Finding everything you need to know about the Crassula Perforata online can sometimes be difficult. So, we have gathered the top 22 questions for you all in one place below.
And, when you read all the way to the bottom, we have answered an extra bonus question too!
Enjoy!
What Is A Crassula Perforata?
Crassula Perforata is a succulent plant of the Crassulaceae family from the Cape Provinces and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.
The succulent is a long, branchless erect vine with star-like plants growing up it. It’s commonly found in a green color, growing paler as the leaves head to the center of each plant connected to the vine. In some variations, the edges of the leaves are pink or red and can grow in small bunches.
There are actually 149 species of this plant that we are aware of as of the date of writing. It is one of the most diverse succulents and has brilliantly adapted to fill every little niche available in such a harsh climate.
This plant is really quite amazing. Every little crack or crevice that nature has provided where there are no other dominant species overrunning it is where it will set up shop and call home.
This is quite likely why it has 149 known variations. It adapts to every micro niche to take full advantage of every possible angle that leads to survival.
That is why some scientist have gone so far in saying that, if we were to have discovered this plant today, it may well have been common named ‘The Survivalist’.
What Is The Common Name Of The Crassula Perforata?
The three common names of the Crassula Perforata are “String of Beads”, “Necklace Vine”, and “Pagoda Plant”.
Out of the three common names, the most popular one is “String of Beads”. The name comes from the succulent’s resemblance of a string of beads that you might see worn as a necklace.
Although, the person wearing this as a necklace would need padding under it. The corners of some of the varieties can be rather sharp.
The “Necklace Vine” common name comes from the plant’s look of a long necklace from its erect vine adorned with the star-like leaves. The person wearing this variety would need serious protection as there are points at the end of each those stars, yikes.
The “Pagoda Plant” common name comes from the layered pyramid cluster of leaves travelling up the vine.
Envision a pagoda in your mind, you see the layer, stories of the building rising with each new layer getting a little smaller. That’s how this variety of the plant looks. It’s really quite a similar look.
History Of The Crassula Perforata?
The Crassula Perforata is a subgenus of the Crassula which was discovered by Carl Linnaeus in 1753 along with 10 other plant species in that same year.
How To Take Care Of A Crassula Perforata?
The Crassula Perforata does best in a place with plenty of sun. It can tolerate bright sun but prefers bright filtered light, meaning that the plant is still getting sunlight, but the sun is not directly shining on them, such as a window or bright shade where they are receiving indirect sunlight.
For watering, its best to water your plant(s) thoroughly every 2 weeks using soil and a pot that drains quickly and well.
But you can’t just dump a glass of water on your succulent, you have to make sure that you don’t pour the water directly on the leaves or else they will become mushy and soft and eventually rot.
The best soil for the Crassula Perforata is a well-drained, loamy pot mix. You don’t need any fancy or heavy fertilizers for this succulent, just give it some organic fertilizer during the mid-spring when it is actively growing and watch the plant thrive.
If you compost, soak your finalized compost in water to where the water covers it and stands about an inch above it. Stir the compost into the water and let sit overnight.
Strain off the liquid and use this as some of the best liquid, organic fertilizer around that won’t add extra soil volume to potted or area constrained plants.
The suggested temperature is 65-70° F (18.3-21.1 C) in the summer and 50° F (10 C) in the winter.
This succulent is not cold hardy. If it’s going to freeze or even get close to it then you should bring it indoors or move it to an area that doesn’t freeze.
You’ll have a hard time creating an environment that’s too hot, but one that’s too cold can damage the plant beyond repair.
How Often Should I Water My Crassula Perforata?
Like most succulents, you won’t need to water your green friend too often. It is suggested that you should water your plant every 2 weeks.
Simply ensure that you’re using a pot and soil that drain well and quickly to avoid standing water.
Do not pour the water over the top of the plant, but instead on the soil around it.
What Is The Best Soil For The Crassula Perforata?
The best soil for the Crassula Perforata is a well-drained, loamy soil mix.
It’s not necessary to go buy expensive potting soils. You can take most any regular potting soil and mix it 50/50 with perlite or good quality sand.
This gives it a really nice soil that drains fast enough to avoid standing water which can seriously harm your plant or even kill it.
What is The Best Temperature For The Crassula Perforata?
The best suggested temperature for the Crassula Perforata is 65-70° F (18.3-21.1 C) in the summer and 50° F (10 C) in the winter.
As mentioned above, this plant is not cold hardy. If it’s going to freeze or if you think it could, bring the plant indoors or move it to a location that stays warm.
Being native to the Africa’s desert region it has never had a to adapt to survival in cold weather. It just doesn’t have the genes for it.
So, this really goes for any plant in the world. If you know the origins of the plant, don’t go against its climate of origin and the plant should do well. It adapted to that climate and is designed to thrive in it, so just let it.
How Long Does It Take To Grow A Crassula Perforata?
This succulent can become rooted and ready to grow from a cutting in about 4 to 6 weeks. It can then take up to 2 years for the plant to reach its full maturity.
