Sunglow Plant (Crassula coccinea) Indoor Care, Propagation, Common Issues and Solutions
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Sunglow Plant (Crassula coccinea) blossoms in bright light with some direct sunlight, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Crassula coccinea also called Red Crassula is one of the popular Crassula plants varieties whose stems are clothed with leathery triangular leaves which look like they are stacked on top of each other.
Botanical name: Crassula coccinea
Synonym Rochea coccinea
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Sunglow Plant, Red Crassula
Origin
Crassula coccinea also called Rochea coccinea is native to Eastern Cape of South Africa where it is found growing on bare rocks or shrubby slopes.
Size
Sunglow Plant grows to a height of about 1-1.5 feet and bears showy clusters of red tubular flowers. On account of its compact size, Red Crassula like Crassula ovata (Jade Plant), Crassula picturata (Tiger Jade Crassula) and Crassula elegans (Elegant Crassula) is among the best plants for the limited spaces.
Varieties
There are two main varieties of Red Crassula that are popular as houseplants. These are alba which bears red flowers and bicolor which bears red and white flowers.
Toxicity
Like its cousins the Jade Plants, Sunglow Plant is considered mildly toxic to both humans and pets. If ingested it can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Keep the Red Crassula away from the reach of children and pets.
Crassula coccinea Care Indoors
Sunglow Plant (Crassula coccinea) flourishes in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 15-240C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Crassula coccinea has no need for frequent repotting as it blooms best when pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat as well as reduce pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Sunglow Plant thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top half of the soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist.
Cut down on watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting and eventual death of the plant.
Light Requirements
Sunglow Plant grows best under bright light with 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunshine. Shield it from too hot direct sunshine as it can cause scorching of the leaves.
It may also be grown under grow lights where the natural light is not adequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and to prevent lopsided growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 15-240C in the growing season with a minimum of 120C during the cold season is ideal for Sunglow Plant. Keep it away from cold drafts as they can cause stunted growth and leaf drop.
Average room humidity of 50-55% is adequate for the Red Crassula. It does not require extra humidity as it is a drought tolerant plant.
Fertilizer
Feed your Sunglow Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks when the plant is actively growing (during the growing period).
Withhold feeding in the dormancy period (cold season) as growth is minimal at this time and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn.
Flush out accumulated salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow it to run for a few minutes and repeat the process several times.
Potting Mix
The best soil for Sunglow Plant should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. Cactus and succulents soils are ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot your Sunglow Plant during the growing period only when the plant becomes root-bound as it blooms best when pot-bound.
Use a shallow pot for Red Crassula as it has a small root system. The pot should only be one size larger than the current one. A heavy pot is recommended to prevent the plant from toppling over as it can get top heavy. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Select a clay pot for the Sunglow Plant as a clay pot is porous and therefore allows the soil to dry out faster which prevents it from staying wet for too long. Take a look at these terracotta pots with saucer on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Sunglow Plant requires removal of dead leaves and flowers to maintain the plant neat as well as discourage pests and diseases.
Propagation
Sunglow Plant (Crassula coccinea) can be propagated from stem cuttings at the beginning of the growing period.
How to propagate Sunglow Plant from stem cuttings
Take a 4-6 inches stem cutting from a healthy Sunglow Plant and allow stem cuttings to dry (callus) for 2-3 days to prevent rotting.
Once callused, insert the stem cuttings in moist, cactus and succulents soil and ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil slightly moist until new growth is observed.
Allow for substancial growth of the Red Crassula cuttings before transplanting after which routine care can begin.
Crassula coccinea Common Issues
Sunglow Plant (Crassula coccinea) common growing issues include leaf spots, leggy growth, wilting, discolored leaves, rotting, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Pests
The common plant pests in Sunglow Plant are mealy bugs and scale insects. Isolate the affected plant to reduce spread to other plants and treat it approprately for the pests.
Rotting plant base, yellowing and shriveled leaves
Rotting plant base followed by yellowing and shrivelled leaves in Sunglow Plant is an indication of basal stem-rot disease which is prevalent in overwet conditions.
At this point, the plant cannot be saved. Discard the plant and taking cuttings from the healthy stems to propagate a new plant. In the future, avoid overwatering and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy.
Brown soft spots
Brown soft spots in Sunglow Plant are caused by leaf spot disease which is enhanced by poor air circulation and wetting of the leaves during watering. Improve ventilation to ensure that there is free air circulation at all times and water the plant from the bottom to avoid wetting the leaves.
Brown dry spots
Brown dry spots in Sunglow Plant are due to underwatering during the growing season. Water the plant thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the soil to dry out slightly betweeen waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist. Lessen watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
Elongated stems (leggy growth)
Too much water during the cold season or too little light during growing season are the causes of elongated stems or leggy growth in Sunglow Plant. Significantly reduce watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist.
Make sure that the plant receives bright light during the growing season to prevent it from growing towards the light source or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Wilted and discolored leaves
Overwatering or soggy soil during the cold period is the cause of wilted and discolored leaves in Sunglow Plant. Decrease watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist. In addition, ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
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