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Adromischus cristatus (Crinkle-Leaf Plant) - A small slow growing succulent from South Africa with 1- to 2-inch-long branching stems with dense reddish-brown aerial roots and upright triangular pale green 1 to 2 inch long by 1/2- to 1-inch-wide leaves that are covered in tiny hairs. At the squared off tip, where the leaf is at its broadest, the margin is undulated. Interesting yet inconspicuous green tubular flowers have reddish white flared out petal tips on 8-inch-long stems in spring.
Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and water regularly to occasionally especially during the growth season from spring to fall. Cold hardy to 25 F. This is one of the easiest of the Adromischus to grow and can actually be planted and grown in the ground here in coastal California, unlike others in the genus that are necessarily restricted to growing in pots.
Adromischus cristatus is from the eastern Cape Province of South Africa and is a quite variable species and together with its varieties (A. cristatus var. cristatus, var. clavifolius, var. schonlandii and var. zeyeri) includes plants once called Adromischus poellnitzianus, A. nussbaumerianus and A. kesselringianus. The name Adromischus is from the Greek words 'hadros' meaning "thick" or "sturdy" and 'mischos' meaning "flower stalk" for the plant's stout pedicils. The specific epithet means "crested" for the crested look of the undulating tip margins of the leaf.
This information about Adromischus cristatus displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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