Adromischus cooperi aka Calico Hearts

Taxonomy

Adromischus cooperi is a species of succulent plant from the family Crassulaceae, endemic to the Eastern Cape of South Africa. It is a slow-growing, branching succulent with greyish-brown stems and fleshy, grey-green leaves speckled with purple, often wavy at the tips. The plant is cespitose, growing in small dense clumps or tufts. It reaches a maximum height of 10 centimeters and produces upright spikes of small, tubular pink flowers in the summer. The flowers resemble ears, growing up to 35 centimeters high, and are red and green with pink-white edges. The genus name Adromischus comes from ancient Greek adros (meaning "thick") and mischos (meaning "stem"), while the species name honors Thomas Cooper.

Common names

Calico Hearts

How to care for Calico Hearts

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Calico Hearts due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Calico Hearts does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

Soil

To ensure the health of your Calico Hearts, it's crucial to use a potting soil that won't hold too much moisture. A soil that drains well and contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage and organic matter for nutrition is ideal. Adding a few handfuls of perlite to store-bought cactus soil is an easy way to create this type of soil mix.

Lighting

Calico Hearts thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Calico Hearts.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Humidity

Calico Hearts prefers dry environments, so misting the plant to provide extra humidity and allow water to linger on the leaves can create an ideal environment for fungi that can be harmful.

Fertilizer

The growth rate of Calico Hearts is slow and it doesn't necessitate additional fertilizing. By changing the soil in its pot annually, the plant should be provided with adequate nutrition. It is crucial to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

Calico Hearts’s native range is Southern Africa.


More info:
Wikipedia