Crassula perfoliata var. minor (Airplane Plant)

Scientific Name

Crassula perfoliata var. minor (Haw.) G.D.Rowley

Common Names

Airplane Plant, Propeller Plant, Red Crassula, Scarlet Paintbrush

Synonyms

Crassula falcata, Crassula perfoliata var. falcata, Crassula perfoliata subsp. falcata, Rochea falcata

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula

Description

Crassula perfoliata var. minor is a succulent plant that grows to 2 feet (60 cm) tall with gray-green 4 inch (10 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide sickle-shaped leaves that are arranged in overlapping pairs along a usually unbranched stem. Tiny scarlet red flowers are massed together in very showy dense clusters that rise above foliage in mid summer. The flowers open slowly and last for nearly a month when in full bloom. Attractive and interesting when not in bloom but a show stopper when the bright red flowers emerge.

Photo via kumbulanursery.co.za

How to Grow and Care

Crassula are easy to grow, but they are 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 Crassula 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.

Crassula are generally started by division, offsets or leaf cuttings. Plants can be easily propagated from a single leaf: sprout leaves by placing them into a succulent or cacti mix, then covering the dish until they sprout. Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a succulent, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot…. – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Crassula.