Crassula umbella is a stunning plant which anybody would like to add to their garden collection. Many people are attracted to its fabulous and unique looks.
If you manage to look after the plants well whilst providing their right growing conditions, they will flourish to the fullest.
Crassula umbella belongs to the family Crassula. Crassula literally refers to being thick in Latin. This indicates on the pump leaves of the plants.
One might say, the most Crassula species is either Crassula Ovata or Jade plant. However, Crassula umbella are also some stunning plants which anybody would fall in love with.
These are native plants to South Africa which literally mean they are used to grow in hot and dry weather conditions.
Crassula umbella are commonly called a wine cup and it refers to the unique shape that these plants inherit. It is very easy to look after and I am going to cover all the right care tips from this article.
How do I identify crassula umbella?
You could identify the Crassula umbella plants from its appearance usually since it is unique to them.
They will usually have a rimmed leaf which forms around their stem and that gives the look of a cup to the whole plant. In addition to that their leaves are bulging green in color.
They further produce thin flowers in red as well. Crassula umbella leaves act as water conserving parts of the plants and which could be quite useful during arid and dry climates.
Size of the plant
Crassula umbella would reach a maximum height of 6 inches. Further they would be about 6 inches widespread when they are fully matured.
Growth rate
They are considered as fast growing plants
One look care guide
| Botanical Name | Crassula umbella |
| Common Name | Wine cup |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Mature Size | 6 inches in width and 6 inches in height |
| Sun Exposure | Full sunlight to partial sunlight |
| Soil Type | Well-draining |
| Soil pH | Neutral |
| Bloom Time | Spring |
| Flower Color | Red |
| Hardiness Zones | USDA hardiness zones 9a-10b. |
| Native Area | South Africa |
| Toxicity | Mild Toxic |
| Average price | USD 5 -10 |
How do you take care of a Crassula umbella?
You could easily care for the Crassula umbella plants as they require only a little maintenance. You need to be careful particularly in watering as watering them is quite important when taking care of them.
Light Requirement
Crassula umbella grow in bright sunlight when they grow in their natural habitat. Hence if you add them as houseplants, a bright sunny windowsill will go well.
Having said that, you could place them even on a bookshelf or on your coffee table as well provided that they get adequate strong sunlight levels.
However, ensure that they do not get exposed to direct sunlight as it could cause burns in the plants. Ideally you need to expose them for both full sunlight and for semi shade evenly.
It is crucial that you expose them to adequate sunlight as only then they become more vivid in their flower colors.
Furthermore, the exposure for sufficient sunlight will create deeper shade of red in the plant leaves. In addition to that, if you fail to expose them to sufficient sunlight, chances are that they may become green in color.
Temperature and humidity
Crassula umbella grow in hotter and arid climates as aforesaid in the beginning of the article. Usually, they thrive in a temperature range of 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
During winter, they can thrive in a minimum temperature of 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Succulents in general are a hardy set of plants and they could withstand fluctuations in temperatures for some extent. However, a drastic change in the temperature would cause the plants to die.
Is it cold hardy?
Crassula umbella are not cold hardy plants.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Crassula umbella prefer to grow in USDA hardiness zones 9a-10b.
Watering Requirement
Over watering could be the biggest mistake you could make when taking care of these plants. you end up over watering the plants, it will create root rot in the plants.
In addition to that it would make the plants more vulnerable for so many other fungal infections as well.
Chances are that you may even lose your beloved Crassula umbella plants if you supply them with excess amounts of water.
What I would suggest you is to first wait until their soil becomes withered and then start watering them. Consider applying the soak and dry method when watering them.
This means you should water them thoroughly and let them wither after that. If the water takes about 30 seconds to seep, you could consider adding more water.
Furthermore, reduce watering them in winter and avoid using cold water at any given time too. You need to always go ahead with water which is at room temperature.
Soil Requirement Type / ph.
The most crucial factor when selecting the right soil mix to grow the Crassula umbella is to ensure that they have good drainage.
In fact, it is important that the plant’s soil dries faster so that they can absorb more water. Hence a porous soil mix would go well with these plants.
If you wish to better the draining of the soil mix, you may consider adding rocks and sand to the soil. Alternatively, you may go ahead with a readily available succulent soil mix or with a cactus soil mix as well.
Pot size Potting and Repotting
You should proceed with pots which are made of porous material. That will ensure that excess moisture is evaporating faster in the pots and avoid any potential root rot.
Furthermore, you need to consider repotting them during spring as only then they are actively growing. First and foremost, you should make sure their soil is dry and only then start repotting them.
To repot you need to first take out the plant and knock away any older soil around the soil. Next you may plant them in a slightly larger new pot and start watering them after a couple of weeks’ times.
Where to Plant
Select a place where they can gain adequate sunlight levels. In addition to that keep in mind that they prefer to grow in warmer temperature levels as well.
In case if you live in a place where there will be colder temperatures, you could grow them as indoor plants.
Fertilizer and time of year
These are not the types of the plants which heavily depend on the fertilizers.
If you wish to feed the Crassula umbella plants, you may go ahead and apply a small amount of active fertilizer in spring. That will help the plants to grow vigorously and healthily.
Dormancy
Crassula umbella go dormant in winter as these are soft succulents. Do not expose them to frost and to freezing temperature levels and best is to relocate them indoors.
Can be toxic to pets
Crassula umbella could be mildly toxic when ingested.
Common bugs and illnesses
Over watering is one major concern which you may come across when growing these plants. Succulents in general conserve water in their body and Crassula umbella is no different to them.
Hence, you need to water them adequately and not in abundance. If you wish to ascertain whether your Crassula umbella plants have enough water or not, you could simply observe the leaves in the lower part and if you spot, they have shriveled. It is a sign which indicates that they are lacking sufficient water.
Generally, the potted Crassula umbella plants require more water when compared to the plants when grown outdoors.
On the other hand, if you end over watering, you could spot them becoming yellow. Furthermore, as a result of over watering, Crassula umbella plants may droop as well.
Crassula umbella may come across mealybugs attacks. They are tiny parasites which tend to occupy the succulent plants.
You could spot them as little white substances which tend to look like crabs. To treat them, you may use a rubbing alcohol-soaked q tip and apply it on the bugs. That will not harm the plants too.
Special Care tips
Crassula umbella can thrive with minimum supervision from you. Hence, you do not need to prune them. Further if you could spot any dead leaves or branches, you may remove them as well.
How to propagate crassula umbella
You may use the leaf propagation method to propagate the Crassula umbella plants.
First, you should select a healthy and vigorous leaf for the propagation process. Next you could take off the leaf whilst giving it a small twist.
After that you need to leave them in a warmer place which will allow them to develop callousness for a few days. Finally, you may place the leaf cuttings in the soil which is well draining.
Crassula umbella plant benefits
- Crassula umbella are useful to purify the air quality as well as to increase the humidity levels.
- They would make great house plants too.
- Furthermore, they are considered as a symbol of good luck too.
- Not only that but also, you may use them for housewarming gifts, wedding gifts as well.
Conclusion
As you may understand Crassula umbella plants are such great plants which would grace the entire space wherever you grow them.
If you manage to water them properly and expose them for proper temperature levels and for sunlight levels, they will flourish and grow vigorously.
Crassula umbella would be great picks for beginners in gardening as well.
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