Crassula perfoliata var. minor

Crassula perfoliata var. falcata is a striking succulent from South Africa with large, grey, sickle shaped leaves that can be topped with a large cluster of fiery red flowers. Water well when soil is dry but be cautious in winter as cold, wet soil will cause root rot.

Tender. Gray-green sickle shaped leaves.

Light Shade. Indoor/ Outdoor (Patio). Spectacular clusters of bright Orange Flowers.

There are many plant families containing succulents, but few which consist almost entirely of succulents. One such family is the Crassulaceae, often called the Stonecrop Family, whose members are prominently featured at the Ruth Bancroft Garden. This family contains many familiar garden subjects including sedums (stonecrop), echeverias (hen-and-chicks), sempervivums (houseleeks), graptopetalums (ghost plants), etc. The family takes its name from Crassula, a genus of about 300 species found mostly in South Africa. One of the most familiar species is the jade tree (C. ovata, also sometimes labeled as C. argentea). However, this plant is quite large for the genus. Smaller than this, but still good-sized for a Crassula, is C. perfoliata var. falcata, the subject of our August Plant Highlight. Crassula perfoliata var. falcata was long considered a separate species from C. perfoliata, and so it is widely known simply as Crassula falcata. It has curving, sickle-shaped leaves and is sometimes called the sickle plant or propeller plant. Its leaves are gray or gray-green, and they may be up to 8 inches (20 cm) long, though usually less than this. Plants may grow to 2 feet (60 cm) or more in height, but the stems often sprawl to the side if they get too long. In California gardens, C. perfoliata var. falcata usually flowers in July and August. While most species of Crassula have flowers in the white-to-pink range, those of C. perfoliata var. falcata are more vividly colored, varying from scarlet to salmon-red. They are held in a dense cluster above the apex of the stem. Like most crassulas, C. perfoliata var. falcata comes from South Africa. It grows well in California gardens, and can endure without difficulty the mild frosts which occur periodically in our region. Plants can be propagated from cuttings, which strike root easily.

Showy & Glowy! Brilliant scarlet flowers in dense clusters provide thrills in Summer for a month or more. And they’re held above some of the coolest leaves in succulent-land. Blue grey propeller shaped leaves held in overlapping pairs. Native to the Cape of Good Hope, “Airplane Plant” will grow to 2’ or so & is hardy to 20°F which is great for such a showy succulent. Nice in a pot or rock garden & can even be grown as a houseplant, just provide good drainage.

It's an old fashioned succulent plant. At least it is to us. For forty some years we've had 'em around. The "Propeller Plant", so called. It's a striking plant without flowers, but when it flowers...what's not to like! It's a wonderful South African plant which is great as a potted specimen and wonderful planted outside in places where the weather permits.