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- Crassula lanuginosa ssp. pachystemon
Crassula lanuginosa ssp. pachystemon
The plant likes a sunny habitat.
Always water a few days after the substrate has dried out. In winter, limit watering.
It can tolerate -3.9 °C in the short term. However, the plant is not hardy.
The surface of the plant is covered with dense, fine hairs. The plant feels like it is covered in fine velvet.
Crassula lanuginosa ssp. pachystemon, also known by the synonyms Crassula cathcartensis, Crassula ernestii and Crassula pachystemon, is a small succulent plant native to the northeastern Cape. It is found in crevices of rock outcrops and often among boulders in the northern parts of the Eastern Cape Province. The epithet 'pachystemon' refers to the flowers with strong peduncles and literally translates to 'strong stamens'.
The leaves are densely covered with fine hairs, resembling velvet to the touch. The colour of the leaves changes depending on the amount of sunlight the plant receives - the more sun it receives, the more the leaves turn a pinkish hue. Normally the leaves are almost white, grey-white, but in full sun in summer they can take on a pinkish tinge. The leaves tend to be densely packed and quite large. It has an initially upright and compact growth habit, which it maintains for quite a long time. It gradually grows sideways and forms offshoots. The length of the stems is usually around 15 cm.
It flowers with inconspicuous white flowers in the summer months.
Due to its size, Crassula lanuginosa ssp. pachystemon is also suitable for smaller spaces or hanging containers. However, care is needed when handling the plant, as the upper parts tend to be fragile and brittle. The plant should not be fertilised. Crassula lanuginosa ssp. pachystemon is an ideal choice for growers who appreciate the delicate beauty of the velvety leaves.