Scientific Name
Crassula hirtipes Harv.
Common Name(s)
Hedgehog Stonecrop
Synonym(s)
Crassula hystrix
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula
Etymology
The specific epithet "hirtipes (her-TYE-pees)" means "hairy-footed" and refers to the hairy flower stalk.
Origin
Crassula hirtipes is native to South Africa (Northern Cape and Western Cape).
Description
Crassula hirtipes is a small succulent with many decumbent to erect stems and green to reddish-green leaves with short recurved hairs. It forms spreading tufts up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. The leaves are egg- to lance-shaped, measuring up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long and 0.3 inches (0.7 cm) wide.
The flowers are tubular, cream to yellow, and appear in elongated clusters on hairy stalks in late winter and early spring. The flower stalks can grow up to 14 inches (35 cm) long.
Crassula hirtipes is similar in appearance to Delosperma echinatum.
How to Grow and Care for Crassula hirtipes
Light: C. hirtipes prefers full sun to partial shade. However, intense afternoon sun in the hottest period of summer can burn the leaves of the plant. Therefore, a place with morning sun and afternoon shade would be perfect. Indoors, place your plants in a window where they receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
Soil: This plant is not particular about soil pH but requires very porous soil with excellent drainage. Use commercial potting soil mixes designated for use with succulents, or mix your own.
Hardiness: Like most Crassulas, this succulent will tolerate short-term freezing, but extremes of cold or heat will cause it to lose leaves and die. C. hirtipes can withstand temperatures as low as 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b.
Watering: Avoid overwatering using the "soak and dry" method, where the soil is soaked with water, slowly drained, and left to dry out before watering again. Reduce watering in winter. Potted plants require more frequent watering than those in the ground.
Fertilizing: C. hirtipes does not need much feeding but will benefit from a small amount of organic fertilizer in mid-spring when it starts actively growing.
Repotting: Repot as needed, preferably in spring, at the beginning of the active growth period. Make sure the soil is dry before you begin repotting.
Propagation: This succulent is generally started by leaves or stem cuttings. It can also be grown from seeds and offsets. The easiest way is to propagate C. hirtipes from a single leaf, while using stem cuttings is the fastest way to get a decent-sized plant. These processes are most successful at the beginning of the active growth period. Sow the seeds in the spring or summer. Propagating by dividing offsets is easy because the parent plant has already done most of the work for you.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Crassula.
Toxicity of Crassula hirtipes
C. hirtipes is nontoxic to people and pets.
Hybrids of Crassula hirtipes
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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