How to Grow and Care for Crassula brevifolia (Crassula pearsonii) Indoors

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Botanical name: Crassula brevifolia
Synonym: Crassula flavovirens, Crassula pearsonii Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Crassula brevifolia

Description

Crassula brevifolia also called Crassula pearsonii is a small, much-branched, perennial, succulent shrub whose branches bear thick, fleshy, green, triangular-shaped leaves which turn yellowish-green in bright light.

The leaves have pink edges and small pink spots on the surface called hydathodes which are important for absorbing moisture from the air in their natural habitat.

Crassula brevifolia leaves are curved upwards, arranged in opposite pairs around the stem and are covered with a thick bloom.

Crassula brevifolia branches start off green-colored but become woody with a flaking brown bark as they age.

Flower

Crassula brevifolia Succulent blooms in fall although it is unlikely to flower when grown indoors. The flowers are pink and appear in a rounded or irregularly branched cluster.

Size

Crassula brevifolia is a small bush which grows to a height of about 1.5 ft and about 2-3 ft wide.

Origin

Crassula brevifolia also called Crassula flavovirens is native to the arid western edge of South Africa and southern Namibia.

Toxicity

Crassula brevifolia like its cousin, Jade Plant, is considered toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA.

If ingested it can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Keep the plant away from the reach of children and pets.

Where to Buy

If you would like to add this beauty to your collection, Crassula brevifolia is available online at Etsy. Buy Crassula brevifolia online from Etsy.

Crassula brevifolia Care Indoors

Crassula brevifolia Succulent prefers bright light with direct sunlight of at least 4-6 hours, average warmth and well-drained soil that is low in organic matter coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Crassula brevifolia has no need for high humidity. Repotting is only needed when it is pot-bound or when the potting medium is completely broken down.

Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat, to reduce pest and disease infestations and to rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Watering

Water Crassula brevifolia deeply during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings to avoid rotting.

Lessen the amount and frequency of watering in the cold period as growth is reduced at this time, thus, the plant needs very little water.

Use water that is at room temperature to water the plant to avoid shocking it as it can cause sudden leaf drop.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the Crassula brevifolia from sitting in soggy soil which can lead to rotting and death of the plant.

Be careful not to wet the foliage to avoid fungal diseases or water from the bottom instead.

Light Requirements

Crassula brevifolia requires bright light with at least 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunlight. Keep it away from midday hot direct sunshine to avoid scorching the leaves.

You can grow the plant outdoors, however, gradually acclimate it and place it in a shaded place to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and to prevent lopsided growth.

If the light is not sufficient, the plant will become etiolated with elongated stems and pale leaves.

Crassula brevifolia can also be grown under a grow light where the natural lighting is not adequate.

Temperature and Humidity

Crassula brevifolia prefers an average warmth between 16-24⁰C during the growing season and a minimum of 10⁰C in the cold season. Keep it away from frost and cold drafts like windy doors and windows as they can result in loss of leaf color and death of the plant.

Crassula brevifolia has no need for extra humidity. Average room humidity is ideal for this plant. Clean the leaves regularly by splashing water on them to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations.

Ensure that there is good air circulation for the Crassula brevifolia to prevent fungal disease infestations which are prevalent in damp, poorly ventilated conditions.

Fertilizer

Crassula brevifolia is not a heavy feeder, therefore, feed it monthly during the growing season with a Cactus and Succulents Fertilizer for a lush growth.

Do not feed it in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.

Potting Medium

The best soil for Crassula brevifolia should be loose, low in organic matter and one that drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out easily.

Cactus and Succulents soils like these Cactus and Succulents Mixes available online at Etsy are ideal for the Crassula brevifolia.

Repotting

Repot Crassula brevifolia at the beginning of the growing season only when it becomes pot-bound or when the potting medium is completely broken down. Use a pot that is 1 size larger than the current one to avoid overpotting and retention of excess water.

Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to prevent root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.

Use a clay pot as it is porous and allows the soil to dry out faster to keep it from staying wet for too long.

Before repotting, ensure that the soil is dry. Slip the Crassula brevifolia out of its pot and brush off soil from the roots. Snip off any dead or dry roots and treat the wounds with a fungicidal solution.

Place the plant in its new pot and back fill with fresh, loose, free-draining soil while spreading the roots as you fill the pot.

