Crassula

( krass - YEW - luh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes species native mainly to South Africa which need full sun and little to no water to perform well in the garden. Every species has succulent foliage and they are considered perennial plants. They take a variety of forms, from creeping prostrate carpets to small trees. Crassulas are versatile plants used as groundcovers, in rock gardens, in mixed beds and borders, or in containers. Larger species can also be used to form hedges. Take care when planting these succulents in the landscape, as plant parts of most species are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.

Crassula Species and Varietals

The genus Crassula is the type genus member of the plant family Crassulaceae, and includes around 200 species. Crassula grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-12 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9 and 12-24, though this varies somewhat depending on the species grown. For more information, see the species descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Crassula alata (Three-Part Crassula, Winged Crassula)
Native to the Mediterranean Basin, this species forms a succulent annual plant that reaches about 2 inches tall. Flowers are white, and bloom in springtime. Foliage ranges in color from light green to pinkish to carmine red, depending on environmental factors. The species was first described by botanist Alwin Berger in 1930. It is considered invasive in Australia and New Zealand, and is a roadside weed in many regions in the Southern Hemisphere.

Crassula aquatica (Water Pygmyweed, Common Pygmyweed, Pigmyweed)
These plants are native to salt marshes, vernal pools and wetland areas in North America and Eurasia, and form small mats of foliage, growing more erect when exposed to air for longer periods of time. Individual plants reach up to 1-4 inches tall at maturity. Foliage is green.

Crassula arborescens (Crassula atropurpurea aroborescens) (Silver Jade Plant, Silver Dollar, Chinese Jade, Cookie Plant, Money Plant, Money Tree)
This species has a shrubby habit, and branches heavily, similar to the Jade plant (Crassula ovata), but grey-green leaves are edged in red and are dotted. Individual plants reach up to 2-4 feet tall and just as wide. Summertime flowers are white and mature to pink. The species is endemic to the Western Cape of South Africa, but is cultivated worldwide. It has naturalized in Australia and New Zealand.

Crassula atropurpurea (Purple Crassula, Purple Stonecrop, Persplakkie)
These plants have a widespread native range in South Africa and Namibia, and are extremely variable in form and color. Leaves are typically erect, ranging in color from green to purple to dark brown (darker colors being more common in sunny areas or during times of drought). A flower spike holds pale yellow to white flowers. Hybrid cultivars include 'Jade Necklace' and 'Crazy Tom Thumb'.

Crassula barbata (Bearded-Leaved Crassula, Beard Stonecrop, Baardrosie, Bearded Rosette)
This species is endemic to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, and forms a basal rosette of green foliage. Leaves have margins that produce white, thin hairs. Spikes of small, pink to white flowers bloom in spring, and after flowering the entire plant dies. Luckily, before perishing these plants usually will send out 'pups' to be propagated. They can become weedy, spreading from gardens into local habitats, especially in dry, warm regions of the globe.

Crassula barklyi (Crassula teres) (Rattlesnake Tail, Rattlesnake Buttons, Bandaged Finger, Wurmplakkie)
These tiny perennial succulent plants are native to Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, and Eswatini. They form columns of smoothly overlapping leaves that are typically green, but vary in color somewhat depending on environmental factors. Individual plants typically reach up to 1.5 to 3.5 inches tall.

Crassula biplanata
This succulent plant is native to rocky ledges and mountainous regions of the southern parts of South Africa. It reaches up to around a foot tall when mature, and produces very small light grey-green bell shaped flowers. Leaves are very small and are light grey-green, covered in a dense silvery waxy powder.

Crassula capitella thyrsiflora (Crassula corymbulosa) (Red Flames, Red Pagoda, Campfire Plant)
Gets 6-30 inches tall and a little wider, and has a slightly branching habit. Leaves form in rosettes and are red when grown in poor soil and bright sunlight. White flowers appear in summertime. These plants are frost-sensitive. A popular variety is 'Campfire' (also sold under the names Crassula coccinea and Crassula erusola), which has a spreading growth habit getting 6-12 inches tall with bright green leaves edged orange-red.

