Propagating Crassula

 

Crassula plants are hairless succulent that are native to southern Africa. It’s now common in households all over the world as it’s easy to propagate and expand a growing collection. This great characteristic is what’s responsible for its growth in the wild.

So then, how can you go about propagating Crassula plants at home to start growing your own? This guide will explain.

How To Propagate Crassula Plants

There are two methods of propagation for Crassula Plants. You can either propagate using leaves or the stem.

Leaves are mostly used when the plant is still young and the stems aren’t long enough. Gently remove the leaf (you should be able to just wiggle it off firmly but gently) and leave it for a few days to dry out and callous. From here, place it into a pot of well-draining succulent soil and cover the leaf with a thin layer of soil. It will develop its own roots soon enough and become a new, independent Crassula plant.

In terms of using a stem for propagating Crassula succulents, the section should be around four creeps in length. Again, leave it to thoroughly dry out for a few days so it can callous and be ready for planting. Place it into a pot of well-draining soil, lightly cover and wait for it to root.

Both stem and leaf cuttings need high humidity for proper growth. Therefore, once planted in soil, place a covering over the pot to create the required humidity. This is particularly important if you don’t live in a naturally humid environment. 

Crassula Plant Growing Tips

Here are a few extra tips to ensure you have the best chance of successfully propagating your Crassula plants and maintaining them as mature succulents.

Light

Crassula succulents prefer full sun. Keep them in a spot where they can get as much as possible, such as a windowsill. If they don’t get enough, they still start to get leggy.

They also grow best in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and between 50 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

Soil

Since Crassula succulents are native to South Africa, they are used to growing in sandy soil. As such, make sure your soil has a heavier sand content than normal. Combine a mixture of sand, peat moss, and other organic matter to allow for proper draining and optimal growing conditions.

While well-draining soil is a must-have, Crassula succulents aren’t very fussy about their pH levels. You can also add some small rocks/pebbles to the soil without damaging its growth potential.

Watering

Watering your Crassula succulents is one of the most important things to get right. It’s a succulent, meaning that it doesn't need to be watered very often. Watering it too often will result in rotten roots, which is one of the most common causes of succulent death. 

Only water the plant once its soil has completely dried out. Water directly onto the soil until it's soaked.

Mature Plant Size

Mature Crassula succulents come in a wide range of shapes and sizes; shrubs can grow several feet tall while the smaller species will only grow a couple of inches long. 

For the most part mature Crassula succulents don’t need to be shaped or pruned.

Bloom Period

Crassula succulents may bloom in spring and summer, and several species will flower. Many people prefer to remove succulent flowers that don’t quite look the part, but Crassula succulents can grow for years without ever blooming. This goes for both wild and homegrown plants.

Some Crassula succulents require a dry, arid environment to flower. Therefore, if you would like your Crassula to bloom, it must be grown in dry conditions, is holding lots of water and is exposed to cooler temperatures at night.

Additional Uses

Crassula succulents can be used for more than just to decorate the home. For example, they can be used as a herbal remedy to treat a variety of health issues. 

However, eating them directly is not a good idea, especially for pets and children as it can be very toxic, so keep them at a safe distance.