Crassula

Crassula ovata

Jade Plant

A succulent subshrub from the arid Cape regions of South Africa, with thick water-storing leaves and stems built to endure drought. It wants gritty, fast-draining mix and a bright spot with several hours of direct sun. Water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely, checking that the leaves stay firm rather than shriveled — standing wet, it rots readily.

Crassula perforata

String of Buttons

Crassula perforata is a succulent subshrub native to the dry Cape and KwaZulu-Natal regions of South Africa, with stacked, water-storing leaves climbing the stem. It wants gritty, fast-draining mix and bright light, including some direct sun, and stores enough water to tolerate long dry spells. Water deeply only once the soil has fully dried through, and let it approach dryness again before the next watering — it rots far more readily than it thirsts.

Crassula muscosa

Toy-cypress

Crassula muscosa is a succulent subshrub from the arid Cape and Namibian interior, with tightly stacked scale-like leaves that store water. Grow it in gritty, fast-draining mix in bright light with some direct sun, and water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely — let the top several centimetres go fully dry, then water. It tolerates dry indoor air and rots if kept wet, so err toward the longer interval.

Crassula arborescens

Jade Plant

Crassula arborescens is a succulent subshrub from the Cape Provinces of South Africa, where it grows in bright, arid conditions and stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and the brightest light you can offer, ideally some direct sun. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely to the bottom of the pot — when the leaves begin to feel slightly soft is your cue it is genuinely thirsty.

Crassula capitella

Redspot Stonecrop

Crassula capitella is a succulent subshrub from the dry, sunny grasslands and rocky slopes of southern Africa, storing water in its fleshy leaves. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely — wait until the lower leaves feel slightly soft before watering again. It rots quickly if left sitting wet, so err toward keeping it too dry rather than too moist.

Crassula multicava

Cape Province Pygmyweed

Crassula multicava is a succulent subshrub from the Cape Provinces and KwaZulu-Natal, storing water in its fleshy leaves and tolerating dry spells far better than wet feet. It wants gritty, fast-draining mix and bright indirect light, with some shade tolerance reflecting its native habit. Water only when the top inch or two of mix is fully dry, and let it approach dryness between drinks to avoid rot.

Crassula tetragona

Baby Pine Of China

Crassula tetragona is a succulent subshrub from the arid Cape Provinces of South Africa, with upright stems and narrow, fleshy needle-like leaves that store water. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and bright sun; let the soil dry out completely and water only when the leaves begin to feel slightly soft or the mix is dry several inches down. It rots quickly if kept wet, so err toward neglect.

Crassula rupestris

Concertina Bush

A succulent subshrub from the arid Cape Provinces and Namibia, storing water in its stacked, fleshy leaves and resenting wet feet. Plant it in gritty, fast-draining mix and water deeply only when the soil has dried out completely, including the lower root zone. Give it the brightest light you can — a sunny windowsill with several hours of direct sun.

Crassula perfoliata

Propeller Plant

A succulent subshrub from the dry summer-rainfall regions of southern Africa, Crassula perfoliata stores water in its fleshy leaves and is far more tolerant of drought than of standing moisture. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and bright direct light, and water only when the soil has dried out completely through the pot. Err toward dryness, since the swollen leaves carry the plant through long dry spells and rot quickly if kept wet.

Crassula pellucida

Calico Kitten

Crassula pellucida is a succulent subshrub from southern and eastern Africa, with fleshy leaves that store water against dry spells. Give it gritty, fast-draining mix and bright light, ideally some direct sun where you can provide it. Water deeply but infrequently, only once the soil has dried out completely — when the mix is dry several inches down and the leaves feel slightly soft rather than firm.