Crassula muscosa var. muscosa

RHS Plant Profile
rat tail cypress

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Synonyms

Crassula lycopodiodes f. acuminata
Crassula pseudolycopodioides

Cactus Succulent

A spreading, perennial succulent forming a dense bush to 25cm tall. The scrambling branches are completely covered with neat ranks of tiny, scale-like leaves. Bears minute, tubular, greenish-yellow flowers in spring

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Crassulaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Crassula can be succulent annuals, perennials, evergreen shrubs or sub-shrubs, with fleshy leaves and small, star-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers in a terminal cluster
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
S Africa, Namibia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in pots of cactus compost in full light. Water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly during the growing season; water sparingly in winter. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 15°C in early spring, or stem or leaf cuttings in spring and summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, vine weevil and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free