Crassula 'Moonglow' | Crassula 'Moonglow'
€7,95
🌱 Morphology
Succulent hybrid introduced by Johnson Cactus Gardens in 1958, resulting from the cross between Crassula deceptor and Crassula perfoliata var. minor.
Forms upright, compact, and initially sparsely branched stems, which over time produce branching and numerous basal shoots. It can reach approximately 20 cm in height, forming groups of columns.
The leaves are very fleshy, thick, and densely imbricated, arranged in opposite and decussate pairs around the stem. They are gray-green to silvery gray, with a surface covered by a fine pubescence that provides the characteristic velvety and muted appearance that inspired the name ‘Moonglow’. The pairs of leaves are so close together that they barely leave the stem visible, forming compact columns with an approximately quadrangular cross-section.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It has no native distribution, since ‘Moonglow’ is a horticultural hybrid. It was introduced by Johnson Cactus Gardens in 1958 and its historical parentage is documented as Crassula deceptor × C. perfoliata var. minor.
Its two parents are South African and belong to the Crassulaceae family. The hybrid combines the compact architecture and grayish epidermis of C. deceptor with the characteristic leaf structure of C. perfoliata var. minor.
❄️ Temperature — USDA Zone 9b–11b
It is a hybrid of South African succulents adapted to dry environments. It is recommended to protect it from frost and, especially, to prevent it from remaining cold and wet. During periods of low temperatures, the substrate should be kept completely dry.
☀️ Lighting
It needs very high light to maintain the compact columns, short internodes, and silvery gray tone of the leaves. Approximate PAR DLI: 15–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹.
It tolerates direct sun when gradually acclimated. Insufficient lighting causes stem elongation, leaf separation, and loss of its characteristic columnar architecture.
💧 Growth cycle and watering
Opportunistic. As a horticultural hybrid, it does not have its own natural climatic cycle. In cultivation, it shows activity mainly during periods of moderate temperatures and may slow down during the summer when intense heat and high radiation coincide.
During active growth, it is recommended to perform abundant watering, allowing the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. During periods of intense heat, the frequency should be reduced if the plant stops growing. In winter, with low temperatures, it is recommended to space out watering considerably and keep the substrate dry.
🌸 Flowering
Produces branched terminal inflorescences, with small flowers in shades of reddish, orange, or apricot. Flowering appears when the specimens have reached sufficient maturity and receive adequate lighting.
In cultivation, it is usually observed during the cold months, being able to start in late autumn and extend throughout the winter depending on environmental conditions.
🌿 Nutrition
During periods of active growth, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, applied after watering and with the substrate previously moistened. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi.
Plants in 9x9 cm pots
* Since this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The measurements of the plant are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly, because it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.
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