If you are trying to find a plant that is terrific for a newbie or you forget to water your plants, try growing string of buttons (Crassula perforata). String of buttons is a succulent with triangle-shaped or square leaves that produce a spiral shape around the plant’s stem to offer it a stacked appearance.
When exposed to enough light, the gray-green leaves can take on a pink shade. Plant this fast-growing succulent indoors or outdoors in the spring and summer. Crassula perforata is poisonous to animals and humans.
Common Name: String of buttons
Botanical Name: Crassula perforata
Family: Crassulaceae
Plant Type: Succulent, perennial
Mature Size: 1-2 ft. tall, 2-3 ft. wide
Sun Exposure: Full, partial
Soil Type: Well-drained, loamy, sandy
Soil pH: Acidic, neutral, alkaline
Bloom Time: Spring
Flower Color: Yellow, white
Hardiness Zones: 9-12 (USDA)
Native Area: South Africa
Toxicity: Toxic to people, toxic to pets
How To Care For String Of Buttons – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
String of buttons can handle less-than-ideal light, little water, and extremes in temperatures. This makes it the best plant to withstand the disregard typically suffered at the hands of an inexperienced plant owner.
This succulent’s strength comes from the truth that it is native to the gritty, dry soil and rocky slopes of South Africa, where it grows amongst the craggy force. This has actually made the plant adaptable to many conditions.
Light – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
In its native environment in South Africa, Crassula perforata has actually adjusted to satisfy the needs of residing in both harsh full sun and the shadows cast by high rocks and bushes that grow together with the diminutive trailing succulent.
It will deal with almost any lighting condition in an indoor setting however will suffer if left without enough light. Evidence of this deficiency will be the loss of pigmentation of the plant’s foliage.
For the finest outcomes, string of buttons need to receive a lot of indirect sunlight.
Soil – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
The perfect soil for string of buttons would be a mix that simulates the soil discovered in its native habitat. A well-draining medium of bark, pumice, and sand would fit this description. A ready-made cactus mix would be perfect and there are many good choices available at your nursery or garden supply store.
Water – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
A simple way to prevent overwatering a succulent like string of buttons is the soak-and-dry approach. Simply soak the soil, drenching it till water runs out of the bottom of the soil and the pot is totally moist. While watering, avoid letting the water in contact with the leaves. The leaves of succulents save water, however they do not need watering.
You do not need to water Crassula perforata frequently. When the soil is fully dry and not in the past, only water again. Following this cycle will assist to keep the plant from being overwatered.
Temperature And Humidity – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
String of buttons makes an exceptional container plant however need to be secured from frost or temperature levels listed below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
The climate condition in South Africa have actually prepared Crassula perforata for some raised temperatures, though more frequent watering might be needed in these instances.
Fertiliser – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
String of buttons normally grows in locations with bad, sterile soil. It is not utilized to having nutrient-rich soil. Fertilizer ought to not be required. If you are aiming to give the plant a little bit of a boost, utilizing a houseplant fertilizer watered down to half-strength will work.
String Of Buttons Species Types – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
Here are the 3 popular varieties of Crassula perforata.
Crassula perforata ssp. Kougaensis is a standard type of succulent with reddish or pinkish edges on each leaf.
Another common type of this succulent variation is Crassula perforata variegata that has rainbow-like colors on the edges of each leaf.
Crassula perforata ‘Ivory Towers’ has much bigger leaves and more distinct pigmentation at the margins.
How To Prune String Of Buttons – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
You can prune Crassula perforata considering that it can grow out of shape and in all directions, taking on the look of thick, wavy spiral noodles (a desirable quality, though, if you desire your plant to a waterfall over a hanging pot). Use sterilized gardening scissors to prune the stubborn stems and get the plant back in shape.
How To Propagate String Of Buttons – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
Like the majority of other succulents, string of buttons is easy to propagate from the spin-offs that grow from the mom plant, which are often described as puppies. It is not recommended to propagate from the leaves, as the majority of the leaves will not make it through. Take these steps to propagate from cuttings:
1. Search for several decent-sized puppies to cut from the mother plant using a sharp and sterile knife.
2. Take the bottom leaves off the stems. You can carefully loosen the leaves and move them off the stem.
3. Let the stems dry for a day prior to planting the cuttings. This gives the exposed end of the cutting a chance to develop a callous to keep in water, which will make it more likely to root successfully.
4. Fill a clay pot with a well-draining potting mix developed for cacti and succulents.
5. Put the bottom of the cutting into the soil, along with any emerging roots.
6. Keep the pot in a spot with bright light and water it when a week or when the soil is dry.
7. The cuttings need to be rooted in a couple of weeks.
How To Pot And Repot String Of Buttons – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
It might sprawl, string of buttons is not a big plant and it can live gladly for its entire life in a 3-gallon or 10-inch pot.2 It’s not recommended to regularly repot succulents since they do not like the disruption, but it might be essential to fix root damage.
Remove the plant gently from its pot and clear the dirt to inspect any damaged roots. Repot in a clay pot of a similar or slightly larger size than the initial pot using dry potting mix created for succulents and cacti.
Don’t Let Pests And Diseases Ruin Your String Of Buttons! – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
String of buttons does not draw in many insects with the exception of scale, spider termites, and mealybugs, all of which can be successfully gotten rid of with neem oil indoors or outdoors. Fungal illness and root rot might develop from overwatering.
How To Take Care Of String Of Buttons – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
There are rarely problems with this easy-going succulent. You might find a number of problems that are simple to treat.
Brown Leaves – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
Your plant might be getting excessive sunlight and triggering sunburn. Move the plant to an area that gets less direct light.
Soft Stem – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
You may be overwatering your plant. The stem might feel mushy, too. Try restoring the plant by getting rid of the dead leaves and soft stems, and then let the plant dry out prior to giving it any additional water.
Shrivelled Leaves – A Beginner’s Guide to Crassula Perforata
The leaves may shrivel if you do not give enough water to your succulent. The leaves are not saving or retaining water, which is making them dry up. Water immediately to see improvement.