Do not fill the pot to the brim but leave about 1 in. unfilled to allow for watering space.

Put back the plant to its display position and keep it dry for about 5-7 days to reduce the risk of rot-root disease.

Pruning

Pruning Crassula brevifolia is easy as it involves removal of any dead or diseased leaves to keep it neat and also reduce pest and disease infestations.

Snip the leaves at the base with a sterilized knife or pair of scissors to prevent diseases transmission.

Cut back the plant at the beginning of the growing season if it is has become too large and unruly to encourage a compact growth.

Minimize the number of cuts as much as possible to avoid unnecessary injuries to reduce fungal disease infestations.

Propagation

Crassula brevifolia can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from offsets, leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

How to propagate Crassula brevifolia from stem cuttings

Take 2-3 in. stem cuttings from a healthy Crassula brevifolia and allow the cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days.

Once callused, insert the lower cut end of the stem cuttings in moist, well-drained, rooting soil.

Place the set up in a well-lit, warm place and maintain the soil slightly moist until the stem cuttings are rooted. Rooting may take about 2 weeks.

Make sure that there is good air circulation to reduce the risk of fungal diseases infestations.

Allow substancial growth before transplanting the new Crassula brevifolia after which you can begin routine care.

How to propagate Crassula brevifolia Succulent from offsets

Carefully seperate the offset from the mother Crassula brevifolia by cutting with a clean, sharp knife while ensuring that the offset has adequate roots.

Pot the offset in its individual pot in moist, loose, free-draining soil and place in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

Maintain the soil slightly moist through out until the new Crassula brevifolia is well established after which you can begin routine care.

How to propagate Crassula brevifolia from leaf cuttings

Take leaf cuttings complete with the petiole from a healthy Crassula brevifolia. Allow the leaf cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.

Once calloussed, lay the leaf cutting on moist, free-draining, rooting mix while ensuring that the cut end does not come into contact with the soil to prevent rotting.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil slight moist. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

With time, the leaf cutting will form roots and eventually a small rosette will form at the base of the leaf cutting.

Allow substancial growth of the rosette before transplanting the new Crassula brevifolia into individual pots after which routine care can begin.

Crassula brevifolia Common Problems

Crassula brevifolia problems include leaf drop, leggy growth, leaf spots, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.

Leggy growth and yellowing

Leggy growth and yellowing in Crassula brevifolia is due to two possible reasons. One possible reason is overwatering or soggy soil in the cold season.

Significantly reduce watering during the cold season as growth is reduced at this time, therefore, the plant does not need much water.

In addition, make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy.

The second possible reason for leggy growth and yellowing in Crassula brevifolia is too little light during the growing season.

Position the plant in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight during the growing season or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is too little.

Pests

Common pests in Crassula brevifolia are scale insects, mealy bugs and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to other houseplants.

Spray the plant with an Insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests. Make sure to cover the entire plant.

Diseases

Besides leaf spot disease, Crassula brevifolia is also prone by powdery mildew and black leg disease which are prevalent in overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to other houseplants and treat it with Neem oil. Improve ventilation and make sure that there is free air circulation for the plant.

Water the Crassula brevifolia from the bottom to avoid wetting the rosette of leaves and always allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Do not allow the plant to sit in soggy soil by ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy.

Leaf drop (loss)

Leaf drop (loss) in Crassula brevifolia is due to two possible causes. One possible cause is watering the plant with very cold water which results in plant shock.

Use water that is at room temperature to water the plant to avoid shocking this tropical plant.

The second possible cause of leaf drop (loss) in Crassula brevifolia is underwatering which results in too little moisture in the soil.

This means that the plant cannot obtain enough water to take up to the leaves for food making. To save energy needed for the vital functions, the plant drops the leaves.

To prevent leaf drop, water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Decrease watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for too long.

Brown dry leaf spots

Brown dry leaf spots in Crassula brevifolia are due to keeping the soil dry for too long during the growing season.

Water the Crassula brevifolia thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the to dry out between waterings but do not allow it to be too dry for extended periods.

Brown soft leaf spots

Brown soft leaf spots in Crassula brevifolia are caused by leaf spot disease which is prevalent in poorly aerated, overwet (damp) conditions.

Improve the ventilation and make sure that there is good air circulation at all times. In addition, water the Crassula brevifolia from the bottom to avoid wetting the leaves.