older. Further, the maximum diameter they can achieve would be around 1.3cm( 0,5 inches ).
Growth rate
Adromischus filicaulis plants grow at a slow pace.
One look care guide
| Botanical Name | Adromischus filicaulis |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Mature Size | 35 cm ( 14 inches ) in height 1.3cm( 0,5 inches) in diameter |
| Sun Exposure | Full sunlight to partial shade |
| Soil Type | Well draining |
| Soil pH | neutral and alkaline |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | Green to white |
| Hardiness Zones | 10a-11b -1.1°C (30°F). |
| Native Area | South Africa |
| toxicity | Toxic |
| Average price | $ 23 |
How do you take care of the Adromischus filicaulis?
Light Requirement
Adromischus filicaulis have regular sunlight requirements, like the other succulents and cactus. To be more precise, they need to have direct sunlight in the early hours of the morning and partial shade during the hottest hours of the day. Keep in mind that they will not withstand low lighting levels for too long. Prolonged exposure to low lighting levels would not be healthy for the plants. That said, they will not tolerate excessive sunlight all day too. it would also impact badly on the plants.
If you wish to grow them as houseplants, you must choose a bright sunny windowsill to locate them. However, it should not be a glass window as then the plants would be still exposed to intense sunlight. On the other hand, if you struggle to provide adequate sunlight, I suggest you place artificial lights closer to plants as it will enhance the lighting for them.
Temperature and humidity.
Adromischus filicaulis adapted to grow in hot and arid weather conditions. As such you need to mimic the same conditions when you grow them as houseplants as well. If I were to be specific on the precise temperature levels, they would enjoy growing in temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Never expose the plants to temperatures that get dropped to 45 degrees and below. If the forecast is such that there will be much colder conditions, you can either bring them indoors or protect them from frost clothes. Ideally what you could do during adverse winter conditions is to bring them indoors.
is it cold hardy?
Adromischus filicaulis don’t tolerate colder conditions well.
Hardiness Zone
The preferred USDA hardiness zones of the Adromischus filicaulis plants would be 10a-11b -1.1°C (30°F).
Watering Requirement
Adromischus filicaulis plants are low-maintenance plants. However, it is important that you water them well as it is a critical factor when providing the right care treatment. Adromischus filicaulis plants have water conserved in their leaves. So, bear that in mind and refrain from over-watering the plants as it would lead to adverse effects on the plants. Ideally, you need to allow the soil to dry between two watering sessions. Next, when you are sure it is dry, you may resume watering them.
The key factor which you need to keep in mind when watering the plants is to avoid overwatering Adromischus filicaulis plants. These are used to grow in drought conditions and they would not withstand over-watering even for a shorter period. Adromischus filicaulis plants actively grow from March to May and from Mid August to November months. Suspend watering them from mid-May to July when they are resting. You may limit watering the Adromischus filicaulis plants once a month and that would be adequate for them to sustain.
Soil Requirement Type / pH.
Excellent drainage is a crucial factor when you are selecting the right soil mix for these plants. What many garden enthusiasts do is that they purchase commercially available succulent soil mixes or cactus soil mixes. However, if you may wish you can make an appropriate soil mix on your own too. You can be tactful in adding substances such as sand and pumice to better the draining. If you happen to use a poor draining substrate, it will help to deteriorate the overall growth of the Adromischus filicaulis plants.
Pot size Potting and Repotting
Adromischus filicaulis plants would sustain in a well-draining pot only. It is important that your pots have sufficient draining holes in the bottom as then it would allow the excess moisture to drain out from the pot. Further, I suggest you use a porous material pot also as then the excess water would evaporate faster. The porosity of the pots is crucial in increasing water evaporation.
Repotting wise, I urge you to repot them once every two years since these are not growing faster. So, you can repot them once every two years. Make sure that you repot them periodically as only then it would allow their roots to expand well and grow vigorously. Repotting is traumatizing for the plants, so you need to do it only less often as once every two years. if you keep repotting them on a regular basis it would be traumatizing for them.
Where to Plant
Adromischus filicaulis plants are very demanding in terms of sunlight. So, when you chose a spot in the garden it has to be a place where the plants can absorb adequate sunlight. As aforesaid it has to be full sunlight and partial sunlight during burning hours of the day. If you find it difficult to supply appropriate sunlight levels, you need to consider growing them outdoors.
Adromischus filicaulis plants are tolerant of warmer climates. They would ideally wish to have conditions in USDA hardiness zones 10a-11b where the temperature would be around. 1.1°C (30°F). So, if you constantly go through winter conditions during most of the year, it would be best to plant them as houseplants. That said, you need to still make sure that they get ample light there.
Fertilizer and time of year
Fertilizing is not something that is necessary to do. However, if you wish you can proceed with feeding the plants as it would boost their growth of these plants. You may use a fertilizer that is specifically designed for cactus and succulents. Frequency-wise, you can feed them once every two weeks when they are actively growing. It is noteworthy that you should not ever feed them when they are going through dormancy.
Flower
Adromischus filicaulis plants may produce flowers in green to white. Further, they may also form tinges in pink as well. Those flowers would be tubular-shaped. You may spot them bearing flowers during spring.
Dormancy
Adromischus filicaulis plants are summer dormant plants.
Toxicity
Unfortunately, Adromischus filicaulis plants could be toxic if you happen to ingest them. So it is recommended to keep these plants away from both kids and from pets as well.
Common bugs and illnesses
Adromischus filicaulis plants may encounter root rot if you end up supplying water in excess for them. Root rot could be an annoying menace if you don’t attend to it well in advance. If it gets spread severely, you may have to even discard the plants. On the other hand, it could further make your plants vulnerable to other pest attacks also. Apart from these, slugs’ snails could also tend to infest the Adromischus filicaulis plants occasionally. Pests such as mealybugs, scales and aphids could also create trouble for these precious plants.
Special Care Tips
Adromischus filicaulis plants don’t require major maintenance from you. Having said that, it is important that you prune these plants to avoid them taking a lengthy growth. In addition to that, I suggest you repot them in a periodic manner so that it would pave the way for the healthy growth of these plants. When you interact with the plants ensure that you do it gently as the leaves may tend to drop even at the gentlest touch.
Adromischus filicaulis benefits
Adromischus filicaulis plants would look handy in cute-looking containers. You may either grow them as individual plants or make them part of an indoor succulent arrangement.
How to propagate Adromischus filicaulis.
The easiest method to propagate the Adromischus filicaulis plants is to use the leaf propagation method. It is very simple and all you have to do is obtain the leaf from the plants and then allow them to dry for a couple of days. Ensure that you are choosing a healthy-looking leaf for this purpose. Next, keep it upright in a fast-draining soil mix. Once you keep the leaf upright in the pot it would enable the roots to grow downward. Ensure their soil is moistened when the rooting takes place.
Apart from the above, you may use leaf cuttings also to do this task. You can simply snip off a leaf cutting while using a clean knife or a pair of scissors. Next, just as in the above method allow them to become calloused and grow in a fast draining soil mix. Lastly, you may consider using their offsets to propagate them as well. You only need to separate the offsets from the mother plants and grow them in individual pots. However, if you practice this method also, you need to allow them to dry and then grow them as individual plants.
Conclusion
To recap what we covered in the above article, growing Adromischus filicaulis plants is fun and quite easy. Once you see flourishing and spot them flowering you would feel much more accomplished. So, happy cultivating with Adromischus filicaulis plants!
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