Easy care guide for Crassula Perforata (row of buttons)

Looking for a nice succulent to add to your houseplant collection? Crassula is one of the largest genera of its kind and has a lot to offer. Today I’d like to introduce you to one of my personal favorites, Crassula perforata, also known as button row. This South African succulent is easy to care for and can even bloom indoors.

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This species has an extensive growth pattern. The geometric-looking leaves vary in color from light green to almost grayish, with the edges taking on a reddish tinge when exposed to full sun.

This succulent blooms very easily. Elongated inflorescences are produced at the tips of the stems, dotted with small cream-colored flowers. Nothing special, but still fun to watch!

Crassula perforata is perfectly adapted to drought, bright sun and poor soil, so it grows well in areas that are inhospitable to this species. The fleshy leaves can store water, and its low bushy growth pattern and abundant branching allow the plant to spread quickly and avoid being overwhelmed by other species.

The main culprit is a plant called Crassula conjuncta. I sometimes see plants sold under the names Crassula perforata ‘Giant Form’ or Crassula perforata ‘Ivory Towers’, but I’m sure these are actually both commonly mislabeled conjunctivae.

Another species called Crassula rupestris is also a pretty convincing doppelgänger. Fortunately, all of this works pretty much the same way as a real set of buttons. So you don’t have to worry if you accidentally get another one.

So, are there any true varieties of Crassula perforata other than the usual form? Yes, but not many. First, there are two recognized subspecies of the peony plant series.

These are Crassula perforata ssp. perforata and Crassula perforata ssp. Kougaensis. The former is what is normally sold. The latter can be distinguished by denser and more colorful leaves.

And, like most houseplants, there are rows of variegated peonies. The leaves are green, cream, and sometimes pink.

If you want to grow Crassula indoors, it is important to give the plant as much light as possible. If you leave it in too dark, it won’t die after a few days, but you’ll notice that the stems and leaves will begin to grow over time. Consequently, this leads to a spindly and sad look.

Therefore, place the series of buttons in a well-lit area, such as in front of the sunniest window. This is especially important during the growing season (spring through early fall in most regions) when houseplants need plenty of light for new growth.

You may consider growing Crassula perforata outdoors during the summer. As already mentioned, strong outdoor sun can cause stress coloration on the plant in the form of pink leaf edges. This is harmless, but looks very nice. But don’t forget to give your cat a few weeks to get used to a bright environment.

When it comes to temperatures, the hills of South Africa are sunny, but not always warm. Also, string peonies tolerate colder weather better than many of our favorite tropical houseplants. Light frosts are fine if the soil is kept dry, but it’s best to bring the plants back indoors when nighttime temperatures drop to around 50°F. Otherwise, cold weather may cause a temporary halt in growth.

As for high temperatures, you’ll be uncomfortable long before Crassula is uncomfortable. Up to 100°F is fine.

Succulents can quickly absorb large amounts of water, but if the soil does not dry out quickly enough afterwards, the roots can begin to rot.

In our houses, it is important to use soil mixes that can quickly drain excess water. In my experience, many commercially available mixtures that are advertised as being suitable for cacti and succulents are actually still high in water content. If you want to use pre-mixed soil, a gritty bonsai medium may be a better choice.

In any case, my advice is to mix it yourself. You can easily mix 50% high-quality potting soil and 50% perlite to create an airy mixture suitable for a variety of succulents, including Crassula perforata.

For potted plants, drainage is a priority here as well. You can use any type of planter, but it must have drainage holes in the bottom to prevent water from pooling and causing root rot.

If the leaves at the bottom of your peonies look shriveled and dry, you’ve probably waited too long to water them. On the other hand, if the leaves look yellowish and fall off the stem at the slightest touch, excess moisture may be the culprit.

In the latter case, you will need to remove the plant from the pot and check the roots. This is because parts that have started to rot need to be removed immediately.

If your Crassula is growing a little uncontrollably, you can cut off the stems that you don’t like the look of. See the section on propagation below to learn how to turn them into completely new plants.

It’s a matter of taste, really! I like the look of large, unruly shrubs, so I prefer to keep everything together. No matter what they look like, you can update the soil in your peonies rows every other year or so, upgrading to larger planters or dividing them down the middle.

Let the cuttings dry and callus for a day or two, then prepare a planter with regular succulent soil. Stick the cuttings in soil to prevent them from falling over, place the pot in a sunny spot, and water regularly. New Crassula perforata plants should root within a few weeks.

You can also propagate them in water, but most houseplant enthusiasts don’t bother with that because succulents root quickly in soil.

Oh, and by the way, don’t worry about the decapitated mother plant. It grows without problems and usually produces multiple new “heads”.