Scientific Name
Crassula perforata f. variegata
Accepted Scientific Name
Crassula perforata Thunb.
Common Name(s)
Necklace Vine, Pagoda Plant, Stacked Crassula, String of Buttons
Synonym(s)
Crassula perforata f. marginata
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula
Etymology
The formal epithet "variegata (pronounced "var-ee-GAY-tuh") means "variegated; having a pattern of different colors or marks."
Origin
Crassula perforata f. variegata is a form of Crassula perforata selected for its variegated foliage. Crassula perforata is native to South Africa.
Description
Crassula perforata f. variegata is an attractive succulent shrub with gray-green leaves adorned with cream to yellow or red margins. It can grow up to 18 inches (45 cm) tall. The leaves are thick, fleshy, triangular in shape, and fused with the opposite leaf at the base. They can measure up to 1.3 inches (3.3 cm) in length and 0.8 inches (2 cm) in width. Over time, the lower leaves usually lose their variegated coloring.
The flowers are small, pale yellow, and appear in spring.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 9a to 11b: from 20°F (-6.7°C) to 50°F (10°C).
How to Grow and Care
Crassulas are easy to grow but susceptible to mealybugs and fungal diseases. Overwatering is sure to be fatal, as with all succulents, so err on the side of being too dry rather than too wet. Never let your plant sit in water. If you water from beneath by allowing the plant to sit in a saucer, 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 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.
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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