As a Crassula, light is my lifeblood. It is the essential ingredient for photosynthesis, the miraculous process where my leaves, with their specialized cells, convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into the sugars that fuel my growth. Without sufficient light, this process slows to a crawl. My stems become weak and stretch out awkwardly, reaching for any available photon in a desperate attempt called etiolation. My compact, beautiful form becomes leggy and pale. Adequate sunlight ensures I can manufacture enough energy to maintain my vibrant green or red-tinged coloration, grow new, tightly packed leaves, and develop a strong, sturdy structure.
My ideal lighting condition in your US home is bright, indirect light for a minimum of 6 hours per day. Think of a spot where the sun's rays do not strike my leaves directly for prolonged periods but where the ambient light is very strong and well-defined shadows are cast. An east-facing windowsill is often perfect, offering the gentle morning sun. A south or west-facing window can also be excellent, but I may need to be placed a few feet back from the glass or slightly to the side to avoid the intense, scorching afternoon rays, especially during the summer months. This filtered light provides the full spectrum I need without the risk of sunburn.
I will communicate my distress through clear physical signs. Please observe my leaves and stems closely. If I am not receiving enough light, you will notice my natural compact shape beginning to stretch. The spaces between my leaves will widen, my stems will become thin and weak, and I may start to lean heavily toward the light source. My rich green color may fade to a washed-out pale green or yellow. Conversely, too much direct, harsh sunlight, particularly the hot summer sun through a west-facing window, will cause sunburn. This appears as brown, crispy, or white scorched patches on the uppermost leaves. These patches are permanent scars and cannot be repaired, though I can continue to grow if moved to a less intense spot.
My light requirements shift with the seasons due to the sun's changing angle and intensity across the United States. During the spring and summer, the sun is higher and stronger. You might need to pull me back from a south or west window or use a sheer curtain to diffuse the light. In the fall and winter, the sun is lower and weaker. This is the time when I can tolerate—and often truly benefit from—several hours of direct sunlight through a south-facing window. This helps compensate for the shorter days and prevents etiolation. If natural light is consistently insufficient, especially in northern states, supplementing with a grow light for a few hours a day will keep me healthy and thriving.
