Crassula ‘Tom Thumb’ | Crassula ‘Tom Thumb’
€7,95
🌱 Morphology
Small succulent hybrid, highly branched and compact in habit, forming columns or small, geometrically shaped “pagodas.” The stems are initially erect, though some may lean horizontally before regaining verticality at the tips. The leaves are opposite and decussate, fleshy, small, and densely imbricated around the stem, creating a characteristic necklace-like arrangement. They are light green to grayish-green, with small dots and margins that take on dark red, purple, or maroon hues when lighting increases or the plant experiences certain water stress.
🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family
It belongs to the Crassulaceae family and is a hybrid of horticultural origin, meaning it has no natural distribution of its own. It was obtained by crossing Crassula rupestris subsp. marnieriana × Crassula rupestris subsp. rupestris. It is also known by the horticultural name ‘Klein Duimpje’. The combination of both parents explains its compact appearance and the densely imbricated leaf arrangement.
❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 9b–11b
It tolerates low temperatures if the substrate remains dry and the plant is well acclimated, but it must be protected from prolonged frosts and, especially, from moisture combined with cold. During winter dormancy, it is recommended to maintain good drainage and avoid watering if temperatures are low.
☀️ Lighting
High light intensity is recommended, approximately 15–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR as a target guideline. Good light intensity keeps the stems compact and promotes the appearance of the red-purple margins. It tolerates direct sun once acclimated, although in climates with very hot summers, it may be preferable to protect it from the sun during the central hours of the afternoon.
💧 Growth cycle and irrigation
It is a hybrid with clearly winter-preferential behavior, inherited from its C. rupestris parents: it develops its greatest activity during autumn, winter, and spring, while intense summer heat can induce dormancy or a marked slowdown. (Summer dormancy) During the active period, it is recommended to water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry completely before the next watering. In summer, especially during intense heat waves, watering should be spaced out significantly. With low winter temperatures, it should be kept practically dry.
🌸 Flowering
It produces small, white, star-shaped flowers, grouped in terminal inflorescences. Flowering is concentrated during the cool period of the year and can appear from late autumn to spring, depending on cultivation conditions. Good lighting during autumn and a cool, relatively dry period promote floral induction.
🌿 Nutrition
During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Suculentas is recommended. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Floración to promote the development of the inflorescences.
This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technical square pot with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi.
9x9 cm pot
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