How to Propagate Crassula perforata (String of Buttons Plant) by 5 Easy Methods

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Crassula perforata (String of Buttons Plant) is propagated from leaf cuttings, stem cuttings or offsets at the beginning of the growing season when in active growth for faster establishment. The cuttings can be rooted either in water or in soil.

Crassula perforata also called Crassula String of Buttons or String of Buttons Crassula is among the popular Crassula varieties for indoor growing. It is an easy to grow plant which bears triangle-shaped, gray-green leaves with a rosy pink hue along the edges in bright light.

The plant is popular with both seasoned plant enthusiasts as well as beginner plant parents. String of Buttons Plant is among the drought-tolerant plants due to its fleshy leaves and stems which store water allowing it to go for a considerably long period without being watered.

Crassula perforata is easily propagated in the following 5 ways. Keep reading for a detailed account on these propagation methods.

1. Propagating Crassula perforata from leaf cuttings in water

1. Take leaf cuttings from a healthy, mature plant. Ensure that the petiole is intact as this is where new growth will emerge from.


2. Allow the leaf cuttings to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to prevent rotting.


3. Once callussed, dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.


4. Place the leaf cuttings in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station while ensuring that the leaf blades are not in contact with the water.


5. Position the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight. Change the water every 5-7 days.

6. When a good amount of roots have formed at the base of leaf cuttings, transfer the cuttings into individual pots in moist succulents soil.


7. Place the set up in a warm (21-27⁰C), well-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching.


8. Maintain the soil moist until you observe substantial growth on the new plants.


9. Transfer the new plants into pots one size larger, preferably clay pots as they are porous and will not hold excess moisture. You can now begin routine care for the new plants.

2. Propagating Crassula perforata from leaf cuttings in soil

1. Take a leaf cutting from a healthy, mature plant. Ensure that the petiole is intact as this is where new growth will emerge from.


2. Let the cutting dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to prevent rotting.


3. Insert the cutting's leaf petiole into moist rooting soil while ensuring that the leaf midrib also comes into contact with the soil.


4. Confirm that the rooting container has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.


5. Cover the set up with transparent polythene to raise humidity inorder to hasten rooting and establishment.


6. Place the set up in a warm (21-27⁰C), brightly-lit spot and maintain the soil moist through out but not soggy.


7. Once the plantlets have grown at least one set of leaves, carefully seperate them and pot in individual pots in succulents soil.


8. Position the new plants in a warm, well-lit spot after which you can begin routine care.

3. Propagating Crassula perforata from stem cuttings in water

1. Take a stem cutting of about 4-6 inches from a healthy, mature plant. Ensure each cutting has 2-3 leaf nodes as this is where new growth will come from.


2. Strip off the lower leaves and allow the cutting to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to prevent rotting.


3. Dip the lower cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to encourage rooting.


4. Place the cuttings in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight. Change the water every 5-7 days.


5. Once the cutting has developed a good amount of roots, transfer the cuttings into small pots (6-8 inches wide) in moist rooting soil.


6. Position the set up in a warm (21-27⁰C), brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching the new plants.


7. Maintain the soil moist until there is new growth. Ensure to allow adequate time for substantial growth of the new plants.


8. Transfer the new plants into pots, 1 size larger than the current one while ensuring that the soil drains easily. At this point you can begin normal routine care.

4. Propagating Crassula perforata from stem cuttings in soil

1. Take a stem cutting of about 4-6 inches from a healthy, mature plant. Ensure each cutting has 2-3 leaf nodes as new growth will come from the nodes.


2. Strip off the lower leaves and allow the cutting to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to prevent rotting.


3. Insert the stem cutting into moist rooting soil. Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.


4. Cover the set up with transparent polythene sheet or bag to raise humidity to hasten rooting and establishment.


5. Place the set up in a warm (21-27⁰C), well-lit place and maintain the soil moderately moist through out.


6. Allow the new plants to be well established before transplanting after which you can begin routine care.

5. Propagating Crassula perforata from offsets

1. With a clean, sharp pair of pruning scissors or knife, carefully seperate the offset from its mother. Ensure it has adequate roots to hasten rooting.


2. Select a 6 or 8 inches pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting.


3. Fill the pot with a sandy potting medium and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the offset.


4. Place the offset in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.


5. Liberally wet the soil until the water comes out through the drainage holes to ensure that the soil is completely wetted.


6. Position the pot in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


7. Maintain the soil moist until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

Caring for Newly Propagated String of Buttons Plants

Once you have propagated String of Buttons Plants, proper care is essential for their optimal growth growth.

• Keep the soil slightly moist but never soggy or excessively dry.
• Place the new plants in bright light with some morning sunshine.
• Avoid hot midday sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaves.
• Maintain a humidity of 50-60% for faster growth.
• Give it a warmth of 18-25⁰C.
• Do not fertilize until after 6–8 weeks.

How to care for String of Buttons Plant indoors

Crassula perforata thrives in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fast-draining soil that is low in organic matter coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer. Learn how to grow and care for String of Buttons Plant.

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