Scientific Name
Crassula cordata Thunb.
Common Name(s)
Heart-leaved Crassula
Synonym(s)
Crassula aitonii, Crassula glauca, Crassula neglecta, Crassula perfossa
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula
Origin
Crassula cordata is native to South Africa. It occurs in Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, usually in dry shrub vegetation, often under trees or shrubs, or rarely in ravines.
Description
Crassula cordata is an attractive, sparsely branched succulent plant with erect or decumbent branches bearing grey-green leaves, often with red spots and red margins. It is a small plant that reaches only 12 inches (30 cm) in height. Leaves are broadly ovate, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) wide, and attached to the branches by an up to 0.3 inches (0.8 cm) long petiole.
Flowers are star-shaped, cream to pale yellow, often tinged pink, and appear lax, rounded clusters on erect, up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall stalks from mid-winter to spring.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Crassulas are easy to grow but susceptible to mealy bugs and fungal diseases. Overwatering is sure to be fatal, as with all succulents, so err on the side of too dry rather than too wet. Never let your Crassula sit in water. If you water from beneath by letting the plant sit in a saucer of water, ensure to pour off any excess water after a few minutes.
Crassulas are generally started by division, offsets, or leaf cuttings. Plants can be easily propagated from a single leaf: sprout leaves by placing them into a succulent or cacti mix, then covering the dish until they sprout.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a succulent, ensure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, removing any rotted or dead roots. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill it with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Crassula.
Links
- Back to genus Crassula
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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