How to the String Of Buttons Succulent
A fascinating succulent with neatly stacked foliage Crassula perforata is commonly called ‘String of Buttons’ and is also known as the ‘Stacked Succulent’.
This easy care plant comes in a number of varieties some with amazing leaf colour and the ‘Giant Form’ (pictured) is on of the best.
Like all succulents the foliage colour will vary with the amount of sun the plant receives.
‘String of Buttons’ is best described as having pale green leaves with rosy pink margins, and you notice a few pink spots as well.
The foliage grows in ‘stacks’ and seems to swirl around the upright stems. It makes a great container plant
How to Grow Crassula perforata
This is a fast growing succulent, easy care and a great plant for beginners.
- Plant in a specialist cactus and succulent potting mix.
- Fertilise with a little slow release fertiliser and lime when planting or re-potting.
- Find a position with good full sun in the morning and a little protection from the heat of the afternoon sun in summer.
- Water only as the soil begins to dry.
- Indoors try a position where the plant will receive good sun, avoiding a position to close to windows where heat will be excessive.
Detailed Care
- Light
Although this is a succulent that will grow in range of light conditions, for best growth and foliage colour good sun is important.
Position in good morning sun with some protection from very hot afternoon sun works well.
If the foliage is lacking colour, or tending to stretch and reach for the light, you usually need more sun.
If the foliage shows signs of burning, thats to much very hot sun. - Temperature
Try to avoid frosts and aim to keep the daytime temperature between 15C and 25C. Avoid temperatures below 7C. And do not water during long cold period. - Humidity should be medium to low and do not mist spray
- Soil/Potting Mix
Mostly these are grown in containers and a regular succulent and cactus potting mix will be adequate.
Outdoor, in the ground, a well drained soil perhaps in rock or crevice garden could be ideal. - Watering
The wet/dry cycle of watering works the best, with less water during cold periods.
Water well and allow the soil to dry well before watering again.
Ensure that the pot you use has good sized drainage holes and do not let the plant sit in a dish of water.
Problems
- Your stacked succulent is dying.
Usually through overwatering, the soil MUST be allowed do dry between waterings otherwise fungal problems and rot will kill the roots. - How do you save an overwatered Crassula perforata ?
You can try stopping watering for a week or so, this can fix minor problems. The best way to save the plant is to repot it into a free draining potting mix with good drainage holes.
Other Information
- Crassula perforata will flower with small yellow blooms in spring.
- The foliage will be green in very low light light situations, sun is required to bring out the colours.
- This plant is regarded as non toxic to cats and dogs.
- Summer is the dormant period.
- This plant is not frost tolerant and does not tolerate cold conditions.
- Propagation is from stem cuttings or leaf cuttings. Also from offsets as the plant matures.
- A variegated form is also available
Related Plants
Summary Description
- Botanical Name: Crassula perforata
- Family Name: Crassulaceae
- Origins: Cape provinces of South Africa
- Common Name: String of buttons
- Plant Type: Succulent.
- Height: From 12 inches (30cm) to 24 inches (60cm) Weeping forms are also available.
- Width: Will spread to around 18 inches (45cm)
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to light afternoon shade.
- Soil: Free draining succulent mix
- Container growing: Yes
- Garden growing: Warmer climates only
- Flowers :small yellow or white
- Flowering Time Spring
- Foliage: Pointed triangular
- Foliage colour: Red to light green, some variegated.
- Frost tolerant: Mild frosts only
- Drought tolerant: Yes