Scientific Name
Crassula humbertii Desc.
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula
Etymology
The specific epithet "humbertii (hum-BER-tee-eye)" honors Jean-Henri Humbert (1887-1967), a French botanist.
Origin
Crassula humbertii is native to southern Madagascar. It grows in limestone crevices.
Description
Crassula humbertii is a dwarf succulent with a branching and creeping habit. It is a short-lived perennial that can grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) tall, branching from the base and forming small cushions. The pointed leaves are oblong-elliptic, measuring up to 0.35 inches (0.9 cm) long and 0.15 inches (0.4 cm) wide. They are pale to dark green, often flushed purple, with dark red spots on the upper surface, and papillate when young.
The solitary flowers are 5-merous, about 0.15 inches (0.4 cm) in diameter, and have white petals, sepals the same color as the leaves, and yellow anthers. The flowering occurs in spring.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 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. 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 plant 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.
These succulents are generally started by division, offsets, or leaf cuttings. Crassulas can be easily propagated from a single leaf. Sprout leaves by placing them into a potting mix for succulents, then covering the dish until they sprout.
Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot your Crassula, 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 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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