Key Lime Pie Plant Care

Adromischus cristatus ‘Key Lime Pie’, also known as ‘Crinkle Leaf Plant’ is native to South America and is part of the succulent plant family. They get their name from small, round fruits resembling key limes. It is also popular houseplants because they are easy to care for and make a beautiful addition to any home.

More About Key Lime Pie Plants

Key lime pie is a small outdoor plant with a compact succulent that grows to about 6 inches tall. They have fleshy, crinkled leaves that are a deep green color with silver-white veins running through them. The leaves are arranged in a rosette pattern and they produce small white flowers.

This small plant has triangle-shaped leaves covered in tiny hairs. The end of the leaf forms a crinkle.

If you are looking for a plant that is easy to care for and doesn’t require a lot of attention, then the key lime pie plant is a great choice. They are drought tolerant and can thrive in both bright light and low light conditions. These plants are also not susceptible to many pests or diseases, which makes them ideal for those who are new to plant care.

key lime pie care card

Key Lime Pie Care

key lime pie succulent

Adromischus cristatus is a perennial succulent, meaning it stores water in its leaves due to its water storage tissue. This means that these plant does not need to be watered often. Overwatering is one of the most common problems with key lime pie plants.

When watering your key lime pie plant, make sure to use room temperature water.

The Type of Soil That Key Lime Pie Needs

These types of plants need well-draining soil. This type of soil does not retain water, which is important because crinkle leaf plants can easily get root rot if the roots sit in water for too long. You can purchase well-draining potting soil mix from your local garden center or make your own by mixing equal parts perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss.

Light Requirement for Key Lime Pie

key lime pie lighting requirement

These plants need bright, indirect sunlight. If you live in a hot climate, it is best to protect your plant from the direct sun, as this can scorch the leaves. The best way to provide bright light, and avoid intense sunlight for your plant is to place it near a west – or south-facing window if treated as an indoor plant.

If you notice the leaves start to lose their color or become etiolated, this is a sign that your plant is not getting enough light. Move it to a brighter location and make sure to rotate the plant so that all sides get an equal amount of light.

How Often To Water

Key lime pie succulent or Crinkle Leaf Plant plants are succulents, which means they store water in their leaves. This means that this plant does not need to be watered often. Overwatering is one of the most common problems.

When watering, make sure to use room temperature water. Water the soil, not the leaves, and allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again.

When it comes to watering, these plants should be allowed to dry out completely between waterings. This succulent can tolerate being neglected for long periods and will not die if you forget to water it for a week or two. However, if the leaves start to wrinkle or lose their color, this is a sign that the plant is thirsty and needs to be watered.

Water the plant regularly in the summer season.

Fertilizing Key Lime Pie

dilutedfertilizer

This plant needs very little fertilizer. Too much fertilizer can burn the roots of your plant. If you decide to fertilize your plant, use a succulent cactus fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength.

Fertilize your plant once a month during the growing season, typically from late spring to early fall.

Temperature and Humidity Levels

Key lime pie plants like warm temperatures and low humidity. They will do best in a room that has an average temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature gets too cold, the leaves may start to drop off.

These plants also prefer low humidity, so if you live in a humid climate, you may need to provide additional airflow to prevent the leaves from turning brown and falling off.

Repotting and Propagation

Key lime pie plants do not need to be repotted often due to their shallow root system. They prefer to be slightly potbound. Only repot when the roots start to come out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. When repotting, use a succulent cactus mix and a plastic pot with drainage holes.

To propagate, use stem cuttings or leaf cuttings. Fill a pot with succulent cactus potting mix and moisten it lightly. Lay the callused leaf on top of the potting soil. Place the cutting in the pot and press the potting mix gently around the base of the cutting.

Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot and keep the potting mix slightly moist. The cutting should root within 4-6 weeks.

Key Lime Pie or Crinkle Leaf Plant Varieties

There are several different varieties of key lime pie succulent plants, including:

  • Key Lime Crinkle Leaf: This variety has crinkled leaves that are green with purple margins.
  • Key Lime Marmalade: This variety has orange or yellow flowers and variegated leaves that are green with white margins.
  • Key Lime Pie: This is the most common variety of plants. It has green leaves with purple margins.
  • Key Lime Ruffles: This variety has ruffled leaves that are green with purple margins.

Key Lime Pie Diseases and Pests

Crinkle leaf plants are relatively disease and pest-resistant. However, they can be susceptible to root rot if they are overwatered. If you notice that the leaves are starting to turn yellow or brown, it is a sign that the plant is getting too much water.

Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again. These plants can also be susceptible to mealybugs and spider mites. If you notice these pests on your plant, remove them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Where to Buy Key Lime Pie Succulents?

Key lime pie succulents are widely available for purchase online and at garden centers or even here at Plantly. However, these plants can be difficult to find in stores during the winter months.

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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