How to care for a Crassula (succulent)
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The Crassula is a beautiful and easy to care for succulent that originates from Southern Africa. These plants are known for their fleshy leaves and their ability to store water, making them ideal for those new to gardening or looking for an easy to care for plant.
Succulents are not cacti. So if you want to know more about how to care for cacti , you should read this blog!
How to care for the Crassula
Crassula plants are hardy and easy to care for, but they do require certain conditions to flourish. Here’s what you need to know to properly care for your Crassula.
How much water does a Crassula need?
Crassula plants are succulents, so they don’t need a lot of water. It’s actually better to under-water than over-water, as over-watering can lead to root rot. Water your Crassula about once every two weeks, and let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
How much light does a Crassula need?
Crassula plants prefer bright, direct or indirect light. If your Crassula does not get enough light, the stems may become stretched and the plant may lose its compact shape. It will also use less water and be more likely to develop root rot. If the leaves of the Crassula turn yellow or brown, it may be getting too much direct sunlight. Make sure to adjust the location of the plant or provide some shade if necessary. If there is too little light, the Crassula will drop its leaves.
Which potting soil to use for a Crassula?
Crassula plants need well-draining soil so that excess water can drain away and the roots are not damaged. So use a potting soil that is specifically formulated for succulents . This reduces the chance of growth problems and as mentioned earlier also the chance of root rot. Find out what root rot is here!
Need fertilizer for Crassula?
Crassula plants do not need much fertilizer, but you can feed them once a month during the growth period (summer) with a fertilizer for succulents. For the Crassula it is best to use a fertilizer that is specifically for succulents, these fertilizers help to promote flowering and prevent too much growth.
Common problems with Crassula
Although Crassula plants are generally easy to care for, there are a few common problems you may encounter. Most of the time, the problems can be traced back to two causes: overwatering and pests.
To prevent overwatering, make sure you allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings and only water your plant when the top layer of soil feels dry again.
You also need to watch out for insects on your plant. Some insects feed on the leaves of a plant, causing holes and tears in the leaf tissue. This results in the growth and development of the Crassula being hindered, because the leaves are important for photosynthesis and the absorption of nutrients. So if you see white insects or sticky residue, try treating it with an insecticide.
Too much water given to Crassula
As described above, overwatering can lead to root rot , which can kill your Crassula plant. Make sure the soil dries out completely between waterings.
Insects on the Crassula plant
As mentioned earlier, insects can have a number of effects on your plant. Crassula plants are generally resistant to pests, but they can be susceptible to powdery mildew and scale insects. If you see pests on your Crassula, treat them with an insecticide specifically formulated for succulents.
Types of Crassula
There are many different types of Crassula, each with their own unique appearance and care needs. Here are a few of the most popular types:
- Crassula Ovata (Jade Plant)
- Crassula Marnieria 'Hottentot'
- Crassula Moonglow
Crassula cuttings
Crassula plants are easy to propagate using leaves or stems. Here is how to propagate your Crassula in a few steps:
With stem:
1. Take a healthy mature Crassula plant and choose a sturdy stem (with 1 or more leaves still on it).
2.Then take a pair of pruning shears and cut about 5 to 10 cm off the stem.
3. Leave the stem alone for 1 or 2 days to allow the wound to 'heal' and prevent the stem from rotting.
4. Next, place the stem in a pot with succulent potting soil , making sure that about 2cm of the stem is sticking out into the soil and that your stem is standing upright.
5. Place the pot in a spot with indirect sunlight and give it a little water (make sure the soil always remains slightly moist, but not too wet).
6. And voila! After 2 to 3 weeks the cutting should start to root and develop new leaves.
With leaves:
1. Take a healthy mature Crassula plant and cut several leaves from the stem.
2. Let the leaves dry for a week.
3. Then place the leaves on the soil in a pot with potting soil for succulents .
4.Then spray the leaves with water every 2 to 3 days for about 2 months.
5.With some patience, you will then see your plant slowly start to grow.
Good luck with propagating your Crassula plant!
Fallen succulent leaf
Take a leaf from your Crassula and place it on your windowsill to dry. After a few days, place it on a pot with moist potting soil. The leaf will form roots and form a new plant.
Warning! To propagate a Crassula requires a lot of patience!
The Crassula is a beautiful and easy to maintain succulent that is easy to care for and has many different varieties. By providing the right conditions, you can easily keep your crassula plant healthy and propagate it.
