How Do You Care For Crassula Perforata Variegata?

How do you care for Crassula Perforata Variegata?

Crassula Perforata (String of Buttons or Necklace Vine), a South African native, are incredibly lovely succulents that spread and stack on top of one another as they develop. Their leaves are thin and compact, spiraling around their stem.

The leaves are a delicate, blue light green hue with rosy pink to reddish pink margins. When exposed to additional sunlight, the pink hue deepens.

Care and Propagation of Crassula Perforata ‘String of Buttons’ at first, the plant grows straight up, but as it matures, it sprawls and looks to flow out of the pot. They can reach a length of almost one foot (30cm). I’m never bored with my String of Buttons.

Who could possibly resist these magnificent plants? They are quite stunning and look fantastic in pots, hanging baskets, and just much anyplace else you put them. Consider the following aspects when providing care:

Light

Necklace Vines require 4-6 hours of moderate sun with some shade. The more sunlight it receives, the more brilliant its color. However, intense sunlight and excessive heat can easily cause the leaves to burn.

You can compensate for this by selecting a location that receives shade between 2-3 p.m. but is otherwise sunny. Another possibility is to grow it in areas with filtered or indirect light. If you’re growing this succulent inside, consider a window that faces east, west, or south.

Crassula Perforata is extremely sensitive to abrupt changes in light or temperature. Always ake modifications gradually to allow your plant to adapt correctly.

Soil

Crassula Perforata requires a well-drained soil. If its roots are submerged in water, they can quickly decay. Cactus and succulent soil purchased from a garden center drains efficiently.

Additionally, you can include perlite or sand into potting soil. Keep an eye on the soil’s drainage on a regular basis. If it is retaining an excessive amount of water, add extra sand. Necklace Vine is not particular about its pH level, but thrives at 6.0. (Slightly acidic).

Water and Humidity

It is critical that succulents are not overwatered, and Crassula Perforata is no exception! They do not require a lot of water since their leaves contain water storage. Excessive amounts will turn the succulent soggy and mushy. However, if you submerge the plant, it will droop and the leaves will shrivel.

This plant should be watered only when the soil is fully dry. If you are unsure if the plant is dry or not, do not water it. Any succulent is far better off being submerged than being overwatered.

String of Buttons is not a fan of excessive humidity. Water it solely at the roots and maintain it in a well-ventilated place to keep it happy.

Temperature

Below-freezing temperatures are often too cold for Crassula perforata. If you’re growing indoors as a result, keep the temperature between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer. This plant prefers temperatures about 50° F in the winter. However, you are not need to freeze! Simply move the succulent away from heating vents.

Fertilizer

While fertilizer is not necessary, it will aid in growth and flowering. During the growth season, if desired, apply a 13 to 14 strength liquid fertilizer every other week. If your Crassula perforata is still a young plant, fertilize with a low-nitrogen fertilizer. Mature plants do well with a balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer.

Succulent fertilizer with controlled release is an excellent alternative to liquid. This should only be done at the start of the growing season.

Repotting

When your String of Buttons outgrows its container, repot it. Because this succulent grows just a few inches per year, pick a container size appropriately.

String of Buttons should be repotted while dormant and in warm weather. Then, when the growth season begins, it will have plenty of room! Trim any rotten roots discovered while repotting and allow the wounds to dry before planting. Change the soil to a more permeable one.

Pruning

Pruning the Pagoda Plant is optional for aesthetic purposes. When the blooms wither, they leave long, woody stalks that are easily removed. Additionally, you may cut the plant back if it becomes too huge for your liking. When pruning, use sterilized clippers to produce clean cuts. Keep the area dry to prevent bacteria from growing as it heals.

Propagation

Cuttings, division, and offsets are all methods of propagation for Crassula perforata. Succulent offsets can be produced by cutting nodes off the main stem. Commonly, the plant will send up new plants in mid spring.

String of Buttons is not too hardy to transport outside of its subtropical climate. Therefore, it seems it would not make sense to attempt transplanting this succulent.

Lastly, you can whip a leaf or two off during summer when indoors and place them in a sunny window where they will start to root. They take approximately four months to root and grow into new plants.

What is Crassula Perforata?

Crassula Perforata, also referred to as Pagoda Plant or Necklace Vine, is an aggressive grower. It blooms in the spring and fall and then goes dormant over the summer. The stems form a cluster and grow over other plants, much like a shrub. They will even spread into adjacent shrubs.

When fully developed, your Necklace Vine may surprise you with spring blossoms. These little, star-shaped blooms are seen in clusters of yellow, white, or pink. To boost your plant’s chances of blossoming, provide a modest temperature fluctuation between night and day. Additionally, it requires a cooler, but just above freezing, winter temperature.

Crassula Perforata requires a warm temperature because it is indigenous to South Africa. If you live in zones 9-11, you are among the fortunate few who can grow this plant outside all year! However, if you live in a colder climate, fear not; it also makes an excellent houseplant.

There are approximately 300 species in the Crassula genus! Numerous species of this genus have popular names, such as ‘String of Buttons’. As a result, locating precisely what you’re searching for might be challenging. To assist, here are two often encountered variations of the Perforata species.

