As a Crassula, I am a sun-loving being. To maintain my vibrant green and often red-tipped foliage, I require abundant, bright, indirect light. A south or west-facing window is my perfect spot. I will reward you with compact, sturdy growth and more intense coloration. If my light is insufficient, I will etiolate; my stems will become stretched, leggy, and pale as I desperately reach for more sunlight. While I adore light, be cautious of intense, direct afternoon sun through glass, which can scorch my leaves, leaving unsightly brown marks. A few hours of direct morning sun, however, is immensely beneficial.
My watering needs are simple but crucial. I am a succulent, storing ample water in my thick, tubular leaves. I prefer the "soak and dry" method. Please water me thoroughly until water runs out of my pot's drainage hole, then allow my soil to dry out almost completely before watering again. In warmer growing seasons (spring and summer), this might be every 1-2 weeks. In my dormant period (fall and winter), I need much less water, perhaps only once a month or less. The most common threat to my existence is overwatering. Soggy, waterlogged soil will cause my roots to rot, a condition that is often fatal. When in doubt, it is always safer to underwater me than to overwater.
My roots demand a home that provides excellent drainage and aeration. A standard potting soil will retain too much moisture and suffocate me. I thrive in a specialized succulent or cactus potting mix. For an even better environment, you can create a blend by amending a standard mix with plenty of perlite, pumice, or coarse sand (a 50:50 ratio is ideal). Equally important is my pot. It must have adequate drainage holes. Terracotta pots are an excellent choice as they are porous, allowing the soil to dry out more evenly and reducing the risk of root rot.
I enjoy comfortable room temperatures, similar to what you prefer, ranging from 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). I am not cold-hardy and cannot survive frost. If you keep me outdoors during the summer, I must be brought inside well before the first frost. While I appreciate good air circulation, please keep me away from harsh, direct drafts from heating or air conditioning vents, as this can dehydrate my leaves excessively. I can adapt to average household humidity levels and do not require any special misting.
To support my growth, a light feeding during my active growing season is appreciated. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength, or a fertilizer specifically formulated for succulents, applied once in the spring and once in the summer. Avoid feeding me in fall and winter when I am resting. I am a relatively slow grower but may eventually become top-heavy. I can be easily propagated to create new plants. Simply twist a healthy leaf or cut a stem, let it callous over for a few days, and then place it on well-draining soil. With minimal water, it will soon develop its own roots.
