How do you care for a calico kitten Crassula?

How big will a calico kitten Crassula get?

A calico kitten Crassula can grow up to be a number of different sizes, depending on the temperature in which they are kept. If they are kept in warmer temperatures, they can grows 2 to 4 inches tall, trailing stems to 12 inches long.

If they are kept in cooler temperatures, their growth will slow down and their leaves will stay smaller. The average height that a Crassula should get to is three feet tall by six feet wide with little variation due to location. They tend to prefer environments with partial shade.

An interesting fact about this plant is that the discovery of the plant was brought forth through a man named Allan Cunningham, who observed it in Australia. The calico kitten Crassula is a succulent and will thrive with little water. In fact, too much water will kill the plant.

It prefers partially sunny places or shady environments but they can do just fine in full sunlight as well. If you are keeping them in full sun, make sure to keep an eye on them and give them plenty of water during hot summer months.

How often do you water a Crassula calico kitten?

An easy way to tell if your Crassula calico kitten needs water is to examine the waxy coating on the leaves. Usually water my Crassula Pellucida ‘Variegata’ (Calico Kitten) as frequently as every 7-10 days throughout the hot months. When the weather cools down, I reduce my watering to roughly every 10-14 days.

Once established, the plants are drought-tolerant and require little water. Avoid overwatering, since succulents may rot in wet circumstances. Always prefer too dry than too wet. During the winter months, water indoor plants sparingly, only when the leaves appear somewhat withered. Water outdoor plants during the first half of the month.

How much light and sun do calico kitten Crassula need per day?

The Crassula Calico Kitten likes light shade to full sun, with equal parts shade and sun being ideal. They will tolerate full sun, especially if they’re getting enough water, but need even moisture and moderate humidity along with shade in hot weather.

If provided with ample light, they will also bloom during summer months. If not given enough light, the leaves will grow in a rosette-like shape with only one main stem. This can be an indication of too much sun or the plant needs to be moved to a cooler location. Calico Kitten Crassula can be tough plants to grow in areas with too much direct sun.

How do you care for a calico kitten Crassula?

Calico Kitten Crassula (Crassula Pellucida ‘Variegata’) is a lovely small succulent with heart-shaped leaves that are rose pink, creamy white, and green in color. In April and on occasion throughout the season, dainty white blooms appear.

Calico Kitten plants thrive in both indoor and outdoor environments. They are particularly well-suited for rock gardens, hanging baskets, and xeriscapes. Continue reading to learn how to raise Calico Kittens. The following factors should be considered when growing Calico Kitten Crassula:

Light

Although the Calico Kitten Crassula demands plenty of sunlight, it should be planted in an area that is not directly exposed to the sun on hot afternoons. Calico Kitten succulents are particularly lovely in dappled or filtered light, allowing their colors to show through.

Water

Calico Kitten, like the majority of succulents, is extremely drought resistant. This indicates that the plant can survive longer periods of time without water, and that keeping it in damp conditions will almost certainly result in rot.

To ensure that your Calico Kitten receives the proper amount of water, they should be irrigated periodically during the spring and fall, when they are actively developing and preventing water-logging, and then let to dry before watering again.

However, when the temperature drops, they should be watered carefully, particularly during the winter months, since they tend to lose their roots if the soil becomes too cold and wet for an extended period of time.

Soil

Because the roots of the Calico Kitten are particularly delicate and prone to root rot when wet, it is advised that they be grown in well-draining soil. You may either use a cactus potting mix that has been combined with perlite for improved drainage or create sandy soil by blending cactus or potting soil in a 2:1 ratio with coarse sand.

Fertilizers

Calico Kittens can be fed between mid-spring and early fall, when they are actively developing. You can use a nitrogen-deficient balanced fertilizer by diluting it to at least half the suggested strength on the package.

Succulents should be fed sparingly in the winter and during the warmest portion of the summer, when they are dormant. See our other piece on succulent fertilization.

Temperature

Calico kittens can endure brief periods of moderate frost and slightly cold temperatures, and hence may be raised and left outside all year in USDA zones 9 to 11. If you live in an area prone to severe winters, it is prudent to plant your Calico kittens in pots or containers that can be readily moved indoors.

However, if the plant cannot be brought indoors, frost cloths or mini-greenhouses can be used to protect it from cold conditions outdoors. Here are some of our tips for winterizing your succulents.

Humidity

The ideal humidity for the Calico Kitten is in the range of 60 – 80%. You are unlikely to achieve this ideal with indoor conditions, but can easily achieve it with outdoor conditions.

