Photo of Crassula muscosa form by Little Prince of Oregon

Photo by Little Prince of Oregon

Used with permission, all rights reserved.

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Crassula muscosa

Also Known As

  • Crassula lycopodioides
  • Crassula muscosa 'Watch Chain'
  • Crassula muscosa var. pseudolycopodiodes
  • Crassula pseudo lycopodioides
  • Crassula pseudolycopodioidies
  • Lizard's Tail
  • Moss Cypress
  • Princess Pine
  • Rattail Crassula
  • Watch Chain

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

  • H: 6"-12"
  • W: 12"-24"

planting zones

  • 9b-11

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Crassula muscosa plant details

Crassula muscosa is an evergreen cactus / succulent with green foliage. In summer white flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in average, gritty, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Crassula muscosa

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: crassulaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 12 IN - 24 IN - wide, 6 IN - 12 IN - tall
Flowers: white blooms in summer
Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, houseplant, rock garden, xeric, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Crassula muscosa

USDA Zones: 9b - 11
Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: average, gritty, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Ideal in warm climate landscapes and container gardens, or it is especially happy sitting on your windowsill as a houseplant. In order to achieve the red coloring, the plant needs LOTS of light and remember not to overwater. Protect your PRINCE OF PARADISE™ from frost!
Native to Africa, forms spreading clusters of slender stems with densely stacked tiny leaves. Leaves are pointed, light green in color and arranged along the stems like scales. Known as the "Watch Chain" plant.
This does indeed look a bit like a club moss with stems of imbricated fleshy leaves like a square rat's tail branching to form a weird coral like growth, it's South African and tender.
Cannot handle our full summer sun. Light Shade. Tiny Greenish Flowers. Indoor/ Outdoor (Patio).

By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

Crassula pseudolycopodioides, a semi-shrub with very slender upright stems covered from top to bottom with very thin small overlapping leaves...resembles a watchchain
This branching succulent from South Africa adds great texture & color to your plantings. It’s a great foliage plant to mix in with other flowering plants or with different colored foliage. The vivid-chartreuse green of its leaves blend wonderfully in our nursery beds with Senecio madraliscae. Growing to about 1' tall, plant in full sun unless you garden in a hot region & then give it a little shade.

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Gardening facts about Crassula muscosa plant

How to Grow Crassula muscosa

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - dappled shade
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • rocky
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • white
  • Flower Season

    • summer
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen

See other plant types of Crassula for your garden

aka Elegant Crassula

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

9b-12

Size

Height: 2"-4"

Width: 6"-12"

  • sun - bright shade
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in summer
Photo of Crassula elegans foliage by Stan Shebs
View Plant

aka Crassula nudicaulis var. herrei

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent, Groundcover

Zones

9b-12

Size

Height: 4"-10"

Width: 6"-12"

  • sun - bright shade
  • occasional - drought tolerant
Photo of Crassula herrei foliage by Bluemoose
View Plant

aka Crassula hottentotta, Crassula merxmuelleri

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

9b-12

Size

Height: 4"-8"

Width: 6"-10"

  • sun - bright shade
  • occasional - drought tolerant
  • dry in summer
Photo of Crassula sericea var. hottentotta foliage by Stan Shebs
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aka Crassula hystrix

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

9a-12

Size

Height: 2"-4"

Width: 4"-6"

  • sun - mostly sun
  • occasional - drought tolerant
Photo of Crassula hirtipes foliage by Dysmorodrepanis
View Plant

aka Crassula marnierana, Jade Necklace Vine, Worm Plant

Plant Type

Cactus / Succulent

Zones

9b-12

Size

Height: 4"-8"

Width: 8"-18"

  • sun - dappled shade
  • occasional - low
  • dry in summer
Photo of Crassula rupestris ssp. marnieriana close-up, foliage by Stan Shebs
View Plant

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