How to Grow a Crassula Capitella “Red Pagoda”
I saw this gorgeous plant in a restaurant that I would really like to get. It has these stacks of thick triangular leaves trimmed in red. I didn’t have my phone with me to take a picture. Do you have any idea what the plant might be?
Hi Stephen,
Your plant sounds like a Crassula Capitella “Red Pagoda.” Here is a picture of one. What do you think?
Photographed at Strybing Arboretum, San Francisco
Care Tips:
These are succulent plants that like very bright light and some morning sun. Afternoon sun burns the beautiful leaves.
Use a cactus soil or a loose sandy soil that drains quickly.
Water when the soil is completely dry. Water deeply until the excess water comes out the drip holes in the bottom of the pot. Never let the plant sit in the excess water. Keeping the plant is a small pot helps the soil dry out quickly and prevents root rot. This plant needs even less water in the winter.
Feed with a liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength. Do not feed from October to March when the plant is resting. Fertilize every 2 weeks from the last week in June to the end of August. Fertilize monthly from April through June. I like to use a plant food designed for succulent plants or fish emulsion. Never feed a crassula plant when the soil is dry or the fertilizer will burn the roots. Wet the soil with plain water first and then use the water containing plant food.
All crassula plants prefer warm temperatures between 75°-80°F (24°-27°C) during the day and about 15° cooler at night. These plants are able to handle temperatures as low as 45° to 55° F (7.2°-12.8°C) in the winter; but if the temperatures drops below 45°F (7° C), leaf damage occurs.