If your calico kitten succulent is inside, you will have to provide some humidity by placing a wet paper towel over the plant several times a week.

Repotting

As a succulent, the Calico Kitten Crassula is best kept in small containers or planted directly into the ground where they can take advantage of their root systems. Repotting should be done every two to three years in early spring. If the plants are in an outdoor environment, it is best to start repotting when you set them out in late winter or early spring, and then replant them again in late summer.

Propagation

Propagating your Calico Kitten calico Crassula succulent is a simple process. If you’d like to increase your collection, careful observation will allow you to identify which plants are best suited to begin the process.

The general rule of thumb here is that do not divide or propagate your Calico Kitten Crassula with root cuttings. It may be possible to take softwood cuttings, but they will not take root well and will be vulnerable to rot in wet conditions.

Fertilizers

Like all succulents, the Calico Kitten Crassula can be nourished with a balanced liquid feed during the spring and summer months. Succulent fertilizer is a slow-release organic formula that will provide nitrogen, potassium and water soluble vitamins/minerals that are essential to the survival of your plant’s roots.

How do you propagate a Crassula calico kitten?

When it comes to propagation, there are two different methods of taking cuttings: softwood and semi-hardwood. Softwood cuttings, like any other succulent cuttings, will take root if they are exposed to water and warmth for several weeks. ‘How to take a Cut’ instructions below can be useful if you are interested in taking a softwood cutting from your calico kitten Crassula.

• Select a healthy, mature succulent with leaves and flowers.
• Remove the leaf from the stem and make a flush at the bottom of the leaf, capturing some of its own sap. The flushing technique can be used to take softwood cuttings from many plants, including aloe Vera, agave and many common succulents such as aloe Vera.
• Make a 1/4 inch cut on the stem with a clean pair of scissors and place succulent cuttings between paper towels until rooted.
• Remove the bottom leaves, in case they will be in the way
• Place the cutting in a cup of water to which has been added 50% bleach (use this method if you are dealing with an outdoor variety of Calico Kitten Crassula).
• Keep the cutting in a sunny area and make sure it is kept wet
• Change water daily for 2 weeks.
• After about 2 weeks, you should see small roots emerging
• Place the succulent cuttings in a sunny spot and make sure they get plenty of water.
• Gently fan the plant between watering to encourage it to put out new roots.
• Once visible roots have appeared, place succulent cutting in soil mix or potting mix.
• There should be no fertilizer used during this period, only water and sunlight.

How often do you water a Crassula Calico Kitten?

Although the watering requirements of your Calico Kitten is heavily dependent upon the season, in general, it will require watering more frequently than other succulents.

When the temperatures outside are warm and sunny, they may require more frequent watering to ensure that their leaves and stems do not wilt or become stretched.

However, it is a good idea to test the soil before you begin to water your plants. This can easily be accomplished by washing your hands with cold water and then wetting your finger in the potting soil. If it feels dry, your plant does not need water.

When it comes to watering, make sure that you are not overwatering, as this will result in root rot. It is important to mist every few days or so; thus even if the leaves look taut and full of water, only give them a little at a time and make sure they drain once they have absorbed the water.

Is Crassula calico kitten toxic to cats?

Regarding animal toxicity, the Calico Kitten plant is not toxic to cats or dogs, nor are its leaves or flowers poisonous to humans. However, Calico Kittens and other succulents can produce irritant sap that may cause skin irritations for some people. It has been said that this is due to a chemical reaction that occurs when the skin comes in contact with a compound of calcium oxalate in the sap.

Although Calico Kitten Crassula is not toxic to pets, it is better to make sure that your cats and dogs do not chew on the leaves. If you believe they will, try planting them in an area that is difficult to access.

While some people believe Calico Kitten succulents to be toxic to cats, other sources claim that it can cause severe ailments for animals who ingest too much of it (or any other plant with which you may be concerned about). Either way, it is important to keep your animals and your plants far from each other.

Does Calico Kitten Crassula need humidity?

The amount of humidity in your environment has a great deal to do with how well the Calico Kitten Crassula outdoors performs. To help it thrive, it is recommended to keep the relative humidity at approximately 60 percent during the winter months. During these times, it is also a good idea to provide Calico Kitten Crassula with indirect light.

As the weather begins to warm up, you should increase the humidity to about 80% and provide it with extra light. The higher humidity level will help your plant prepare for summer, and extra light will boost its production of flowers.

However, during the winter months, it is a good idea to reduce the amount of water that you give your Calico Kittens as this will lead to more watering problems during the hotter months.