Adromischus cristatus var. zeyheri

Adromischus cristatus var. zeyheri, formerly known as both Adromischus zeyheri and Cotyledon zeyheri, is a succulent plant native to South Africa, specifically from the type locality near Riversdale in the Eastern Cape Province. It grows on shady cliffs. The name 'zeyheri' is a tribute to the German botanist, collector and traveller Karl Ludwig Philipp Zeyher (1799-1858), who played an important role in the discovery of the flora of South Africa. It is distinguished from other subspecies mainly by the absence of the brown aerial roots that usually cover the stems.

This plant has bright green leaves with wavy apical margins and a scaly to felty surface. The leaves grow arranged compactly on the stem and the plant reaches a height of up to 10 cm. The low green stems of the plant tend to branch little or not at all.

In mid-summer it is adorned with tiny white flowers with cylindrical green tubes. The flowers appear on spikes up to 30 cm long, giving the plant a delicate and elegant appearance. It is advisable to remove the flowering stems after flowering.

Adromischus cristatus var. zeyheri is an unpretentious plant that will delight even novice growers. It prefers full sun or partial shade and requires watering only when the substrate is completely dry. Keep watering to a minimum in winter. With its compact growth habit, delicate white flowers and low maintenance, this lushly decorative plant is becoming increasingly popular with succulent growers.