Crassula Desert Diamond

The Crassula pellucida 'Desert Diamond' is a variety of succulent plant native to South Africa, ideal as a small ground cover in poor, sandy or rocky soils. This small perennial forms a very dense carpet of tiny green leaves, edged with cream or pink depending on sun exposure, accompanied by white flowering in autumn. Not very hardy, it is a perfect variety for container cultivation, to be protected during winter. In coastal gardens or those protected from heavy frosts, it proves particularly attractive on walls, in rockeries or as a cover for green roofs.

The Crassula pellucida is a succulent perennial of the Crassulaceae family. Most species of the genus are native to South Africa where they thrive in bright environments, in well-drained, light soils that remain dry during the winter season. This species requires little watering, as its fleshy leaves serve as storage during drier periods. The Crassula pellucida is sometimes grown as an indoor plant, as it is susceptible to frost from -2 to -4°C. It is brought indoors, protected from frost, from the end of autumn.

The Crassula 'Desert Diamond' is a highly branched plant with relatively slow growth. It measures about 5 to 10 cm in height, but spreads laterally through rooting stems that anchor into the ground. The reddish stems bear numerous rosettes of small pointed, fleshy, shiny, green leaves, edged with cream and pink. Flowering occurs in late summer or autumn. It takes the form of short flower spikes, barely emerging from the foliage, bearing corymbs of very small star-shaped, white flowers measuring approximately 5 mm in diameter.

In mild coastal climates, the 'Desert Diamond' Crassula can be planted in rockeries, on top of walls, or on well-drained slopes. It pairs well with plants that share the same conditions, as a ground cover, along with other succulents such as Delospermas, Sedums, and Aptenia. Also consider small asters like Felicia amelloides. Elsewhere, plant it in a beautiful pot, alone or in combination with other succulent plants such as sempervivums, for example.