About
Crassula sarcocaulis is a shrubby perennial succulent that typically grows between 20 to 60 centimeters in height. It features upright, fleshy stems with numerous branches. The leaves are slender and pointed, displaying a mid-green hue with reddish edges, measuring 1 to 3 centimeters in length and 1 to 8 millimeters in width. In late summer, this plant produces clusters of pale pink or white flowers, which emit a scent that some may find appealing while others may not.
About the genus
Crassula encompasses a variety of growth forms, including succulent annuals, perennials, and both evergreen shrubs and sub-shrubs. These plants feature thick, fleshy leaves and produce small flowers that are either star-shaped or funnel-shaped, arranged in terminal clusters.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H3
Plant details
- Plant type
- Alpine Rockery, Cactus Succulent
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Houseplants, Rock garden, Sub-tropical
- Native to
- S Africa to Malawi
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Unusually for this genus, this is a frost-tolerant species and can tolerate temperatures down to -5°C. Grow in very well-drained soil in full sun, for example in sheltered parts of a rock garden; it can also be grown under glass, in cactus compost in full light. See hardy cacti and succulent cultivation
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown at 15-18°C in early spring, or by stem or leaf cuttings in spring or summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealybugs, vine weevils, scale insects and aphids
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free