Scientific Name
Crassula pubescens subsp. radicans (Haw.) Toelken
Common Name(s)
Red Carpet, Red Carpet Crassula
Synonym(s)
Globulea radicans, Crassula radicans, Globulea pubescens var. radicans
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula
Description
Crassula pubescens subsp. radicans, also known as Crassula radicans, is a low-growing succulent plant with older stems rooting at the nodes and short upright stems congested with small, flat, and fleshy leaves. It grows up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall, spreading up to 3 feet (90 cm) in diameter. Leaves are green much of the year but flush bright red in winter when grown in full sun. They are up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long and up to 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) in diameter. Flowers are small, white and appear in tight, rounded clusters on stalks a few inches above the foliage in the winter.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Crassulas 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.
Crassulas 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. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Crassula.
Origin
This subspecies is native to South Africa.
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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