When starting out, water the soil every few days when the soil feels dry. After 2 weeks, new roots will grow. And after 4 to 6 weeks, you will notice growth developing on the top of sides of the stem of your Crassula Perforata.
It this time you can switch to its normal watering cycles that we have discussed in 2 other sections of this article.
However, so that you don’t need to search for them, just use the dry and soak method for best results. This means that; you wait for the soil to become very dry, some call it bone dry before watering. You then soak the soil and that’s it. You simply water it again when it becomes bone dry.
How Long Does A Crassula Perforata Live For?
Like other succulents of the Crassula genus, a Crassula Perforata can live for decades under cultivation, and depending on its care, can last up to 100 years.
These are plants that your grandchildren can continue to grow long after you’re gone. These are plants that many families keep in them for generations.
How To Propagate A Crassula Perforata?
The Crassula Perforata can be propagated from leaves, offsets, and cuttings.
From leaves, gently twist the leaf from the stem and let it callouses over two days and sow it in freshly watered, well-drained soil.
From offsets, cut off a small rosette offset from the stem, let it dry out for two days and then lay it on some freshly watered, well-drained soil.
From cuttings, it is similar as if you propagate it from leaves. Cut the leaf from the stem with a sterile cutting tool, and let it callouses in several day before you put it in freshly watered, well-drained soil.
Is The Crassula Perforata An Indoor Plant Or An Outdoor Plant?
The Crassula Perforata is both an indoor plant and an outdoor plant. Nothing changes much on how you take care of it, everything is the same by just giving it the right potting mix and plenty of sunlight, but not too much sunlight to avoid scorching it and watering it as prescribed earlier.
Why Is My Crassula Perforata Not Growing?
Your Crassula Perforata is not growing because it is not getting enough light or it’s in its dormant period. During the winter, a lot of succulents go dormant and do not grow until spring.
If this is not the case, then your plant is not getting enough light. Make sure to put it in a place that gets plenty of light and continue watering it as prescribed above.
Why is My Crassula Perforata Losing Leaves?
A common reason why a Crassula Perforata is losing leaves is from watering issues. Too much water will make the leaves swell up and turn mushy and even kind of slimy, making them fall off.
Why Is My Crassula Perforata Dying?
Your Crassula Perforata is dying from its roots rotting. It develops root rot from overwatering and being in standing water for too long. Visible symptoms that show if your plant is dying are leaves and roots turning black and mushy.
Sadly, it’s quite common that by the time you find out the root is rotting, you’re out of time to save it.
Are Crassula Perforata Toxic To Cats And Pets?
The Crassula Perforata is nontoxic to cats and dogs. However, the Crassula ovata “jade plant” is toxic considered toxic to pets and humans if ingested, common symptoms are nausea, depression, and incoordination.
The reason we bring this up is that many people may not be sure which variety they actually have. Be sure to check.
What Is A Crassula Perforata Starburst?
A Crassula Perforata Starburst is a variation of the Crassula Perforata. This plant doesn’t have too many different features from the mother plant other than the leaves are thicker and have more of a resemblance of a star shape than the Crassula Perforata.
Are Crassula Perforata Edible?
Yes, the Crassula Perforata is edible. You should not experience any toxic effects if you ingest it. However, it’s not advised to eat the succulent and it’s not known to be particularly tasty.
Is The Crassula Perforata Seasonal?
The Crassula Perforata is seasonal. They produce clusters of white and yellow flowers if kept at the right temperature. To have them bloom, keep them cool and dry during the winter season in temperatures from 44⁰F and up (7⁰C) and expect them to bloom in the springtime.
How To Prune My Crassula Perforata?
To prune your succulent, cut the desired trimming where the stem is most visible. There is no need to salve the cut stem on the mother, it will generally heal quite well.
Why Is My Crassula Perforata Stretching?
Your Crassula Perforata is stretching because it is not getting enough sunlight and it’s ‘stretching’ towards it. Keep your succulent in a place that has plenty of sunlight and water it as you regularly would.
Why Is My Crassula Perforata Turning Yellow?
The reason why your regularly is turning yellow is because of overwatering. Don’t water your succulent too often, once every week to 10 days is fine for it to thrive. Or use the dry and soak method mentioned several times in this article.
Why Are My Crassula Perforata Leaves Wrinkling?
The reason why your Crassula Perforata leaves appear to be wrinkling is because of underwatering. The leaves will appear puckered and dried up, along with a flat and deflated feeling upon touching them.
To fix this, you must put your succulent on a better watering schedule, a healthy Crassula Perforata has green and plump leaves.
What Are Crassula Perforata Adaptations?
As a succulent, the Crassula Perforata keeps its leaves plump and full of water to combat drought and to survive the harsh temperatures of its original habitat.
The plant can stand bright light but prefers filtered light such as bright shade and light going through windows. It may survive 4 to 6 hours in daily direct sunlight, but it will have a hard time in high humidity environments such as non-ventilated greenhouses.
Sources
1. https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20113255420
2. https://www.jstor.org/stable/45133401
3. https://journals.co.za/doi/pdf/10.10520/AJA00423203_3983 4. http://oro.open.ac.uk/78812/