Crassula capitella

Crassula capitella is a perennial succulent plant native to southern Africa. Valued for its decorative, sculptural foliage, it adds a touch of intense colour to interiors. Its fleshy leaves, arranged in a spiral around the stems, transition from light green to vibrant red hues under adequate light.

Belonging to the Crassulaceae family, Crassula capitella is an extremely variable species. As a succulent, it forms basal rosettes from which stems emerge, reaching 15 to 40 cm in height. These stems, often creeping, root at the nodes when they touch the soil, allowing the plant to spread and form dense mats. In its natural habitat, Crassula capitella thrives on dry, sunny slopes, primarily in South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia. This adaptation to arid environments makes it a hardy and easy-to-grow indoor plant. The narrow, pointed leaves are spirally arranged around the stems, giving it a "pagoda" appearance. Under intense light or full sun, the lime-green foliage turns scarlet red, creating a striking contrast. In summer, the plant produces small star-shaped white flowers, clustered in terminal inflorescences.

Crassula capitella pairs harmoniously with other succulents in contrasting shades, such as Echeveria or Sedum, in attractive arrangements for planters or open terrariums. Also consider other compact succulents like Haworthia fasciata and Graptopetalum paraguayense, as well as trailing plants like Senecio rowleyanus, creating a varied composition in textures and forms on a well-lit shelf.