Crassula coccinea (Sunglow Plant) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems & Solutions

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Crassula coccinea (Sunglow Plant) floursihes in bright light with some direct sunlight, average warmth and humidity and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer.

Crassula coccinea also called Red Crassula coccinea is one of the popular Crassula 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 coccinea

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 coccinea that are popular as houseplants. These are alba which bears red flowers and bicolor which bears red and white flowers.

Is Crassula coccinea toxic?

Yes. 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.

To care for Crassula coccinea Indoors

To care for Crassula coccinea indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-24⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer.

Sunglow Plant 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

How do you water Crassula coccinea?

Water Crassula coccinea thoroughly in spring and summer and allow the top half of the soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf loss.

Cut down on watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

Use chlorine-free water like rain water to avoid browning of leaf tips and edges. Only water with room temperature water to prevent cold shock which can result in slowed growth and leaf fall.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is fast-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting and eventual death of the plant.

Light Requirements

Does Crassula coccinea need sunlight?

Yes. Crassula coccinea grows best in 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.

If the light is not sufficient the plant will become leggy with small, pale leaves and may begin to shed the leaves. Where the natural light is not adequate, you may use a full spectrum grow light to supplement it.

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

Temperature & Humidity

Crassula coccinea thrives in a warmth of 15-24⁰C in spring and summer with a minimum of 12⁰C in fall and winter.

Keep it away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot surfaces, stoves, windy doors and others which can cause stunted growth and leaf drop.

Red Crassula coccinea prefers a humidity of 50-55%; it does not require extra humidity as it is a drought tolerant plant. Maintain good air circulation to discourage fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed your Sunglow Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks in spring and summer when the plant is actively growing.

Withhold feeding in fall and winter (dormancy period) as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn (brown leaf tips and edges).

Flush out accumulated salts regularly 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 Soil

The best soil for Red Crassula coccinea should be rich in organic matter, loose and well-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. Most Cactus and succulents potting mixes are ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Repot your Sunglow Plant in the beginning of the growing period (spring to early summer), only when the plant is root-bound as it blooms best when pot-bound.

Use a shallow pot as the plant has a small root system. The pot should only be one size larger than the current one to avoid overpotting.

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 and the soil is free-draining to prevent rotting and loss of the plant.

Select a clay pot 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 on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Red Crassula coccinea requires removal of dead leaves and flowers to maintain the plant neat and also discourage pests and diseases. Snip the leaves at the base with a sterilized knife or pair of scissors to minimize diseases transmission.

Cutback the stems at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), to control growth. Minimize the number of cuts as much as possible to avoid unnecessary injuiries to reduce disease infestations.

Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.

Crassula coccinea Propagation

Crassula coccinea (Sunglow Plant) is best propagated from stem cuttings at the beginning of the growing period when in active growth for faster establishment.

Propagating Sunglow Plant from stem cuttings

1. Take 3-5 inches stem cuttings from a healthy plant and allow the cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.


2. Fill a small pot with a fast-draining soil and moisten it slightly. Use a pot with a drainage hole to avoid rotting.


3. Once callused, insert 2-3 inches of the lower cut end of the stem cuttings in the moist soil.


4. Place the set up in a well-lit, warm place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


5. Ensure good air circulation to discourage fungal diseases.


6. Maintain the soil slightly moist until the stem cuttings have rooted. Rooting may take upto 4 weeks.


7. Allow substancial growth before transplanting the new plant into a pot one size larger after which you can begin routine care.

Crassula coccinea Problems & Remedies

Sunglow Plant (Crassula coccinea) common problems are plant dying, yellow leaves, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.

Plant dying

Why is my Crassula coccinea dying?

Your Crassula coccinea is dying due to root-rot which is prevalent in soggy soil. The disease is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.

How to fix it

1. Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots; brown-black mushy roots indicate root-rot.


2. Cut away the rotten roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as indicated by the manufacturer.


3. Repot the plant in fresh soil and a fresh pot. Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil to prevent it from getting soggy.


4. Place the plant in very bright light and stop watering for a few days to give the plant enough time to loss the excess water. After the dry period, resume routine care.

Yellow leaves

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Red Crassula coccinea are too little light, soggy soil, inconsistent watering, drafts, nutrients deficiency or aging.

How to fix it

Too little light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or use a grow light if you do not have sufficient light in your home.

Soggy soil: Use free-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Drafts: Keep the plant away from drafts coming from hot air vents, AC units, hot surfaces, windy doors and others.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant monthly in spring and summer with a cactus and succulents fertilizer.

Aging: This is a natural process. As the lower leaves mature, they turn yellow, brown and eventually die.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth on Crassula coccinea is caused by insufficient light, nutrients deficiency or underwatering.

How to fix it

Insufficient light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a cactus and succulents fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.

Underwatering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Pests

Common pests on Sunglow Plant are mealybugs and scale insects which are prevalent in dry, stuffy conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants.


2. Treat the infested plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' instructions on the labels.


3. Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


4. Maintain the plant well pruned and raise humidity to depress the pest infestations.

Diseases

Crassula coccinea is prone to leaf spot disease and powdery mildew which are prevalent in overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to reduce spread to the other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil as per the manufacturer's instructions.


3. Maintain good air flow to discourage the diseases.


4. Water from the bottom to avoid wetting the leaves.


5. Always allow the soil to dry out between waterings.


6. Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent soggy soil.

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