Synonyms:

Crassula mesembryanthoides subsp. hispida
Globulea hispida
Globulea mesembrianthemoides
Globulea mesembryanthemoides var. hispida

Habitat:

Crassula mesembryanthoides is native to South Africa.

Description:

Crassula mesembryanthemoides owes its name to another genus of plants: Mesembryanthemum. That’s because this plant is slightly different from the other Crassula: its leaves are arranged in rosettes and are really similar to the ones of a Mesembryanthemum in shape and colour. In fact they are light green, sometimes pointed in red with yellow hints, banana-shaped, thickly covered in soft, white bristles which make it fluffy and pretty.
Flowers of Crassula mesembryanthemoides are pink, tubular or bell-shaped, and grow in clusters at the top of the plant.

Cultivation:

Crassula mesembryanthemoides is a slow-growing plant, not so difficult to grow. Pay attention to watering: interventions should be moderate and frequent to maintain a moist (never overwet) soil in Spring and Summer and reduced and scarce in Winter, only when the substrate completely dries up, to prevent it from root and stem rot. This plant requires a bright spot but a full exposure in Summer should be avoided. It’s better to keep it indoors to avoid frost damages: temperatures below 5ºC could damage the plant. This species needs a good airflow: its surrounding environment shouldn’t be too humid. Its ideal substrate is a porous potting mix, very well-draining. Choose a shallow pot to provide the best condition for its fibrous roots. Repotting is not so often necessary because of the slow growing attitude of this plant.

Propagation:

Propagation can be realized simply taking of its numerous offsets and planting them in a humid, sandy soil.

Curiosity:

The name “Crassula” comes from the Latin “crassus”, which means fat.