June has arrived, which means you should be expecting your new Succulent Subscription Box delivered to your door any time now! This month we are featuring 4 varieties of our lovely Crassula plants in your Succulents Box: Baby Necklace, Red Pagoda, Tiger Jade, and Calico Kitten. We thought you would want to learn more about each of them and how you can provide the best care for these Crassulas as they become the new additions to your succulent collection.
WHAT IS CRASSULA?
Crassula is a genus of succulent plants that includes more than 350 species indigenous to many different parts of the world. The most popular species used in gardening are mostly native to the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Crassula species vary in size, some are less than 1-inch ground covers while some living in warm climates can grow into 6-foot shrubs. Crassulas make great houseplants and are perfect to grow in containers thanks to their easy growing habit, low maintenance, evergreen and eye-catching nature.
Propagation
You can propagate crassulas by division, offsets or leaf cuttings. The easiest way is to propagate from a single leaf: placing the leaf into a succulent or cacti mix, then covering the dish until they sprout.
Soil
It’s important to provide porous soil with adequate drainage. However, crassulas are not picky when it comes to soil pH. They will do well in sandy or even rocky soil.
Sun exposure
Bright, filtered light and ample airflow are recommended to attain their most vibrant colors. But most Crassula plants need some shade in the hottest period of summer to avoid sunburn. Growing them in a place with morning sun and afternoon shade would be the most ideal.
Water
Water thoroughly only when the soil is dry to the touch (about every 2 weeks). Never let your succulents sit in water and do NOT water on the leaves. Don't forget to learn how to water your succulents the right way.
You can water more often if you live in areas with hot weather because your soil will dry out faster. Reduce watering in winter because the succulent can lose its roots if the soil stays cold and wet for an extended amount of time. Make sure to protect from frost to prevent scarring.
Feeding
Feed sparingly. You can give your plants a little organic fertilizer in mid-spring, as they start actively growing.
Pests and Diseases
Despite being easy to grow, Crassulas are vulnerable to mealy bugs and other fungal diseases. Pay close attention to the condition of the plants so that you can notice the diseases at an early stage. You can find our detailed instructions on how to get rid of mealy bugs on our blog.
Crassula Baby Necklace
Crassula Baby Necklace is a special plant that has small, rounded and tightly stacked leaves with many colors similar to a string of beads on a necklace. Therefore, it is also known as ‘String of Buttons’, with Crassula rupestris ssp. This plant has excellent tolerance to drought and cold weather although it prefers to be protected under the sun. Baby Necklaces can grow up to 6″-12″ tall and are commonly grown in the quartz stone fields.
They have wonderful trailing stems for hanging basket. They can grow up so fast in succulent garden or window sill. They prefer bright light but not direct noon sun. They need very little water and only when the soil is dry.
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Flowers: Produces yellow flowers in autumn
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Crassula Red Pagoda
Crassula Red Pagoda is a branching perennial succulent. It initially looks like pink-tinged rosettes; later the leaves can become pagoda shaped and with proper care can turn red. Some specimens are redder than others. If you have a grow light or a sunny porch/garden, the green one will quickly turn pink and red at the tips. The more sun you give it, the redder it gets.
Red Pagoda’s color is brightest in winter in response to short, cool nights and bright sunlight. But we recommend taking the plant inside if the temperature goes down below freezing.
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: A well-drained succulent mix
Hardiness: Zone 9 (20°F).
Crassula Tiger Jade
Crassula Picturata Tiger Jade is an awesome small-sized succulent with geometric growth pattern. The plant has unique colors: dark green leaves with black spots and purple undersides. Pale pink and white flowers usually bloom in early summer.
Light: Full sun, requires bright light for a minimum of 6 hours
Water: Allow plant to completely dry between thorough waterings
Hardiness: Zones 9-11, Cold Hardy from 20° to 30°F
Crassula Calico Kitten
Crassula Calico Kitten is an adorable succulent that grows long trailing branches of colorful heart-shaped leaves. The leaves have a lovely combination of rose, pink, cream and green shades. It’s perfect for hanging baskets or to spill over rock walls or path edges. Calico Kitten blooms in late spring to early summer.
Sun Exposure: Full sun, sun to partial shade, light shade
Bloom Color: Rose/Mauve, Pale Yellow, Green
Where to Grow: Suitable for growing in containers. This plant is suitable for growing indoors.
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Update: We're all sold out of the Crassula Red Pagoda and will replace it with the Crassula Pagoda Village in your subscription box from now until the end of June.
Crassula Pagoda Village
Crassula Pagoda Village grows triangular-shaped and stacked leaves that look like the structure of a pagoda on short stems. Their leaves might have red, purple, or green colors. They can grow up to 9 inches and bloom tiny white flowers, sometimes flowers are pink. They grow best in well-drained soil in light shade. They need to be protected from frost.
Soil: Well-Drained, Rich, Gritty
Light: Full Sun
Bloom Time: Mid Summer, Late Summer/Early Fall
Flower Color: White
Hardiness:
Zone 8b 15 to 20 °F
Zone 9a 20 to 25 °F
You can refer to this Plant Hardiness Zone Map from USDA to determine which zone your area belongs to.
Image source: USDA
We hope this complete care guide for Crassula plants will be helpful for you when you get your new Subscription Box this month. You can expect to receive from 1 to 4 of the plants featured, depending on the subscription plan you chose. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you might have on how to care for Crassulas.
Collectors, enjoy your lovely Succulents Boxes!
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