Crassula cotyledonis (Silver Crassula, Paddle Succulent, Silver Ripple Jade, Propeller Plant, Bergplakkie, Mountain Slate)
These plants form low, woody-based sparsely foliaged rosettes with light greyish-green leaves. They are native to South Africa's Namaqualand and Karoo regions. Flowers are tiny and tubular. Individual plants reach up to 6-8 inches tall.

Crassula deceptor (Alabaster Towers)
This species of succulent perennial is native to South Africa and Namibia. Leaves are variable and typically are light grey-green. Plants typically stay quite compact, and clump readily. Individual plants in this species reach up to 4-8 inches tall and 12 inches wide at maturity.

Crassula lactea (Taylor's Parch, Tailor's Patch, Knysna Crassula, White Crassula, Snowy Crassula)
This spreading shrub-like plant gets 1-2 feet tall and 3 feet wide at maturity when in bloom. Leaves are dark green and fleshy, and flowers are white and bloom in clusters. This species does well in shade, even if it is dense. These plants do well as groundcovers or in containers, where their trailing stems can spill over the sides.

Crassula marnieriana (Jade Necklace, Chinese Pagoda, Baby Necklace, Worm Plant, Jade Necklace Vine)
This species of succulents forms a slow-growing compact plant that reaches up to 6 to 8 inches tall when mature. Leaves are green, rounded and thick, and typically have red edges. Flowers are pink or white. These plants are great for containers and in hanging baskets.

Crassula mucosa (Crassula lycopodioides) (Watch Chain, Rattail Crassula, Lizard's Tail, Zipper Plant, Princess Pines, Clubmoss Crassula, Rattail)
This species has a leafy, branching, erect habit and reaches up to 1 foot tall and just as wide at maturity. It looks like a green coral plant, and produces inconspicuous green flowers. This species is very easy to grow and does well in dish gardens.

Crassula multicava (Fairy Crassula, Pitted Crassula, London Pride, Fairy Stonecrop, Cape Province Pygmyweed)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2 and gets 1.5 feet tall and twice as wide. Great as a spreading green groundcover or as a hanging plant. Clusters of pink flowers bloom in late winter and spring. This species is not picky about light conditions or soil. It is considered invasive in Australia, New Zealand, Hawai'i, and California.

Crassula nudicaulis (Devil's Horns, Naked-Stalked Crassula, Carpet Jade)
This species of Crassula reaches 8-12 inches tall and wide, forming a spreading mat of succulent foliage. Green, fleshy leaves mature to have a maroon hue to them and the plant produces small yellow flowers in clusters in summertime. These plants are native to South Africa and Lesotho, and do well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.

Crassula ovata (Crassula argentea) (Jade Plant, Lucky Plant, Money Plant, Money Tree, Friendship Tree)
This species is best when grown in USDA hardiness zones 9-12 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2. This is a great plant for indoors, for containers, or as a landscape shrub in milder climate-regions. These plants have a short trunk and a branching habit, reaching 9 feet tall and half as wide (though it is usually smaller than this) at maturity. Leaves are glossy green, sometimes with red edges and flowers bloom profusely in fall into springtime. Varieties are outlined below:

'Crosby's Dwarf'
Compact selection.

'Sunset'
Yellow-tinged red variegated foliage.

'Tricolor'
Foliage is green, white, and pink variegated.

'Gollum'
Red-tipped foliage that curls inward.

Crassula pellucida (Calico Kitten, Trailing Crassula, String of Spades)
This creeping, succulent groundcover plant does well in either sun or shade, and is native to eastern and southern Africa. Leaves are green and rounded, and flowers are white to pink and star-shaped, blooming in late summer and fall in the plant's native range. Individual plants typically reach up to 2-12 inches tall when mature.

