Scientific Name
Crassula sarmentosa Harv.
Synonym(s)
Crassula ovata, Crassula sarmentosa var. sarmentosa, Septimia sarmentosa
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula
Origin
Crassula sarmentosa is native to South Africa. It occurs along the eastern coastal belt from Knysna in the Western Cape, spreading to central KwaZulu-Natal, growing in fynbos, semi-arid scrub, and grasslands on rock faces or in ravines.
Description
Crassula sarmentosa is a much-branched succulent with trailing, climbing, or hanging stems and green or yellowish-green leaves with serrated, often red margins. The stems are simple or loosely branched and grow up to 3.3 feet (1 m) long and 0.25 inches (0.6 cm) in diameter. They are reddish-pink to green, mottled with white. Leaves are elliptic to ovate, with or without petiole, up to 2.2 inches (5.5 cm) long and up to 1.4 inches (3.5 cm) broad.
The flowers are star-shaped, 5-merous, white or cream-colored, rarely tinged red, and appear in terminal clusters in winter.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 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 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 plant sit in water. If you water from beneath by letting the plant sit in a saucer of water, ensure to 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.
Cultivars
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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