Crassula
Originally native to South Africa and
Madagascar, Crassula is a very large genus of succulent plants. Within this
family is an extensive array of species, as well as hundreds of hybrids
and cultivars. Because they tend to be hardy, these plants are often fixtures
of xeriscapes: water conserving gardens. In addition to many subspecies being
drought tolerant, they are available in a wide range of shapes, colors, and
sizes. Some varieties grow to be large shrubs, while others top out at an inch in height, which makes these plants ideal for garden areas that need low-growing or mid-sized flora. Crassula can compliment just about any outdoor living space no
matter the size or design aesthetic.
Popular Varieties
- C. arborescens, which are often referred to as
silver jade plants, have flat, colorful, oval leaves and produce clusters of
pink flowers.
- C. coccinea produces pointed yellow leaves,
which change to red. In addition, this vareity blooms with masses of
pale-yellow flowers.
- C. falcate has bladelike leaves that overlap along the stems,
and produces a stunning crimson bloom in autumn.
- C. multicava is a ground-covering plant that
can thrive in sunless areas of a yard. This variety produces small, green oval
leaves, and in spring blooms with white star-like flowers.
- C. ovata are small trees with silver-dollar
sized leaves very common to Southwestern area of the US. Better known as jade
plants, this variety grows leaves that can be green, yellow, and red. In the
spring or winter these plants will produce star shaped clusters of flowers.
- C. perforata, which can be thrive indoors, in
containers, or in the ground grows stacked leaves. In the spring, pale yellow
flowers will bloom from this variety.
- C. pubescens produces green oval leaves that
turn to red when exposed to direct sunlight. In the spring, pale yellow flowers
will bloom from this variety.
- C. tetragona produces long, slender pointed
leaves which adds to its resemblance to a tiny pine tree. Late spring is when this
variety will produce clusters of yellow flowers.
From Crassula to Succulents
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