Crassula capitella
Crassula capitella · Crassulaceae
📷 Eric Hunt (Photograph edited by Vassil) · CC BY-SA 2.5
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around crassula capitella and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Persistent, thick and fleshy
- Flowering
- Spring-summer, small white or pink flowers
- Adult size
- 10 to 20 cm tall, compact and branched habit
- Growth
- Slow to moderate
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender, minimum 5 °C
- Origin
- South Africa
- Soil type
- Well-draining, well-aerated, low-fertility soil
Expert tips
The key tip
Arrosez modérément en croissance (printemps-été), puis réduisez drastiquement en automne-hiver : c'est une succulente qui craint l'humidité stagnante plus que la sécheresse. Un substrat très drainant (mélange cactus + perlite) est non-négociable pour éviter la pourriture racinaire.
The common mistake
La plupart des jardiniers l'arrosent trop souvent, surtout en hiver quand elle dort : elle pourrit avant de mourir de soif.
The pro's trick
Pour obtenir la belle teinte rougeâtre caractéristique des rosettes, expose-la au maximum de lumière directe possible (au moins 4-5 heures quotidiennes) ; sans cela, elle reste verte et s'étire mollement.
Seasonal watch
En automne-hiver, cessez quasi complètement l'arrosage (une fois par mois maximum) : le piège classique est de continuer à l'eau régulièrement en pensant l'aider, alors qu'elle entre en dormance et pourrira immanquablement.
Care
Watering
Water moderately during the growing season (spring-summer), allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Drastically reduce watering in autumn-winter, with very infrequent applications. Prefer bottom watering to prevent rosette rot.
Light exposure
Place the plant in full sun or very bright light to promote beautiful leaf coloration and compact growth. Insufficient light causes etiolation and weakens the plant.
Substrate and potting soil
Use a very well-draining mix: cactus and succulent soil or homemade mix composed of light potting soil, coarse sand and perlite in equal proportions. Optimal drainage is essential to prevent rot.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch young stems to encourage branching and a fuller habit. Remove dried or damaged leaves at the base. Prune lightly after flowering if the plant becomes too leggy.
Fertilization
Apply a highly diluted fertilizer for succulents once or twice in spring-summer only. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would promote soft growth at the expense of compactness.
Diseases and pests
The main threat is root rot, linked to excess moisture. Watch for mealybugs and spider mites indoors in dry air. Ensure good ventilation and appropriate watering to prevent problems.
Did you know?
Crassula capitella takes its name from the Latin "capitellum" (small head), referring to its compact and rounded flower clusters. Its fleshy and reddish leaves in full sun earned it the nickname "Campfire Crassula" in English, as its coloration resembles the embers of a campfire.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.