Caring for your Crazy Crassula

Meet our Crazy Crassula. Isn't it weird looking?

Well, I'm delighted to introduce you to this plant. It's the second plant we've released as part of our brand new indoor plant collection.

At this time of year, if you're anything like me, you're still thinking about how you can best set yourself up for the new year. I always want to make each year the best one of my life so far, so inevitably at this time of year, I'm thinking about my work/life balance, wellbeing, and leading a healthier life. As part of this, I tend to go on a bit of a plant-buying binge at the start of every year, especially to find plants that will look great on my desk.

This leads me to this Crazy Crassula. I was drawn to this because of the wacky shape of the branches and leaves, and because it's appearance is quite unlike any plant I've ever owned.

However, it is like other plants I've owned in terms of plant care. You see, Crassula is a sub-group of succulents, which means it has great water-retaining properties. This also makes it a very easy-care plant, as you won't need to water it often. In fact, the quickest way to kill any succulent is to overwater them. They like well-drained soil and don't like their roots to be wet at all.

Here's a bit more information to help you along your way with keeping your crassula thriving.

Watering and care tips for Crassula Hottentot

Real name

Crassula Hottentot

Type of plant

Evergreen, succulent.

Location

During winter, position your crassula indoors in a place where it gets lots of sun, and where it will be relatively warm. Avoid harsh, direct sunlight for prolonged periods, especially when the plant is not used to this, because the sunlight can burn the succulent leaves.

During summer and warmer weather, you can move the Crassula outside, but if you do this, you need to gradually increase the time it is outside and in direct sunlight day by day, so that it can get acclimatised to its new surroundings.

Pot

Always plant your Crassula in a pot with good drainage holes in the bottom. Only the most experienced succulent growers should attempt to plant them in a dish with no drainage hole, as the quickest way to kill a succulent is overwater it, or leave it sitting in damp conditions. This will rot the roots and kill the plant.

Watering

This plant is a succulent, which means it needs very little watering as it stores the water in its fleshy leaves. Only water the plant when the soil feels completely dry to the touch. The best way to water it is to hold the plant in its pot under running water, and train the water on the soil of the plant, whilst being careful not to get any water on the leaves themselves. Hold the pot over the sink and allow the water to drain through the pot until it stops dripping. You can then place it back in its usual position.

After watering, you probably won't need to water the plant for another 2-3 weeks, perhaps even longer, depending on the humidity of your home. Check the soil regularly and only consider watering the plant if the soil is completely dry to the touch.

Growth and flowering

This Crassula is a slow grower which can put forth lots of small white or pink flowers in the spring and summer.

And interestingly...

From what I've been able to find out about the name of this plant, it's so-called because it somewhat resembles an afro hairstyle. I can see why people think that! However, the way the plant-naming-people-of-history chose to describe this plant is quite unfortunate, because they chose the word Hottentot to mean 'afro'. 'Hottentot' is an offensive term, used to refer to Khoikhoi peoples, who are a group of people native to southwestern Africa.