Tips for Growing Crassula Rupestris

The Crassula Ruperstris is often mistaken for their distant cousin, the Crassula Perforata or String of Buttons, because of their similar features and growth patterns. But the leaves of the Crassula Rupestris are small with a length of barely ¼”, tight, star-shaped, and looks pointier compared to the Crassula perforata.

The leaves of the Crassula rupestris sprawl and grow in a stack formation, and appears spiral around the stem, creating a beautiful intricate pattern. The colour of the leaves is pale green with crimson red edges. The colour intensifies as it gets more sun exposure, which explains why the plant is sometimes called “High Voltage”.

At first, Crassula rupestris grows straight up before it sprawls and appears to spill out of its pot as it matures. It can grow into mounds that are 6 to 10 inches high. In late summer and winter, the plant produces round clustered flowers that look like Baby’s Breath. The blooms of Crassula perforata, on the other hand, are more elongated and protrude outwards. The flowers of both plants come in shades of pale pink or yellow, which adds to their striking appearance.

When a plant is etiolated, its stems begin to brittle and stops producing new growth because it uses all its nutrients and energy to stretch out. When your Crassula Rupestris seems to be stretching and has uneven internodes (the section of stem between nodes), it means it is not receiving the right amount of light. Move it to a brighter location or a window that faces the east.

For indoor areas that have poor lighting conditions or receives no sunlight at all, we recommend using a grow light. A grow light is an artificial light source intended to stimulate a plant’s growth by giving off light required for photosynthesis. It can be used as a primary source of light or a supplemental light for your plants. A grow light is a good investment for your succulent collection, especially when you live in a region that has long, dark winters. We recommend using this grow light for your Crassula Rupestris so it can thrive wherever you place it.

Crassula Rupestris will grow best in areas where it can receive plenty of sunlight. It can survive in partial sun to full sun. However, make sure to acclimatized it to the full sun first to prevent sun damage. Crassula Rupestris can tolerate full sun better than the Crassula Perforata, and it reacts to sun exposure by producing pigments that prevent them from burning. These pigments bring out the intense crimson red on the edges of your Crassula Rupestris’ leaves.

When placing your plant outdoors, choose a bright sunny location. But before you expose them to full sun, you need to accustom your plant by gradually increasing the sunlight it receives. Acclimatization is essential to prevent your plant from getting scars on their leaves, which is caused by sun damage. Take note that even when your plant is already acclimatized to the full sun, it can still get sunburned during a heatwave.

During the intense summer heat, you can protect your Crassula Rupestris with the help of sunshades. This easy-to-use Be Grit Sun Shade is made from polyethylene. It is lightweight, durable, and breathable. It is perfect in shading your plant from the intense heat while making sure it gets enough sunlight for photosynthesis.

Because of its origin, Crassula Rupestris are naturally drought tolerant and not frost tolerant, but they can tolerate mild frost and freezing climate for minimal periods. If you are located in the USDA hardiness zones 9-11, you can leave your plant outdoors for the whole year. You can even plant it on the ground.

But if you live in areas with extreme winter conditions, it’s best to grow your plants in containers so you can bring them inside during winters. If you can’t bring them inside, you can still protect them from frost and freezing temperatures with the help of greenhouses and frost covers. Use a frost cover made from fabric, because it provides better insulation than plastic materials.

The watering requirements for Crassula Rupestris depend on the climate where you live. While these plants are drought-tolerant, they will do best when they get a sufficient amount of water.

During the summer months, water your Crassula Rupestris every 7-10 days. Increase the frequency during intense heat. Cut back on watering when the temperature cools down. In the winter season, refrain from watering or hold back from watering altogether.

You don’t need to water your plant as much if you live in a place with a humid climate. It goes the same when your plant is indoors and not getting sufficient light. You do not want your plant to die from root rot.

A good rule of thumb when watering most succulents is to check the moisture of the soil before you water. Make sure that the soil is dried before you water. Water generously, but not too often. If you are not sure with the amount of water to give your succulents, remember that it is better to underwater succulents than to overwater them. Observe how your succulents are growing and adjust your watering techniques accordingly. Be careful not to let water sit on the leaves of your succulent to prevent it from rotting.

If you need further help with watering, we recommend that you use a moisture meter to get accurate measures of soil moisture. This moisture meter is easy-to-use and good for indoor and outdoor use.

There you have it! Those are the most important things you have to remember when growing Crassula Rupestris. Keep in mind all the information above so you can help your plant thrives.

Eden Succulents strives to provide the best succulent care guides to ensure that everyone gets to enjoy growing and caring for these gorgeous plants. Please check out our product recommendations and see how they can help you care for your Crassula Rupestris better.