Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 11:50 am
The Crassula Tetragona is an amazing plant that can thrive in all types of environments. It has the ability to survive even if its leaves are destroyed, which makes it a great plant for kids who love to play with plants! Crassula Tetragona is also very easy to grow and maintain, making it perfect for beginners.
The Crassula Tetragona is a succulent plant that comes from South Africa. It has been in the Crassulaceae family since 1869 and is known for its thick, fleshy leaves with a dark green or light brown coloration. The Crassula Tetragona’s name means four-angled in Latin which refers to the shape of their stems. These plants can grow up to 12 inches tall and have an extremely low water requirement when grown indoors.
The plant is an evergreen succulent that typically grows into a small bush with short branches, though it can also grow in the opposite direction if not restricted by something like a window box or pot. They are usually spherical but sometimes branch out and become more tree-like in shape. The leaves are green and turn slightly reddish as the plant matures.
Crassula Tetragona, also known as the “Miniature Pine Tree” or “Chinese Money Plant“, grows in thick clusters of four-sided branches. It is native to South Africa and gets its name from its tetrahedral shape.
Origin of crassula tetragona
In the early 1800s, European botanists began to study plants from South Africa. In 1868, a large plant collection was made and distributed across Europe and North America. It is believed that Crassula Tetragona came from this area in South Africa because of its resemblance to other succulent plants from this region.
In 1869, the Crassula Tetragona was first described as a new species by N.E. Brown and given its own genus in the family of Crassulaceae (Stonecrop). The plant’s name is Latin for “four-angled”, which refers to its shape and stems that branch out in four directions.
Because of the Crassula Tetragona’s fleshy leaves and its resemblance to other Crassulaceae plants, it is believed that this plant was most likely found in South Africa. This family consists of succulent plants which are known for their water storage capabilities (hence “succulent”). It is thought that the Crassula Tetragona most likely came from this area of South Africa because of its resemblance to other plants within the family.
Crassula tetragona propagation
The best way to propagate Crassula Tetragona is by cuttings. Take a cutting of about 20cm and remove the leaves from the bottom third of the stem for faster growth. Place your cutting in soil or sand, keep it moist until roots develop (approximately two weeks) and then transplant into pots when needed. This plant is also called the “Miniature Pine Tree” and it can be grown indoors or outdoors. It usually grows in a thick trunk with an intricate network of branches, which resemble pine trees (hence the name).
By cuttings or leaves.
Propagation by leaves
To propagate from leaves, remove the lowermost leaves on an existing branch and leave it to dry out for one week before planting it in moist compost or sand where you want your new plant to grow.
The stem should have at least three sections for this process to work best. A rooting hormone may also help the cutting take hold faster.
Propagation by cuttings
To propagate from cuttings, cut a new section of stem with at least three sections and plant in soil or sand. The cutting should root within four weeks to two months.
You do not have to worry about cross-pollination of Crassula Tetragona if you grow them indoors, so feel free to mix up your succulents.
General Care Information
Under lights, they need a bright spot but will still thrive with just an hour or two of sunlight per day. The soil should drain well and be allowed to dry out between waterings, but the plant will still need some moisture in order to survive.
Light requirements
Crassula Tetragona needs bright indirect light to thrive and may be placed in the sunniest window of your home.
Crassula Tetragona enjoys bright light, but not direct sunlight which can burn its leaves. During the summer it should be kept outdoors where it will receive plenty of sun. In winter you can move your plant to a cool bright room and place it near a window so that it gets indirect sunlight from dawn till dusk.
Soil/potting mix
Crassula Tetragona is adapted to grow in dry conditions. The best soil for it would be a potting mix that drains well and does not retain too much water (it should drain within an hour). It thrives on the poorest of soils, but you can make your own nutrient-rich soil with composted materials like leaves and compost.
The Crassula Tetragona will do well in rich, porous soil with plenty of drainages. It can handle being potbound and isn’t too fussy about the type of mix but generally speaking it does better in a slightly acidic to neutral pH compost that allows some air through around its roots while still retaining sufficient moisture.
