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Crassula tetragona

Miniature Pine Tree

Plant photo of: Crassula tetragona
Information by: plantoftheweek.org        Photographer:

 

Description

Miniature Pine Tree is a succulent, glabrous shrub native to South Africa. The upright stems with tree-like habit will reach about 2 feet tall with an equal spread. The opposite, light green leaves are awl-shaped and will reach up to 1.50 inches long. The plants have been used in dish gardens for their pine-like appearance. They are of easy culture and hardy in the landscape in USDA zones 9-11. In the greenhouse, the plants bloom in the spring with very small white blooms. Individual blooms are 1/8 inch long. They are quite showy when in bloom. Crassula tetragona need full sun to light shade with a well-drained soil mix. In the greenhouse, we use a soil mix consisting of 1 part peat moss to 1 part loam to 2 parts sand. The plants are well watered and allowed to dry thoroughly before watering again. Plants are fertilized only once during the growing season. The plants are fairly slow growing and do not need to be re-potted very often. During the winter months, the plants are moved to the cold room and the temperature is dropped to 48 degrees F and plants are watered only enough to keep the leaves from shriveling. When grown in the landscape, the plants are hardy down to 28 degrees F. Crassula tetragona plants are propagated by division of clumps or from leaf and stem cuttings.

 

Plant Type

Succulent

Height Range

1-3'

Width Range

Under 1'

Flower Color

White

Flower Season

Spring

Leaf Color

Light Green

Bark Color

n/a

Fruit Color

n/a

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half, Shade

Water

Low

Growth Rate

Slow

Soil Type

Sandy, Loam, Rocky

Soil Condition

Rich, Poor, Well-drained

Soil pH

Neutral

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

Mediterranean, Ranch, Seascape, Spanish

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

Seasonal Interest

Summer

Location Uses

Entry, Indoor, Patio, Walkways, With Rocks

Special Uses

Container, Small Spaces, Hanging Baskets

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Water Saving Tip:

Water high water-use plants separately from low water-use plants.

Low water-use plants can grow with one-half the water needed by high water-use plants, and can be easily damaged from over watering.