Crassula perfoliata (Crassula falcata) (Airplane Plant, Airplane Propellers, Propeller Plant, Scarlet Paintbrush, Helicopter Plant)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2. These plants reach 4 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide at maturity. Grey-green leaves are arranged in overlapping columns and the plant produces dense clusters of scarlet flowers in late summertime. This succulent is endemic to Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Crassula pyramidalis (Pagoda Mini-Jade, Pyramid Crassula, Buddha's Temple)
This is an interesting-looking plant that reaches 3-4 feet tall and usually just as wide. Leaves are triangular and grow in four rows. This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 and is native to South Africa's Succulent Karoo ecoregion.

Crassula rupestris (Buttons On A String, Bead Vine, Necklace Vine, Rosary Vine, Kebab Bush, Concertina Plant, Sosatiebossie, Bergkraaltjies, Inrygertjie)
This species produces a rounded, heavily branched succulent shrub that reaches up to 2 feet tall. Leaves are green to blue-green, reddish along their margins. Cultivars 'High Voltage' and 'Springtime' are very popularly grown varieties.

Crassula sarcocaulis (Bonsai Crassula, Bonsai Jade)
This perennial plant is commonly used as a Bonsai, and is native to southern and southeastern Africa. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8a-11b. Pink or white flowers bloom in summertime, and smell like honey or sweet jelly. Plants reach between 1 and 1.5 feet tall and wide at maturity. Hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

Crassula schmidtii (Fairy Tongue, Red-Flowering Crassula, Desert Rose Crassula)
This species of Crassula forms a mat, getting 4 inches tall and 1 foot wide. Leaves are green and slender, and the plant produces small clusters of dark rose to purple flowers in winter and spring. Best for rock gardens and small pots.

Crassula tetragona (Miniature Pine Tree, Mini Pine Tree, Four-Angled Crassula, Bonsai Pine, Kerkei, Karkai)
This species is somewhat tree like, forming a 1-2 foot tall plant that is about 1.5 feet wide. Narrow leaves contrast against white clusters of flowers. This species is commonly used in dish gardens. Can be invasive in Southern California.

Caring for Crassula

Plant Crassula succulents in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. When these flowers are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a circumneutral pH of between 6.0 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for much of the year with supplemental waterings during extended periods of dry, warm weather. Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Crassula species vary in their life expectancies; some are annuals, others are perennials. Annuals are typically pulled at the end of the growing season, composted, and replaced the next year. Perennial species can last for a few years to over a century before needing to be replaced.

Caring for Crassula in Containers
Crassula plants do well in the ground but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. These plants prefer a rocky or sandy substrate that is well-draining. Top with a layer of rock mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Crassula plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Caring for Crassula Indoors
Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. These plants prefer a rocky or sandy substrate that is well-draining. Top with a layer of rock mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Place the Crassula in a spot that receives bright (either direct or indirect) light. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Crassula plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Propagation

The best way to propagate Crassula is by cutting in springtime. To propagate your succulent, you will need a clean, sharp knife or garden shears and a pot filled with a well-draining potting mix (if you will not be replanting in the ground). When you have gathered your materials, follow the directions below to propagate your plant:

Use your clean, sharp garden shears or knife to cut off a piece of stem with leaves. Place this cutting on its side and leave it in a dry, warm, shaded spot for at least three days. This will cause the root end to heal and form a hard callous. Doing this helps the plant avoid root rot when it gets planted in potting mix.
Fill your pot with the potting mix described above, and then place the calloused end of your cutting into the soil. Push down until the cutting can stay upright without assistance. Place the pot in a spot that receives bright, indirect light and water lightly once a week. Do not allow the soil to become too moist or dry out completely.
Your cutting should grow roots in about two weeks, whether or not it is placed in potting medium. To check for roots, lightly tug on the plant. If it resists, you have roots.

Problems and Pests

Certain species of Crassula can be invasive in some areas; see the species descriptions for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Crassula plants can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases: