16 Types of Crassula Varieties with Names and Pictures


Crassula varieties are among the most popular succulents worldwide, prized for their sculptural forms, thick fleshy leaves and low-maintenance care needs.

Crassula is a large genus native mainly to South Africa, with some species found in Madagascar and East Africa. There are about 200 Crassula species. These plants store water in their leaves and stems, making them drought-tolerant and ideal for beginners.

Crassula Varieties Collage

Crassula Succulents grow best in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and loose, fast-draining succulents soil that is low in organic matter coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

They require good air circulation to discourage fungal diseases and to be protected or shielded from drafts as they affect growth negatively.

Watering is key for a healthy Crassula Succulents as overwatering can be fatal leading to rotting and death of the plant. The best method of watering Crassula is the 'soak and dry' method which requires a thorough soaking of the soil followed by a drying out of the soil before the next watering.

Crassulas are easily propagated from stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, offshots (plantlets) borne at the base of the mother plant and by germinating seeds.

Crassula are CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plants. These plants harvest Carbon dioxide at night and use it during the day to make their food. As they make their food, they store the oxygen they produce in the process and release it at night.

This is an adaptation of CAM plants to their drought-prone climate which enables then to survive the harsh climate. Therefore, growing these plants in your living spaces ensures a higher oxygen concentration and cleaning of the indoor air.

One disadvantage of Crassula plants is that they are toxic to human and pets. If ingested they can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Therefore, keep these plants away from the reach of children and pets to avoid any mishaps.

Crassula plants are a spectacular addition to any plant collection. We have below outlined for you 16 popular Crassula varieties to make it easier for you to choose your favorite one.

16 Crassula Succulent Types for Indoors

Best Crassula varieties are Crassula ovata, Crassula perforata, Crassula cotyledonis, Crassula tomentosa, Crassula picturata, Crassula arborescens, Crassula brevifolia among others. Keep reading to get the complete list

1. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

Jade Plant, Crassula ovata, Crassula argentea

Crassula ovata is a evergreen, herbaceous plant with thick branches and thick, shiny and smooth leaves which grow in opposite pairs along the branch and are usually yellowish-green but may develop red edges in some varieties when exposed to very bright light.

Jade Plant is a popular plant on account of its ability to withstand a great deal of neglect and mismanagement placing it among the low-maintenance plants ideal for a beginner.

Crassula ovata thrives in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-260C , humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Crassula ovata.

2. String of Buttons Plant (Crassula perforata)

String of Buttons Plant, Crassula perforata

Crassula perforata commonly called String of Buttons Plant is a shrubby, succulent plant which bears triangle-shaped, gray-green leaves with a rosy pink hue along the edges in bright light.

String of Buttons succulent stems start off upright but begin to trail on the ground due to the weight of the leaves as they age and is among the popular string of plants for the home, office or any other place.

Crassula perforata flourishes in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Crassula perforata.

3. Crassula dubia (Crassula cotyledonis)

Crassula cotyledonis, Crassula dubia

Crassula cotyledonis also called Crassula dubia is a small succulent shrub with broad, paddle-shaped, blue-gray leaves covered in a soft buzz which protects it from intense sunlight.

The fleshy leaves and stems on Crassula dubia store water which allows this plant to go for a considerably long period without being watered placing it among drought-tolerant plants for any space.

Crassula cotyledonis prospers in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of sunshine, warmth of 15-240C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Crassula cotyledonis.

4. Woolly Crassula (Crassula tomentosa)

Crassula tomentosa, Woolly Crassula

Crassula tomentosa commonly called Woolly Crassula is a compact, slow-growing, succulent plant which features rounded disc-like, gray-green leaves in an overlapping manner and are covered with tiny white hairs along the edges.

Woolly Crassula only grows to a height of about half a foot and bears numerous plantlets at the base which can be used to grow new plants. On account of its compact size, it is one of the best plants for the limited spaces.

Crassula tomentosa prefers bright light with at least 4-6 hours direct sunlight, warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Crassula tomentosa.

