From my perspective, the most dangerous and common threat is too much water. When you overwater me, you are essentially suffocating my root system. My roots need oxygen as much as they need water; they are living, breathing parts of me. When you saturate the soil, you push out all the air pockets. My roots begin to rot in this waterlogged, anaerobic environment. This rot is a silent killer; it starts unseen beneath the soil surface. As it progresses, it prevents me from absorbing any water or nutrients at all, ironically creating symptoms that mimic thirst. The first sign you might see is my leaves becoming soft, mushy, and translucent. They may turn a yellow or black color before dropping off with the slightest touch. My stem might also feel soft and look shriveled, a sure sign of advanced rot.
While I am a drought-tolerant plant, I still require hydration to perform my basic functions. When you underwater me, I am forced to rely on the moisture stored in my thick, succulent leaves. I will begin to consume these internal water reserves to survive. This process presents very clear physical signs. My once plump and firm leaves will start to look wrinkled, shriveled, and thinner. They will lose their rigidity and may feel limp or leathery to the touch. Another key signal is leaf deflation; they may start to curl inward or fold like a taco to reduce their surface area and minimize water loss. The soil will also be a clear indicator—it will be completely dry, hard, and may have pulled away from the edges of the pot. My growth will also slow or stop entirely as I enter a state of conservation.
You can best understand my needs by gently feeling my leaves. This simple action tells you everything. If I am suffering from overwatering, my leaves will feel soft, mushy, and cool. They will be saturated with water they cannot use and will often fall off easily. If I am suffering from underwatering, my leaves will feel thin, wrinkled, and crispy or leathery. They are dehydrated and desperate for moisture. They will not be mushy; they will be dry. A healthy leaf on a Crassula like me should feel firm, turgid, and plump.
Always check my soil before you water. Do not rely on a schedule. Push your finger an inch or two into the soil. If it feels cold, wet, and clings to your skin, I am too wet. If it is bone dry, hard, and dusty, I am too dry. Furthermore, examine my stem. A soft, squishy, blackened, or brown stem near the soil line is a catastrophic sign of overwatering and stem rot. A stem that is overly woody, brittle, or shriveled can indicate severe, prolonged underwatering where I am consuming my own structural tissues to stay alive.
