Scientific Name
Crassula montana Thunb.
Synonym(s)
Crassula engleri, Crassula montana subsp. montana, Purgosea montana
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula
Etymology
The specific epithet "montana (MON-tah-nuh)" is the feminine form of the Latin adjective "montanus," meaning "of or pertaining to mountains" or "mountainous." It refers to the mountain habitats where the species grows in shady crevices.
Origin
Crassula montana is native to South Africa (Western Cape).
Description
Crassula montana is a small succulent with egg-shaped leaves arranged in rosettes. It can grow up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) tall, usually proliferating from the base to form dense clumps. The leaves are green with dark green to reddish dots and short marginal cilia. They can measure up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) wide.
The inflorescence is usually spike-like, bears small white flowers, and can grow up to 4 inches (10 cm) tall.
How to Grow and Care for Crassula montana
Light: C. montana 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 some amount of short-term freezing, but extremes of cold or heat will cause it to lose leaves and die. C. montana can withstand temperatures as low as 30 to 50 °F (-1.1 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 10a to 11b.
Watering: Avoid overwatering by 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. montana 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 period of active growth. 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. montana from a single leaf, while using stem cuttings is the fastest way to get a decent-sized plant. These processes are most successful if done at the beginning of its active growth period. Sow the seeds in the spring or summer. Propagating by dividing offsets is very 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 montana
C. montana is nontoxic to people and pets.
Subspecies of Crassula montana
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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