Crassula Hottentot

Botanical name - Crassula marnieriana Hottentot

Origin - Dry regions of Southern Africa

Some people think I can be a little tricky but if you just satisfy a few of my requirements I'm a fairly easy going fellow. 

Bright Sunlight

The perfect spot would be somewhere which is bright and light with morning or afternoon direct sun. Direct midday sun can be a little too intense. 

Infrequent Watering and Low Humidity

Think droughts and drenches! I thrive in dry drought ridden climates, however this doesn't mean we can survive without any water at all. It's more like a drench and drought kind of care that we love.

Let me dry out completely so that when you lift me up I'm nice and light with no moisture in the soil at all. Leave me dry for a couple of weeks in the spring summer season. Then it's time to water me and a lot of it too please. Why not pop me in a sink for an hour to let me soak up what I need then put my back in my normal place. Whatever you do don't leave me sitting in water for days at a time as I will go mushy and rot. 

In the cooler winter months you can reduce watering to once a month or every 6 weeks as I will go into a dormancy period when I no longer need energy for growth. I'm hibernating - taking a well deserved break!  

Care Tips

Overwatering is my biggest killer so remember if my soil's not looking dry or I'm heavier than normal to pick up don't give me any water. If you see mould on my soil the spot I'm in is too dark and I would like to see more sun. 

If possible try to remember to water me in the morning. This gives me chance to dry out and soak up as much water during the day preventing chances of root rot occurring. 

If you repot me please use well draining soil with a mix or pearlite, gravel and/or sand to increase the porosity of the soil. 

Fun Fact

If I'm happy in the spot you've chosen for me I will produce small white or pink flowers from the ends of my tentacle-like stems during the growing season.