Crassula is a genus of succulent plants that includes more than 350 species native to many different parts of the world. Crassula species come in a wide variety of sizes, rosettes, and colors. When it comes to identifying crassula, look for your succulent leaves that if they grow in pairs and symmetrically. Furthermore, unlike the cactus, crassula has fleshy leaves that have a triangle shape. However, some types of crassula contain egg-like, finger-like, or rounded leaves.
Some are short ground covers, some are trailing plants ideal for hanging baskets while some living in warm climates can grow into 6-foot shrubs. Crassula flowers appear on mature plants in late winter or early spring.
HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR CRASSULA SUCCULENT?
Crassulas make great houseplants and are perfect to grow in containers thanks to their easy growing habit, low maintenance, evergreen, and eye-catching nature, Many make excellent indoor plants, use others in landscaping.
CRASSULA LIGHT REQUIREMENTS
Most crassula plants need partial shade in the hottest part of summer but require full sun to attain their most vibrant color. When grown outdoors, a place with morning sun and afternoon shade is perfect but should not be exposed to a lot of direct sun (which may cause leaf scorch).
WHAT TYPE OF SOIL DOES A CRASSULA PLANT NEED?
Crassula plants need soil that is very well-draining and will do best in sandy, rocky blends formulated especially for succulents. They prefer neutral to slightly acidic soil, but even extreme pH levels rarely kill the plant. Crassula plants will react badly to boggy, wet soils, as their roots can easily rot.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD WATER A CRASSULA?
Water thoroughly only when the soil is dry to the touch (about every 2 weeks). Never let your succulents sit in water and do NOT water on the leaves. Don't forget to learn how to water your succulents the right way.
You can water more often if you live in areas with hot weather because your soil will dry out faster. Reduce watering in winter because the succulent can lose its roots if the soil stays cold and wet for an extended amount of time. Make sure to protect from frost to prevent scarring.
HOW DO YOU FERTILIZE CRASSULA?
You don't need to fertilize your Crassula, but if you want to, you should use a slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of spring, or use 20-20-20 fertilizer diluted to ¼ strength weekly for mature plants, or a fertilizer with less nitrogen for younger plants.
HOW DO YOU PROPAGATE CRASSULA?
You can propagate crassulas by division, offsets, or leaf cuttings. The easiest way is to propagate from a single leaf: placing the leaf into a succulent or cacti soil mix, then covering the dish until they sprout.
CAN YOU PROPAGATE CRASSULA IN WATER?
Most succulents can be propagated in water. You can grow roots from healthy single leaves or, if you have a stretched-out succulent, you can take stem cuttings and root those.