Crassula Campfire belonging to the Crassulaceae family is an evergreen succulent plant. The plant possesses propeller-shaped thick, fleshy, and green-colored leaves that turn bright red when receiving plenty of sunlight.
Any one of you fond of decorating their surroundings with vibrant and bright colors must consider this house plant. Its easily manageable nature and air purification quality further enhance its value for flamboyant people.
If you want to know more about this colorful houseplant, keep reading.
Classification of Crassula Campfire
Scientific Name: Crassula Capitella Campfire
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula
Origin and Distribution
The plant is native to South Africa. It is also found in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Transvaal, and within a few parts of Botswana and Southern Namibia.
Features of Crassula Campfire
Leaves
The leaves of this perennial succulent plant are one of its most peculiar features. They grow in the prostate and are pointed and fleshy. The leaves are usually light green which turns either yellow or bright red when exposed to full sun.
Flower
Crassula Campfire also produces white-colored flowers in clusters during the summer season. These flowers attract butterflies and bees.
Size
The mature Crassula Campfire is 6 inches tall and 36 inches wide.
Evergreen
The perennial plant belongs to an evergreen community. This is the reason the plant keeps outshining your collection of houseplants through its beautiful and unique colored leaves throughout the year.
Durability
It is a resistant and durable plant and survives for years after achieving maturity.
Maintenance
This succulent plant like its other family members flourishes beautifully with little care and time. This is the reason; it is also known as a low-maintenance or easily manageable plant.
Dormancy
Like other succulent plants, the Campfire Crassula also goes into a dormant stage during the winter season. It is recommended that you must not disturb your plant during this time as it restricts its growth.
Growth
The growth rate of this plant is neither too slow nor too fast and it grows at a moderate rate.
Toxicity
These plants do not possess friendly nature and are toxic to both pets and children. Therefore, it is recommended that always place the pot of the plant away from pets and children.
Air purification
Air purification is one of the most important characteristics of succulent plants. Like other succulent plants, the crassula campfire also purifies its surrounding air.
This air purification quality makes these plants an even more exciting option for those who are conscious of the quality of the air they breathe.
Care Guide For Crassula Campfire
Light Requirement
Lightning is one of the basic needs for your Crassula Campfire to acquire bright and attractive-colored leaves. An adequate amount of light is indisputably important for enjoying the beauty of this plant.
Crassula Capitella native to the warm environment loves full sunlight, however, you must adopt a cautious attitude while providing light to your plant. For instance, in case you live in a warm area where the sunlight is very harsh then place your plant in direct sunlight only for 2-3 hours.
The continuous exposure will scourge its leaves. The indirect sunlight works for your plant during the summer season. Setting a greenhouse shade or placing the pot near a window receiving indirect light is highly recommended in this season.
On the other hand, in winters, you can expose your plant to direct sunlight for more hours as sunlight is comparatively mild in this season. The experts are of the view that a combination of both direct and indirect sunlight thrives this plant beautifully.
Water Requirement
Watering plays a critical role in blooming your Crassula Campfire and maintaining its health. The process of watering your plant is entirely dependent upon your surrounding climatic conditions.
In the case of warm areas, you need to water your plant frequently whereas, in cold areas, you must water your plant sporadically. You must be very careful while watering your plant as it does not like overwatering and excessive water may lead to root rotting.
The best methods for watering your succulent plants are the soak and dry method and 2-inch finger role as these plants express their fullest beauty through these watering methods. Therefore, for ensuring the health of your plant, you must water your plant according to its needs.
Soil Requirement
Soil also plays an essential role in either boosting or restricting the growth of Crassula Capitella. The best soil for your Crassula Campfire is the one having an adequate mixture of potting mix and perlite.
Moreover, it is also recommended that you must choose a soil that is de-moisturized and possess an adequate capability to drain the water effectively. Also, you must choose a pot that possesses a drainage hole at the bottom as it will bloom your succulent plant spectacularly.
Temperature Requirement
Campfire Succulent is fond of moderate temperature; therefore, you must avoid too hot and too cold temperatures. Crassula Campfire can survive a little bit of warm temperature; however, it cannot withstand temperatures lower than 30oF.
In winters, it is suggested that you must place the pot near the window receiving indirect bright light. And when the temperature increases from 30oF then place your plant outdoor for 5-6 hours.
Fertilizer Requirement
Campfire plant requires a slow dosage of fertilizer during the summer season. Make a dilute solution of fertilizer and add it slowly to the roots of your plant. The diluted fertilizer can be fed every week whereas a concentrated fertilizer should be added once a month during the summer season.
However, you must not add any fertilizer during the winter season. Since the plant restricts its growth during winters. Moreover, avoid over-feeding your plant as it is injurious to your plant’s health.
Repotting Requirement
Repotting always possesses a good impact on the growth of your succulent plant. Always repot your plant when the topsoil gets dry and also ensure to do repotting during the warm season. You must follow these steps while repotting your plant:
- Remove the dry and dead soil from the roots of the plant gently
- Cut the infected or dead roots with the help of sterile scissors
- Treat the cuts with a fungicide
- Place the plant in a new pot having an adequate potting mixture
- Leave the plant for one week and let the roots dry
- Lightly water the plant after one week
Pruning Requirement
Pruning always poses a refreshing impact on your plant. The Crassula Campfire does not need frequent pruning. You must only prune your plant in case of observing any dead leaves.
Propagation
Another exciting news about this Crassula Campfire is that it is very easy to propagate. There are many ways to propagate your plants. These methods include stem cutting, seed propagation, and leaf propagation. Stem cutting is the widely used method for propagating your plant. You must follow these steps to propagate your plant:
- Choose a healthy stem.
- Remove the stem from the plant neatly with the help of sterilized scissors.
- After cutting the stem, leave it for two days, and let it dry.
- Place the stem in a pot with an adequate potting mixture.
- Leave the plant for 2-3 weeks.
- Water the plant lightly after 2-3 weeks once the soil dries.
On the other hand, propagation through seeds is a complex and time taking process, therefore, it is mostly not recommended.
Common Problems of Crassula Campfire
Mealybugs and large insects sometimes may attack your plant. The compact leaves of this plant provide an excellent housing environment for mealy bugs.
If you observe curling of leaves or white cotton appearing on your leave then mealy bugs must have attacked your plant. These insects usually attack the plant due to excessive moisture. Therefore, regulating the humidity levels is necessary to avoid this problem.
In addition to this, overwatering, low temperature, and inadequate soil quality also influence the growth and development of your plant. Therefore, fulfilling these basic requirements of your plant may enable you to evade such issues.
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Final Word
Crassula Campfire is a strong and easily manageable plant. The plant though grows at a moderate growth rate, however, once it matures, then it dominates other houseplants due to its bright and vibrant colored leaves.
The low temperatures are lethal to the growth of this plant; therefore, you must transfer them indoors during the winter season. Moreover, the plant must be placed in a safe place as it is toxic to both pets and children.
