10 Crassula rupestris, Kebab Bush Seeds + Get FREE Seeds with ALL Orders- Indigenous to South Africa

Crassula rupestris Seeds

South African Indigenous Succulent

Crassula is a large genus of succulent plants containing many species, including the popular Jade Plant, Crassula ovata. They are native to many parts of the globe, but cultivated varieties are almost exclusively from the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Crassulas make the most wonderful pot plants. They can also be grown indoors as house plants. Those that make excellent house plants are the glossy leaf varieties. Crassulas, given a rich, well-drained medium will grow fast and luxuriantly. The beauty of this plant lies in its very attractive leaf markings. In summer the leaf margins take on red and yellow markings. This indigenous plant is a much-branched, succulent, perennial shrublet. The stems are thin, fleshy near the growing tip, but rather woody lower down. Leaves are opposite, ovate and lanceolate in shape. Flowers are grouped in clusters at the apex (growing point). The flower colour ranges from deep pink to pale pink. Flowers are borne June to September. The seed is very fine, resembling dust. It is interesting to note that the green chlorophyll (green colouring) recedes deeper into the leaf tissue in the summer heat. In summer the leaf margins take on brilliant red and yellow hues. It is nature's way of surviving the dry summer heat. In most cases the plants rest in summer. The plants generally grow very slowly. This is especially the case where plants are cultivated from seed. Under ideal conditions it may take five years for a plant to reach a length of 1 m. They can live for more than sixty years in their natural habitat. Crassula rupestris occurs in southern Namibia , the Richtersveld , Namaqualand Ceres Tanqua Karoo, Worcester Robertson Karoo and Little Karoo. It favours hot, dry, rocky habitats. Like so many of other succulent plants from the dry western parts of our country, they are water misers. They survive in predominately winter rainfall areas that receive little more than 120 mm annually. They are relatively frost tolerant, being able to survive temperatures of – 4°C.