Crassula muscosa (syn. Crassula lycopodioides) is native to South Africa and Namibia. The branching succulent is commonly known as rattail crassula or watch chain. In well as the green wild type, a cultivar with variegated leaves is also available.
Plant care
Position: The location can be full sun to partial sun. In a large pot, it can also tolerate the hot summer sun.
Crassula muscosa can spend the summer on the balcony or in the garden. However, it should be acclimatized slowly to unfiltered sunlight.
Soil: Standard mixtures for cacti and other succulents can be used.
Substrates based on pumice gravel or lava gravel are also suitable.
Watering: Water thoroughly during the growing season, from spring to fall. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Fertilizing: Monthly applications from spring to late summer with cactus fertilizer or semi-concentrated green plant fertilizer are sufficient.
Fertilizing should only be started one year after purchase or repotting.
Overwintering: If flowers are to appear in spring, Crassula muscosa must be overwintered in a cool place at 50 to 59 °F (5 to 10 °C). The substrate should be kept as dry as possible and watered only occasionally.
A warm winter location is also tolerated, but can lead to thin and unstable shoots. In order to avoid this overgrowth, watering should be reduced as described above.
Propagation
Propagation by cuttings is not complicated. Cuttings from 2 centimeters in length are suitable. They can be planted in cactus soil or bird sand immediately after cutting.
Temperatures from 20 °C are ideal for growth. It takes about 3 weeks for the first roots to appear.
Crassula “Baby Necklace”
Crassula “Morgan’s Beauty”
Crassula “Springtime”
Crassula ausensis
Crassula falcata – Propeller Plant