Scientific Name
Crassula mesembrianthemopsis Dinter
Synonym(s)
Crassula mesembryanthemopsis
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula
Etymology
The specific epithet "mesembrianthemopsis" (pronounced "im-mak-yoo-LAH-tuh") means "resembling plants of the former family Mesembryanthemaceae" and refers to the similar appearance of this species to the members of the former family Mesembryanthemaceae, now included in the family Aizoaceae.
Origin
This species is native to South Africa (Namaqualand) and Namibia.
Description
Crassula mesembrianthemopsis is a succulent plant with a thick, underground stem and one or few dense rosettes of green to brown or grey-green, almost club-shaped leaves with a flat tip. The leaves can grow up to 0.8 inches (2 cm) long and 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) wide.
The flowers are small, white to cream with yellow anthers, and appear in compact clusters, partially hidden by the leaves in fall.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 10b: from 20°F (-6.7°C) to 40°F (4.4°C).
How to Grow and Care
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 beneath by letting the plant sit in a saucer of water, make sure 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. Place leaves into a potting mix for succulents and cover the pot 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 with potting soil, spreading the roots as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Crassula.
Hybrids
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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