Crassula 'Justus Corderoy'

Scientific Name

Crassula 'Justus Corderoy'

Synonym(s)

Crassula × justi-corderoyi

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula

Etymology

The generic name "Crassula" (pronounced "KRASS-oo-la") means "somewhat thick" and refers to the thick, succulent leaves and stems characteristic of nearly every species in the genus.

The cultivar epithet 'Justus Corderoy' honors Justus Corderoy (1832–1911), an English miller and succulent plant cultivator at Blewbury near Didcot, Berkshire (now Oxfordshire), United Kingdom.

Crassula 'Justus Corderoy' aka Crassula × justi-corderoyi — *Photo by Roy Mottram*

Description

Crassula 'Justus Corderoy', also known as Crassula × justi-corderoyi, is a small succulent shrub with reddish-brown stems and thick, fleshy, deep green leaves speckled with reddish-brown, which have a unique, silvery, velvety texture. It can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall. The leaves are boat-shaped, typically about 4.8 inches (12 cm) long, though they are often shorter, and about 0.4 inches (1 cm) wide.

In the summer, Crassula 'Justus Corderoy' produces clusters of small, star-shaped pink flowers.

Origin

Crassula 'Justus Corderoy' is a hybrid of Crassula exilis subsp. cooperi and Crassula perfoliata var. minor. It was first described by Nicholas Edward Brown in Gardeners' Chronicle in 1904.

Forms of Crassula 'Justus Corderoy'

Crassula 'Justus Corderoy Variegated'

How to Grow and Care for Crassula 'Justus Corderoy'

Hardiness: USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25°F (-3.9°C) to 50°F (10°C).

Crassulas are easy to grow but susceptible to mealybugs and fungal diseases. As with all succulents, overwatering is fatal, so err on the side of too dry rather than too wet. Never let your plant sit in water. If you water from below by letting the plant sit in a saucer, make sure to pour off any excess water after a few minutes.

You can generally start these succulents by division, offsets, or leaf cuttings. You can easily propagate Crassulas from a single leaf. To sprout leaves, place them in a succulent potting mix, then cover 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.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Crassula.