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Alpine RockeryCactus Succulent

Crassula sarcocaulis

bonsai crassula

A shrubby perennial succulent, 20-60cm high, with erect fleshy stems and many branches; leaves are narrow, pointed, red-tinged mid-green, 1-3cm long and 1-8mm wide. Clusters of starry pale pink or white flowers appear in late summer; the flowers are scented but not everybody finds the scent pleasant

Synonyms

Sedum sarcocaule hort.

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

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)

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 to Malawi

How to grow

Cultivation

Unusually for this genus, this is a frost-tolerant species and can tolerate temperatures down to -5°C. Grow in very well-drained soil in full sun, for example in sheltered parts of a rock garden; it can also be grown under glass, in cactus compost in full light. See hardy cacti and succulent cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 15-18°C in early spring, or by stem or leaf cuttings in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Houseplants
Rock garden
Sub-tropical
Low Maintenance
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, vine weevils, scale insects and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

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