Crassula hemisphaerica

Scientific Name

Crassula hemisphaerica Thunb.

Synonyms

Crassula alooides

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula

Description

Crassula hemisphaerica is a succulent plant with usually one (sometimes 2 or 3) rosette with tightly packed recurved leaves so that the rosette is hemispherical in section. The leaves are green, grey-green, or brownish-green, up to 2 inches (5 cm) long and up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) wide. Its small, white, or creamy flowers appear on erect, up to 6 inches (15 cm) long stems. The specific epithet refers to the leaves that have the rounded form of a hemisphere.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 11a to 11b: from 40 °F (+4.4 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

Crassula hemisphaerica — *Photo via giromagi.com*

How to Grow and Care

Crassulas are easy to grow, but they are susceptible to mealy bugs and fungal diseases. As with all succulents, overwatering is sure to be fatal, 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, make sure to pour off any excess water after a few minutes. Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a succulent, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. 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, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. See more at How to Grow and Care for Crassula.