Consulta Plantas

Care of the succulent plant Crassula falcata or Propeller Plant

The genus Crassula, family Crassulaceae, includes 600 species of succulent plants native to southern Africa. Some species are: Crassula falcata, Crassula capitella, Crassula Buddha's Temple (cultivar), Crassula arborescens, Crassula ovata, Crassula tetragona, Crassula arta, Crassula multicava, Crassula radicans, Crassula Coralita, Crassula picturata, Crassula corymbulosa, Crassula perforata, Crassula marnierana, Crassula muscosa.

Common names: Airplane Plant, Scarlet Paintbrush, Propeller Plant. This species is native to Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

They are succulent plants that do not usually branch out and that reach 50 cm (19.68") in height. The curious fleshy leaves are greyish-green, sickle-shaped and reach 20 cm in length. They produce showy inflorescences full of small deep red flowers. They bloom from late spring to mid-summer.

They are used as indoor or terrace and balcony plants; if the weather permits, they are used in rockeries.

The Crassula falcata prefers a sunny exposure but avoiding the midday sun in Mediterranean climates. The temperature must not be lower than 5 ºC (41 ºF) or higher than 30 ºC (86 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of 50% coarse siliceous sand and 50% leaf mulch.

Water regularly in summer (with little amount of water); reduce watering in fall and water occasionally in winter.

Fertilize in early spring with mineral cactus fertilizer.

They can be attacked by fungi if there is excess watering.

They propagate by stem cuttings or by seeds; the simplest way is by leaf cuttings in spring or summer.

Images of the succulent plant Crassula falcata or Propeller Plant