Scientific Name
Crassula sarcocaulis Eckl. & Zeyh.
Common Name(s)
Bonsai Crassula, Bonsai Jade
Synonym(s)
Crassula lignosa, Crassula parvisepala, Crassula sarcocaulis subsp. sarcocaulis, Crassula sarcocaulis var. scaberula, Creusa sarcocaulis
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula
Etymology
The specific epithet "sarcocaulis (sar-koh-KAW-liss)" means "fleshy-stemmed, with fleshy stems."
Origin
Crassula sarcocaulis is native to the eastern part of South Africa and neighboring countries, where it grows on mountain slopes in rocky terrain.
Description
Crassula sarcocaulis is a small, densely branched succulent shrub that develops a tree-like crown with fleshy spreading branches and green leaves often tinged red. It can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall and wide. The stems are thick, fleshy, and green with hair-like papillae, sometimes with brown peeling flakes exposing the grey bark on the older branches. The leaves are narrow and pointed, measuring up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) long and 0.4 inches (1 cm) wide.
The bell-shaped flowers are white, cream, or pink and appear in attractive terminal clusters in late summer.
How to Grow and Care for Crassula sarcocaulis
Light: C. sarcocaulis 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 short-term freezing, but extremes of cold or heat will cause it to lose leaves and die. C. sarcocaulis can withstand temperatures as 10 to 50 °F (-12.2 to 10 °C), USDA hardiness zones 8a to 11b.
Watering: Avoid overwatering 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. sarcocaulis does not need much feeding but will benefit from a small amount of organic fertilizer when it starts actively growing in mid-spring.
Repotting: Repot as needed, preferably in spring, at the beginning of the active growth period. 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. sarcocaulis from a single leaf, while using stem cuttings is the fastest way to get a decent-sized plant. These processes are most successful at the beginning of the plant's active growth period. Sow the seeds in the spring or summer. Propagating by dividing offsets is 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 sarcocaulis
C. sarcocaulis is nontoxic to people and pets.
Subspecies and Cultivars of Crassula sarcocaulis
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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