How to Grow, Care, Prune and Propagate Watch Chain Plant (Crassula muscosa)
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Watch Chain Plant (Crassula muscosa) requires bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Crassula muscosa also called Rattail Crassula or Clubmoss Crassula is among the popular Crassula varieties with tiny, scale-like, light-green leaves which are densely packed around a thin stem.
Watch Chain Plant is much-branched plant whose leaves are arranged in opposite pairs around the stem in four rows which gives the stem a square shape.
Rattail Crassula stems start off erect but as they mature, they begin to trail due to the weight of the leaves making this plant one of the best plants for a hanging basket, desktop, plant shelf or pedestal where they can cascade down beautifully.
The species name, 'muscosa', is Latin for 'mossy', in reference to the moss-like appearance of this plant. While the synonmy, 'lycopodioides', is in reference to being like lycopodium (clubmoss).
Botanical name: Crassula muscosa
Synonym: Crassula lycopodioides
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Watch Chain Plant, Rattail Crassula, Clubmoss Crassula, Lizard Tail, Zipper Plant, Princess Pine
Origin
Crassula muscosa also called Crassula lycopodioides is native to South Africa's Cape Provinces, Free State and Northern Provinces and in Namimbia and Lesotho. It is widely distributed in the semi-arid and karoo areas in the rocky habitats as well as in plains.
Size and Flower
Watch Chain Plant is a small bush which grows to a height of about 1 ft and slightly less than 1 ft wide. It blooms from early spring to mid-summer although it is unlikely to flower when grown indoors. The flowers are tiny, star-shaped, yellow-green and have a musty smell.
Invasiveness
Watch Chain Plant can be invasive if not well controlled. The stems break off easily, fall to the ground and root where they drop. Therefore, handle and dispose the plant with care to reduce unintended spread.
Toxicity
Crassula muscosa 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 plant collection, Crassula muscosa is available online on Etsy (Link to Etsy) and on Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Crassula muscosa Care Indoors
Watch Chain Plant (Crassula muscosa) blossoms in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 20-280C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Crassula muscosa requires repotting only needed when it is pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat, to reduce pest and disease infestations, to encourage branching and to rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Light Requirements
Watch Chain Plant requires bright light with at least 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunlight. Keep it away from midday hot sunshine to avoid scorching the leaves.
If the light is not sufficient, the plant will become leggy with elongated stems and yellowing leaves. You may grow Rattail Crassula under a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate. Take a look at 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.
You may grow the Clubmoss Crassula outdoors, however, gradually acclimate it and place it in a shaded place to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Watering
Water Watch Chain Plant deeply during the growing season and allow the top half of the soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.
Cut down on watering in the cold period as growth is reduced and keep the soil barely moist but do not let it dry out completely.
Use water that is at room temperature to water the plant to avoid shocking it as it can cause sudden leaf drop. Be careful not to wet the foliage to avoid fungal diseases or water from the bottom instead.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent the Crassula muscosa from sitting in soggy soil which can lead to rotting and death of the plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Watch Chain Plant prefers an average warmth of 20-280C during the growing season and a minimum of 60C in the cold season. Keep it away from frost and cold drafts like windy doors and windows as they can cause brown leaf spots.
Watch Chain Plant has no need for extra humidity. Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. Clean the leaves regularly by splashing water from a steady stream to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations.
Make sure that there is good air circulation for the plant to prevent fungal disease infestations which are prevalent in damp, poorly aerated conditions.
Potting Medium
The best soil for Watch Chain Plant should be loose, rich 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 are ideal.
Fertilizer
Watch Chain Plant 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 reduced and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.
Repotting
Repot Watch Chain Plant at the beginning of the growing season only when it becomes pot-bound. Use a pot that is 1 size larger than the current one to avoid overpotting.
Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to prevent root-rot. 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. Take a look at these terracotta pots with saucer on Amazon.
Before repotting, ensure that the soil is dry. Slip the plant 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 Clubmoss Crassula to its display position and keep it dry for about 5-7 days to reduce the risk of rot-root disease.
Pruning
Pruning Watch Chain Plant is easy as it involves removal of any dead or diseased leaves to keep it neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations.
To encourage branching and a bushy, compact growth, regularly pinch off the tips of the stems. Cut back the plant at the beginning of the growing season if it is has become unruly to rejuvenate growth.
With age, the stems begin to trail or droop at the weight of the leaves. Therefore, cut them back to keep the plant compact. Minimize the number of cuts as much as possible to avoid unnecessary injuries to reduce disease infestations.
Propagation
Watch Chain Plant (Crassula muscosa) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings.
How to propagate Watch Chain Plant from stem cuttings
Take 3-4 inches stem cuttings from a healthy Watch Chain Plant 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.
Allow substancial growth before transplanting the new Crassula muscosa after which you can begin routine care.
Crassula muscosa Common Problems
Watch Chain Plant (Crassula muscosa) growing 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.
Pests
Common pests in Crassula muscosa are scale insects, mealy bugs and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to reduce spread to other plants. Spray the plant with an insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
Diseases
Watch Chain Plant is prone to 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 plants and treat it with neem oil as per the manufacturer's instructions. Improve ventilation and make sure that there is free air circulation for the plant.
Water the Crassula muscosa from the bottom to avoid wetting the rosette of leaves and always allow the top half of soil to dry out between waterings. Maintain the soil moderately moist during the growing season and barely moist in the cold period. Do not allow the plant to sit in soggy soil by ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy.
Brown soft leaf spots
Brown soft leaf spots in Watch Chain Plant are caused by leaf spot disease which is prevalent in poorly aerated, overwet (damp) conditions. Improve the ventilation and ensure that there is free air circulation at all times. In addition, water the the plant from the bottom to avoid wetting the leaves.
Leggy growth and yellowing
Leggy growth and yellowing in Watch Chain Plant is due to two possible reasons. One possible reason is overwatering or soggy soil in the cold season. Significantly lessen watering during the cold season to keep the soil barely moist 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. Learn more on how to water indoor plants the right way.
The second possible reason for leggy growth and yellowing in Crassula muscosa 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. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Sudden leaf drop
Sudden leaf drop in Watch Chain Plant 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 sudden leaf drop in Crassula muscosa 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 Clubmoss Crassula liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering in the cold season to keep the soil barely moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for too long.
Brown dry leaf spots
Brown dry leaf spots in Watch Chain Plant are due to keeping the soil dry for too long during the growing season. Water the plant liberally during the growing season while allowing the to dry out between waterings but do not allow it to be too dry for extended periods.
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