Watering & Feeding
The incredible Crassula Tetragona responds well to moderate water, but not too much. Overwatering can be deadly for this plant as it will rot the roots and cause leaves to fall off before they have a chance to grow back. In general, it is best to err on the side of under-watering, rather than over-watering.
Fertilizer
This plant can grow with or without additional fertilizer. If you choose to feed your succulents, use a balanced substrate that is diluted at half strength once every two weeks during the warmer months of spring and summer. During winter, this plant requires no feeding at all. This will allow for proper growth throughout the year while still being able to maintain a low care level.
Temperature
The Crassula Tetragona is a succulent plant, which means it loves the heat! It can survive in temperatures of about -15°C to 40°C. If you live in an area that has more extreme weather conditions, I would recommend bringing your crassula indoors during the winter and back outside for summertime.
Humidity
If you live in a very humid environment, then it might be best to avoid the Crassula Tetragona. This is because they are used to dry conditions and humidity can cause root rot issues for this plant. If your area has high humidity levels during the summer months, try placing these plants near exterior walls or air conditioning units where the air is less humid.
The ideal humidity range is between 40-80%.
Pruning Crassula Tetragona
Pruning Crassula Tetragonal is pretty easy and doesn’t need much attention. You can prune your plant any time of the year, but in winter or early spring, you should cut back at least a third of the stems to keep it healthy and full. The smaller varieties such as Crassula “Mint Julep” or “Baby’s Necklace,” can be pruned quite severely and will still bounce back quickly
Do not cut the branches too short. Leave a few centimeters of the stem to allow for new growth. If you want to propagate your Crassula Tetragona, wait until spring when it begins growing again. Cut the stem halfway down and put it in a glass of water.
Wait until you start seeing new growth before re-potting your Crassula Tetragona into fresh soil. When repotting, make sure not to bury too deep; only cover about an inch or two below the surface, as this plant needs light to produce new growth.
When to repot
The Crassula Tetragona should be repotted when it has outgrown its pot. It can be repotted at practically any time of the year, although spring or autumn are preferred.
Crassula tetragona is a succulent which means it stores water in its leaves and stems. If your plant’s roots are overflowing the pot or you notice any mushy spots on them, then it’s time to repot. You can replant crassula either every spring (because it likes a lot of sun and warmth) or when it becomes too big for its pot.
Dormancy
Crassula Tetragona is similar to Jade plants in that they go through a period of dormancy. They will lose their leaves and stop growing during this time, which can run from several months up to a year or more depending on the severity of your winters. As with many succulents, you should try not to overwater it while it is dormant, to avoid root rot.
Flowers & Fragrance
The flowers of Crassula Tetragona are carried in clusters and have a wonderful citrusy scent. The leaves grow to be about two inches long and one inch wide, which makes it hard for this plant to compete with larger succulents like Agave americana or Aloe vera, so the best way to appreciate this plant is to grow it in a container of its own.
Growth rate
The Crassula Tetragona is a succulent plant that grows relatively quickly, especially when it’s in the middle of summer. When growing indoors or outdoors, you can expect your plants to grow anywhere from 0.25 meters up to one meter every year!
Toxicity
Crassula tetragona contains saponins which are poisonous to both pets and humans. If ingested, it can also cause vomiting and diarrhea in both dogs and cats.
Apples also contain the same toxin as Crassula Tetragona but apples will not kill your cat or dog if eaten whole or even partially digested because of their size.
USDA Hardiness Zones
The Crassula Tetragona is hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 11 and 12. However, it can be grown successfully as far north as Zone 8 where mulch or a sheltered location will help protect the plant during the winter months.
Pests and diseases
Crassula Tetragona is a hardy plant and for this reason, it does not suffer from many pests or diseases. However, like most houseplants, it may be susceptible to red spider mites (which create small web-like patches on the plant leaves) and mealybugs (small white insects that form cottony masses).
Conclusion on Crassula Tetragona
Crassula Tetragona is a beautiful, easy to care for succulent that requires little maintenance. It makes an excellent plant for any home or office!
