Crassula

Origin

The genus *Crassula* belongs to the Crassulaceae family and comprises approximately 300 succulent species. Due to its thick, fleshy leaves, it is often called "thickleaf". Originally, it is found almost exclusively in Africa. The CAM process (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) is also named after this genus, whereby carbon dioxide is absorbed at night through the stomata and then used for photosynthesis during the day. You can find our blog articles on the genus *Crassula* here .

Appearance

The genus includes annual and perennial species. Some Crassula species grow low and flat, others into tall shrubs. The opposite leaves are often fused at the base. The inflorescences are racemose and branched and have white or pink flowers. In a few species they are also dark red.

Care

Location: Crassula prefer a bright, sunny spot. With enough light, the plants grow nicely and compactly. A sunny south-facing window is best, or outdoors in summer.
Substrate: A mixture of cactus and succulent soil and mineral components is suitable as a substrate. The substrate should always be loose and permeable to avoid waterlogging.
Watering: Crassula doesn't need much water. Therefore, it's better to water too little than too much, and always allow the substrate to dry out completely between waterings. The water should always be able to drain away, otherwise the roots will start to rot.
Fertilizer: During the growing season, Crassula can be fertilized approximately every four weeks with cactus and succulent fertilizer. During the dormant winter period, the succulents no longer require fertilizer.
Summer/Winter: In summer, the succulent can be placed outdoors after gradually acclimating it to direct sunlight. It should be brought back indoors at temperatures below 5°C. During the winter dormancy period, the temperature should be around 10°C to 15°C, watering should be largely stopped, and fertilizing should be completely omitted. This promotes flowering. Overwintering at room temperature is also possible, as long as it is bright and watered very sparingly.

Popular species

Crassula 'Money Maker Variegata': This plant is a hybrid and has a bushy growth habit. The leaves are green with a slight variegation and the flower is star-shaped and white to light yellow. The height is 25 cm to 35 cm.
Crassula 'Coral': This succulent is also a hybrid and got its name 'Coral' because of its coral-like leaves. The flower is white to pink and also star-shaped. The plant grows to a height of 15 cm to 20 cm. You can find a blog article about Crassula 'Coral' here .

Note: Crassula is generally not poisonous, however, no guarantee can be given for its compatibility with animals.