I recently heard from a reader who was interested in adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii propagation and care, so I thought this would be the perfect time to share my experience with other readers! Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii is easy because it propagates both from leaf cuttings as well as from seeds.
This particular type of adromischus is also known as the “ladder leaf” succulent because their leaves form a ladder shape on older plants and it can be propagated by cuttings which are then rooted in water or soil (or even an old pot!). When I first started my collection, all of my plants were propagated from cuttings that I had rooted in pots.
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However, as my collection has grown some of the varieties have become difficult to find and many nurseries are no longer stocking these species (I can only assume this is because they’re not very popular). So now I’m starting new collections by using seeds instead.
Even though seeds are more expensive than cuttings, they’re much easier to find and I don’t have to worry about the quality of my plant (because you know how some nurseries can be).
This is a fun, easy succulent with beautiful leaves which doesn’t require any special care.
How to propagate adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii can be propagated by seed, leaf cuttings and division of the mother plant or offsets.
Propagation from seed is often done when a mature specimen has died out in order to keep stock for future planting in production areas where there are no other mature plants.
Propagation by leaf cuttings is most commonly used to produce large numbers of plants for sale in nurseries and garden centers. The leaves are removed from the plant, often with a single leaf at a time or two adjacent pairs of leaves, then placed into moist soil mix where they will develop roots before being planted out.
The simplest way of propagating adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii is by division of the mother plant or offsets and consists simply in separating a piece from the parent plant with roots, removing it from its pot and planting it out into fresh soil mix. Division should be done when new growths appear, in order to avoid disturbing the roots.
The propagation techniques with adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii should be done preferably when temperatures are between 23 and 28 degrees Celsius (73-82 F), but can also be attempted outside of this range, though it is always a riskier time for the plants.
General care information
light requirements for adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii has light requirements of at least six hours a day, with full sun being the best option to promote blooming. It will grow in semi-shade and can take some morning or afternoon shade without issue. Be sure that your plant does not have any dark spots in the leaves.
The easiest way to provide adequate light is by placing your plant in a south-facing window, or somewhere else where it will be exposed to at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. If you do not have any windows with that much exposure, then using artificial lighting can help supplement its needs for photosynthesis. You can use a grow light, as long as it is at least six inches away from the plant and pointed directly at it.
Soil/potting mix
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii is a succulent plant that requires well-draining soil with high air flow to prevent rot and decay. Some options for potting mix include cactus/succulent potting mix, perlite, and sand in five parts.
The best way to create the perfect soil mix is to start with a base of good potting soil, mixed in sand and perlite. Add enough sand until the mixture becomes almost like concrete when it dries out between watering sessions.
You can also create your own succulent-specific potting mix by adding a handful of cactus or succulent soils for every cup of potting soil.
Fertilizer
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii requires little fertilizer; but they can only use slow-release fertilizers that are designed for cacti and succulents. They cannot take fish emulsion, blood meal or typical chemical plant food like Miracle Gro®
The best way to fertilize is by mixing a slow-release fertilizer in the soil with every repotting. When growing Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii from seed it may not be necessary since they should already have some of this nutrient built into the mix when you get them, so monitor closely.
Don’t forget to fertilize your Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii every two weeks during the active growing season with a general-purpose fertilizer, such as 20-20-20.
Watering
Keep Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii in a soil that drains well, but not too fast. In the summer it may be necessary to water once or twice weekly; in winter they only need watering every few weeks and even less when dormant. Always allow them to dry out slightly before rewatering.
The soil for Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii should be kept moist, but not wet.
Temperature
The temperature for Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii should be in the range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15-27 degrees C)
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii prefers a daytime temperature of 70 degrees F, cool nights and during winter months they prefer 50F.
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii can tolerate more extreme temperatures but is not tolerant to cold drafts or sudden changes in temperature.
Humidity
The humidity for Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii should be in the range of 30 to 50%
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii prefers a daytime humidity near 40-50%. They do not like sudden changes in humidity levels and may drop their leaves if it suddenly becomes too dry.
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii is tolerant of lower humidity levels but it should be about 30% for the night time and 50% during the day-time hours. This can vary depending on your geographic location, so monitor closely to see what type of watering schedule they need in your home.
Repotting
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii grows best when they are repotted every year, the roots will grow rapidly and it may be necessary to add more soil as the plant matures
Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii grows fastest in small pots that are about one gallon (about four liters) If you want to keep your plants smaller, use a pot or container with no more than two gallons of soil
When planting from seed, start with a two-inch pot and gradually move to larger pots. Wait until the plant has outgrown its container before repotting it again. When transplanting plants that are already growing in bigger containers or outdoors, take care not to disturb roots too much
The best time of year for repotting is in the spring, when they are coming out of dormancy.
Pruning Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii
Pruning is a necessary part of care for many succulent plants, but it should not be done too often or with large shears as they can damage the plant’s fleshy leaves and stems. Prune back to about ½” from new growth tips.
Growth rate
The growth rate of Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii is slow from seed, but it grows faster with age and after division. It needs light to grow well, so you should provide a sunny location in the garden or move it outdoors during the summer months when night temperatures are not too cold (55°F).
Toxicity
The leaves of Adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii contain a substance called saponin, which is toxic if ingested by humans or pets.
Pests and diseases
adromischus filicaulis subsp. marlothii is not prone to pests or diseases, but it may still be susceptible to the following:
Mosaic and ringspot symptoms on leaves in shades of yellow, brown, or black.