5. Tiger Jade Crassula (Crassula picturata)

Crassula picturata, Tiger Jade Crassula

Crassula picturata commonly called Tiger Jade Crassula is a perennial succulent shrub with numerous stems on which are borne triangular, dark-green leaves with red spots and purple undersides.

Tiger Jade Crassula leaves are spirally arranged on the stem and usually develop a pinkish tinge in bright light or under direct sunlight placing it among the sun-loving plants perfect for a sunny spot.

Crassula picturata blossoms in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of sunshine, warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Crassula picturata.

6. Silver Dollar Jade (Crassula arborescens)

Silver Dollar Jade, Silver Dollar Plant, Crassula arborescens

Crassula arborescens commonly called Silver Dollar Jade or Silver Dollar Plant is among the popular succulent plants and bears rounded, blue-gray leaves with maroon edges and small maroon speckles on the upper surface.

The small maroon speckles are technically called 'hydathodes' whose function is to help the plant absorb moisture from the atmosphere. They are especially useful in the plant's naturally dry environment.

Crassula arborescens flourishes in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing period. Read more on how to grow and care for Crassula arborescens.

7. Crassula brevifolia (Crassula pearsonii)

Crassula brevifolia, Crassula pearsonii

Crassula brevifolia also called Crassula pearsonii is a small, much-branched, perennial, succulent shrub whose branches bear thick, fleshy, green, triangular-shaped leaves which turn yellowish-green in bright light.

The leaves have pink edges and small pink spots on the surface called hydathodes which are important for absorbing moisture from the air in their natural habitat.

Crassula brevifolia thrives in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 16-240C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained succulents potting mix coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Crassula brevifolia.

8. Crassula Campfire (Crassula capitella 'Campfire')

Crassula Campfire, Red Flames Plant, Crassula capitella 'Campfire'

Crassula capitella 'Campfire' commonly called Crassula Campfire, Campfire Crassula or Red Flames Plant with fleshy leaves and stems which store water allowing the plant to go for a considerably long period without being watered. Take care not to overwater this plant to prevent rotting.

Campfire Crassula is a perennial succulent with propeller-like, fleshy leaves which start off light-green and become a bright reddish color in bright light. This plant is among succulents for full sun conditions.

Crassula capitella 'Campfire' prospers in bright light with about 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Crassula capitella 'Campfire'.

9. Sunglow Plant (Crassula coccinea)

Sunglow Plant, Red Crassula, Crassula coccinea

Crassula coccinea commonly called Sunglow Plant or Red Crassula is a compact succulent plant whose stems are clothed with leathery triangular leaves which look like they are stacked on top of each other.

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 is among the best plants for a sunny balcony.

Crassula coccinea thrives in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-240C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Crassula coccinea.

10. Crassula elegans (Elegant Crassula)

Crassula elegans, Elegant Crassula

Crassula elegans commonly called Elegant Crassula is a compact, dwarf, much-branched succulent whose thin stems are densely packed with oval to triangular fleshy leaves occuring in 4 rows.

Elegant Crassula leaves are smooth or covered with fine hairs or coarse rounded papillae and are green to brown or purplish-red in color.

Crassula elegans blossoms in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, warmth of 15-240C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Crassula elegans.

11. Propeller Plant (Crassula falcata)

Propeller Plant, Scarlet Paintbrush Plant, Crassula falcata

Crassula falcata commonly called Propeller Plant or Scarlet Paintbrush Plant is a single-stemmed plant which bears gray-green, succulent, propeller-shaped leaves and dense clusters of scarlet-red blooms.

Propeller Plant leaves grow around the stem in a slight angle and can grow to a length of 2 feet. The shape and growth pattern of the leaves give this plant the common names, Propeller Plant and Airplane Plant.

Crassula falcata flourishes in bright light with about 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Crassula falcata.