The term ‘variegated’ refers to having a variety of hues, which is why this one stands out. Variegata comes in an array of colors ranging from green to yellow to pink. Certain pieces have rainbow-like borders, while others are striped.

This subspecies has a fairly standard appearance. The leaves are a vibrant reddish-pink color with a reddish-pink edge. Additionally, they are dotted with pink or white specks.

How do you propagate Crassula Perforata?

Crassula Perforata can be propagated from cuttings, division, and offsets.

Stem or Leaf Cutting Propagation

For stem cuttings: Cut off the top inch or more of a healthy Necklace Vine, then remove the bottom leaves so at least half an inch of the stem is bare.

For leaf cuttings: gently remove the leaves without leaving any part on the stem.

Due to the fact that Necklace Vine leaves grow in pairs, you can gently twist them on the stem to break them off in one piece. Allow a day or two for the sores on your cuts to heal. It’s time to plant them once they’re ready!

Cuts should be planted in well-draining soil. Stem cuttings can be placed directly into the soil. On top, leaf cuttings can be put. Keep the cuttings moist and out of direct sunlight until they have rooted. The use of rooting hormone is optional yet beneficial.

Once your cuttings have established themselves, progressively increase their exposure to light. They should be watered regularly, at least once a week, until the plants reach maturity.

Propagation from Offsets

This process is same to cuts. Offsets are rosettes that the plant sends above ground on long, thin stems. They should be cut 1 inch below the rosette.

If your String of Buttons becomes unwieldy, you may physically divide it half! Remove it gently from the soil and dust the roots. As you can see, this plant is actually a cluster of several stems and roots.

With your hands or a sterile knife, split the plant in half. Replenish them with dry soil and allow them to dry out for a few days. When wounds are not allowed to dry out, they can decay or get infected.

Why is my Crassula Perforata dropping?

The most common reason String of Buttons succulent is dropping leaves is lack of sunlight. Crassula Perforata thrives in very bright light, but it should also receive partial shade. If your plant isn’t exposed to a wide variety of natural light, supplement with artificial lighting.

If you are able to provide the appropriate amount of light, check for pests and disease causing this issue. Overwatering can also cause leaf drop.

On the other hand, your plant may be contracting thrips. These creatures suck the life out of plants! Little white bugs with black heads and wings will gather along the edges of leaves. In order to prevent this, you should treat the plant with a neem oil spray.

While light is imperative in boosting growth, it also increases susceptibility to spider mites! These bugs are very small and can be difficult to spot. They may arrive on new plants shipped from nurseries. However, they are always present in your greenhouse. It is recommended to inspect new plants before accepting them.

Once you’ve inspected the plant and ensure it’s free of mites, treat the plant with an insecticidal soap. In order to create a strong barrier of protection, apply the soap in early spring.

How often do you water Crassula Perforata?

These plants are xerophytes, meaning they are accustomed to dry conditions. However, this does not mean that you can’t over water them!

How often you water your plant depends on how much light it receives. A bright location calls for more frequent watering; therefore, it should be watered only once every two weeks.

If the String of Buttons is in a very dark room or covered with shade cloth all day long, it will need to be watered more frequently.

Once a week should be sufficient. To water your plant, put it in a sink or bathtub full of room temperature water. If your tap water has a high pH level, use distilled or rain water instead. Allow the soil to fully drain before replacing it back in its pot.

As a general rule, you can tell if your plant is receiving too much or too little water by the state of its roots. If they are dry, it’s time to water. However, if the roots soak up too much water, the plant can drown, which can lead to root rot.

Foliage is a good indicator of when to water. When it is clean and free of debris and leaves all around, it means it needs watering. Additionally, you may also notice how fast leaves wilt and fall off in the summertime.

Is Crassula Perforata toxic?

Crassula Perforata is a toxic plant for pets and small children. It contains a strong, bitter toxin alkaloid called protopine. Protopine causes salivation, decreased appetite, and vomiting in dogs who ingest it.

Because this plant can be fatal to pets, be sure to keep them away from it! In addition to the risk of ingesting this plant, Crassula Perforata is also considered invasive in some parts of the world.

As a result, this plant has been banned in Australia and New Zealand. The act of planting Crassula Perforata can interfere with native plant regeneration. It is, therefore, a prohibited weed in all National Parks.

Many of the animals that reside in these areas are endangered. As a result, importing or growing this plant can result in a fine and/or penalty.

How fast do Crassula Perforata grow?

The growth rate of a String of Buttons plant depends on its conditions. The availability of light, water, and nutrients all affect the amount of photosynthesis going on in the leaves. Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction that converts light energy into sugar and other nutrients for the plant to grow.

If you have provided the correct amount of light, your plant will grow at a faster rate than if it receives too little.

However, don’t be fooled into thinking that because plants are seemingly in the process of growth, they need more light! They might not require more light at all. In fact, plants can even survive without sunlight if there is enough water present to sustain life.

In order for your plant to grow well, it needs proper soil conditions and sufficient nutrients. Mixing a bit of compost with the soil you put inside your planter will ensure it is well fed.

A String of Buttons plant can grow up to 24 inches tall and half as wide. You should be able to see visible signs of growth within five months after planting.

If you notice that the plant appears stunted in growth, try fertilizing it by adding a bit of fertilizer to the soil or water. If these changes do not work, check for pests or disease-causing this issue.