Crassula dubia (Crassula cotyledonis) Indoor Care and Propagation Guide
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Crassula cotyledonis (Crassula dubia) flourishes in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, well-drained, succulents soil matter coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Crassula dubia is one of the popular Crassula varieties with broad, paddle-shaped, blue-gray leaves covered in a soft buzz which protects it from intense sunlight.
Crassula cotyledonis is a small succulent shrub whose leaves are borne opposite on the stem and develop a soft pink tinge along the leaf margin in bright light or under direct sunlight.
The thick, ovate leaves are smaller at the base and get larger towards the top of the stem. Avoid handling the leaves excessively as they lose their coating when they come into contact with oil.
The fleshy leaves and stems in Crassula dubia store water which enables this plant to go for a considerably long period without being watered making it one of the popular drought-tolerant plants for any space.
Botanical name: Crassula cotyledonis
Synonmys: Crassula dubia, Purgosea cotyledonis
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Crassula dubia
Origin
Crassula cotyledonis or Purgosea cotyledonis is endemic to South Africa in the arid Namaqualand and Karoo Regions where it grows on hilltops, slopes, very rocky ground and outcrops.
Size and Flower
Crassula dubia grows to a height of about 8 inches and about 1 foot wide. It blooms from late spring to summer with cream to yellow, bell-shaped flowers. The flowers are borne above the foliage on a tall flower-stalk.
Toxicity
Crassula cotyledonis (Crassula dubia) like its cousin, Jade Plant, is considered to be toxic to both humans and pets as outlined by ASPCA. If ingested it can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Keep the plant away from the reach of children and pets.
Crassula cotyledonis Care Indoors
Crassula cotyledonis (Crassula dubia) blossoms in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, average warmth of 15-240C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Crassula dubia requires repotting only needed when it becomes pot-bound or when the potting medium is completely broken down. Pruning is needed to keep the plant neat, to discourage pest and disease infestations and to rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Crassula cotyledonis liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings to avoid rotting. Reduce watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and the plant does not need a lot of water for growth.
Only water the plant with water that is at room temperature to to prevent plant shock as it can result in brown leaf spots and reduced growth.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is fast-draining to prevent the plant from sitting in soggy soil as it can lead to rotting and death of the plant.
Take care not to wet the foliage to avoid fungal diseases or water from the bottom instead and always empty the bottom saucer (plate) once the plant has absorbed enough water.
Light Requirements
Crassula cotyledonis requires bright light with at least 4-6 hours of morning or afternoon sunlight. Keep it away from hot midday sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.
If the light is not adequate, the plant will become leggy with elongated stems and undersized leaves. You may grow Crassula cotyledonis under a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
Crassula dubia can be grown outdoors, however, gradually acclimate it and place it in a shaded place first to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Temperature and Humidity
Crassula cotyledonis requires an average warmth of 15-240C 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, air conditioning units among others as they can cause the death of the plant.
Crassula cotyledonis has no need for extra humidity. Average room humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. Make sure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal disease infestations which are prevalent in overwet, poorly aerated conditions.
Fertilizer
Crassula cotyledonis is a slow grower, therefore, feed it monthly during the growing season with a cactus and succulents fertilizer to promote growth. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is reduced and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Crassula cotyledonis should be coarse, low in organic matter and one that drains fast to prevent it from getting soggy. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out quickly. Cactus and succulents mixes are ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Crassula cotyledonis at the beginning of the growing season only when it has become pot-bound or when the potting medium has completely broken down. Use a pot that is 1 size larger than the current one to avoid overpotting and retention of excess moisture.
Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy to avoid root-rot. Use a clay pot instead of a plastic or ceramic pot as a clay pot is porous and allows the soil to dry out faster to keep it from staying wet for too long. Take a look at these terracotta pots with saucer on Amazon.
Before repotting, make sure that the soil is dry. Take the Crassula cotyledonis 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.
Position the plant in the center of its new pot and back fill with fresh, loose, fast-draining soil while spreading the roots as you fill the pot.
Do not fill the pot completely but leave about 1 in. unfilled to allow for watering space.
Replace 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 cotyledonis involves removal of any dead or diseased leaves to keep it neat and 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 cotyledonis (Crassula dubia) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from offsets, leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.
How to propagate Crassula cotyledonis from stem cuttings
Take 2-3 inches stem cuttings from a healthy Crassula cotyledonis 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, loose, fast-draining, rooting soil.
Position the set up in a well-lit, warm place away from direct sunlight to avoid cooking the cuttings.
Maintain the soil slightly moist until the stem cuttings are rooted. Rooting may take about 2-3 weeks.
Make sure that there is good air circulation to minimize the risk of fungal diseases infestations.
Allow enough time for substancial growth before transplanting the new Crassula dubia after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Crassula cotyledonis from offsets
Carefully seperate the offset from the mother Crassula cotyledonis 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, fast-draining soil and place in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
Ascertain that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases infestation.
Keep the soil slightly moist through out until the new Crassula dubia is well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Crassula cotyledonis from leaf cuttings
Take leaf cuttings complete with the petiole from a healthy Crassula cotyledonis. Allow the leaf cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.
Once calloussed, lay the leaf cutting on moist, fast-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 away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaf cuttings.
Maintain the soil slight moist through out. 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. This may take from 4-6 weeks.
Allow substancial growth of the rosette before transplanting the new Crassula dubia into individual pot after which routine care can begin.
Crassula cotyledonis Common Problems
Crassula cotyledonis (Crassula dubia) problems include wilting leaves, leggy growth, leaf spots, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Leggy growth and undersized leaves
Leggy growth and undersized leaves in Crassula cotyledonis is due to two possible reasons. One possible reason is overwatering or soggy soil in the cold season.
Significantly, cut down on watering in the cold season as growth is reduced at this time, therefore, the plant does not need a 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 undersized leaves in Crassula dubia is too little light during the growing season. Place 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 not sufficient. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Diseases
Crassula cotyledonis is prone to powdery mildew which is enhanced by overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation. Isolate the affected plant to reduce spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil as recommended by the manufacturer. Improve ventilation and make sure that there is good air circulation for the plant.
Water the Crassula dubia 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; always empty the bottom saucer (plate) once the plant has absorbed enough water. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains out easily to prevent it from getting soggy. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
Pests
Common pests in Crassula cotyledonis are scale insects, mealy bugs and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of houseplants. Spray the plant with an insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's directions on the label.
Wilted, drooping leaves
Wilted and drooping Leaves in Crassula cotyledonis are caused by underwatering which results in too little moisture in the soil. Therefore, the plant cannot get enough water to take up to the leaves which loss their turgidity and begin to wilt and droop.
To prevent wilting and droopy leaves, water the plant deeply 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 a prolonged period of time.
Brown soft leaf spots
Brown soft leaf spots in Crassula cotyledonis are caused by leaf spot disease which is prevalent in poorly aerated, overwet conditions. Better the ventilation and make sure that there is good air circulation at all times. Also, water the plant from the bottom to avoid wetting the leaves.
You liked it? Share on social media.
Related Content
Amazon Associates Disclosure
Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.