Repotting guide

When & how to repot Adromischus Maculatus (Adromischus maculatus)

Also called calico hearts, chocolate drops succulent.

More about adromischus maculatus

About Adromischus Maculatus

Adromischus maculatus · also called calico hearts, chocolate drops succulent · houseplant

Adromischus maculatus, known as calico hearts, is a compact South African succulent with flat, wedge-shaped grey-green leaves heavily blotched in chocolate-purple, edged by a fine horny rim. It stays small and slow, wanting strong light, sharply drained gritty soil and sparing water. A characterful, low-maintenance pick for bright windowsills.

Mature size: Roughly 8-10 cm (3-4 in) tall and 10-15 cm (4-6 in) wide as a cluster.

Watch for — Root rot from overwatering: Soggy or slow-draining soil causes the base and leaves to soften and rot. Let the mix dry completely between waterings and use a gritty medium with excellent drainage.

How to tell adromischus maculatus needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For adromischus maculatus, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot adromischus maculatus

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Adromischus Maculatus's growth habit — slow, low-spreading clumping succulent forming dense mounds of flat, fan-like leaves on short woody stems. older plants throw up wiry stalks of small tubular greenish-pink flowers. — sets the pace. Adromischus maculatus, known as calico hearts, is a compact South African succulent with flat, wedge-shaped grey-green leaves heavily blotched in chocolate-purple, edged by a fine horny rim. It stays small and slow, wanting strong light, sharply drained gritty soil and sparing water. A characterful, low-maintenance pick for bright windowsills.

What size pot to step adromischus maculatus up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Adromischus Maculatus stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot adromischus maculatus

Spring or summer, while adromischus maculatus is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting adromischus maculatus

Repot dry. Do not water adromischus maculatus for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty gritty cactus/succulent mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set adromischus maculatus at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep adromischus maculatus completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for adromischus maculatus

Adromischus Maculatus wants gritty cactus/succulent mix. Plant in a very free-draining blend, such as cactus compost mixed with roughly half pumice, perlite or coarse grit. The shallow root system rots in retentive soil. Shallow terracotta containers help moisture evaporate quickly. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting adromischus maculatus — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot adromischus maculatus?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for adromischus maculatus. Repot adromischus maculatus every 2–3 years into a snug pot of gritty cactus/succulent mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does adromischus maculatus need?

When is the best time of year to repot adromischus maculatus?

Should you water adromischus maculatus after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot adromischus maculatus into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise adromischus maculatus after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting adromischus maculatus. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.