12. Fairy Crassula (Crassula multicava)

Fairy Crassula, Crassula multicava

Crassula multicava commonly called Fairy Crassula or Pitted Crassula is a mat-forming succulent plant which bears glossy round leaves with tiny pores along the edges.

The small pores along the leaf edges are hydathodes which allow moisture absorption from the air. It is an important feature in its natural habitat where the conditions are generally dry.

Crassula multicava prospers bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-240, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Crassula multicava.

13. Watch Chain Plant (Crassula muscosa)

Watch Chain Plant, Rattail Crassula, Clubmoss Crassula, Crassula muscosa

Crassula muscosa commonly called Watch Chain Plant, Rattail Crassula or Clubmoss Crassula is a much-branched succulent plant with tiny, scale-like, light-green leaves which are densely packed around a thin stem.

Watch Chain Plant leaves are arranged in opposite pairs around the stem in four rows which gives the stem a square shape. The stems start off erect but as they mature, they begin to trail due to the weight of the leaves placing this plant among plants for hanging baskets.

Crassula muscosa thrives in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 20-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Crassula muscosa.

14. Crassula Baby Necklace (Crassula rupestris)

Crassula rupestris, Crassula Baby Necklace

Crassula rupestris commonly called Crassula Baby Necklace, Rosary Vine, Kebab Bush, Concertina Plant or Rock Crassula is a highly branched succulent whose thin stems are packed with thick, rounded-triangular leaves.

Crassula Baby Necklace leaves start off grey-green and change to creamy-yellow with rose-red (reddish) margins in bright light which resemeble a string of beads on a child's necklace hence the common name.

Crassula rupestris prospers in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 16-250C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained succulents coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Crassula rupestris.

15. Variegated Showy Trailing Jade (Crassula sarmentosa Variegata)

Variegated Showy Trailing Jade, Crassula sarmentosa Variegata

Crassula sarmentosa Variegata commonly called Variegated Showy Trailing Jade is a much-branched succulent plant with trailing stems and mid-green leaves with golden yellow serrated edges.

The stems in Variegated Showy Trailing Jade are reddish-pink to green mottled with white and are about 3.3 feet long which places this plant among hanging succulent plants for a hanging basket or pedestal where it can display its beauty.

Crassula sarmentosa Variegata blossoms in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Crassula sarmentosa Variegata.

16. Miniature Pine Tree (Crassula tetragona)

Miniature Pine Tree, Mini Pine Tree, Crassula tetragona

Crassula tetragona commonly called Miniature Pine Tree or Mini Pine Tree is an upright, naturally branching, shrubby succulent plant whose leaves are green to dark green and occur in crossed pairs.

The common name, 'Miniature Pine Tree', is in reference to the naturally branching form and interesting leaf structure of this spectacular plant.

Crassula tetragona flourishes in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Learn more on how to grow and care for Crassula tetragona.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many Crassula Varieties are there?

There are over 200 recognized Crassula species, along with numerous cultivars and hybrids.

2. Are Crassula Plants toxic to pets?

Yes, Crassula Plants are mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

3. What is the most common Crassula variety?

Crassula ovata (Jade Plant) is the most widely grown and recognized variety.

4. Can Crassula grow indoors?

Most Crassula Varieties are good indoor plants when placed near bright windows.

5. Are Crassula Plants easy to care for?

Yes, Crassula Plants are low-maintenance succulents that thrive with minimal watering and bright light.

6. Do Crassula Plants flower?

Yes, many Crassula Plants produce small star-shaped flowers under the right conditions.

7. Can Crassula survive full sun?

Most Crassula Varieties tolerate some sun, but too hot sunlight may cause leaf scorch.

8. Is Crassula the same as Jade Plant?

Jade Plant is one species of Crassula, specifically Crassula ovata.

9. How often should I water Crassula?

Do not water your Crassula on a schedule. Water only when the top half of soil feels dry. Avoid overwatering and soggy soil as they can result in rotting and death of the plant.

10. Why are my Crassula leaves falling off?

Your Crassula leaves are falling off due to inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress or too little light.

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