Crassothonna capensis
little pickles
A quick-growing, trailing, fleshy perennial succulent with a woody base and slim, cylindrical grey-green leaves which look like little pickles (hence its common name) and turn shades of yellow, purple and red if the plant becomes stressed or light levels differ. Daisy-like bright yellow flowers emerge from small, purple pea-shaped buds and close in poor light. Ideal as ground cover or trailing over a pot or hanging basket
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
AcidColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green Red | ||
| Autumn | Green Red | |||
| Winter | Green Red |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H3Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Trailing
- Genus
A genus of flowering succulents with cylinder-shaped grey-green to red foliage and a trailing or spreading habit, grown as ground cover and in rockeries or as houseplants. Daisy-like flowers appear during the summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- South Africa (Cape)
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, acidic cactus and succulent soil in a bright, sunny location indoors or full sun or partial shade in a sheltered location outdoors. Exposure to direct sunlight will result in the plant becoming ruby red in colour; less light may make it greener and result in leggy growth. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by stem cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- hanging basket
- Houseplants
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
- Ground cover
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to mealybugs and scale insects
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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