Crassula radicans

Crassula pubescens ssp. radicans, Globulea radicans, Crassula decumbens Thunb.

Red Carpet, Carpet Jade

Crassulaceae

Eastern Cape of South Africa

2"

2-3'

30° to 35°F; -1.1° to 1.7°C

High heat tolerance

Light shade in hottest inland locations in summer to full sun elsewhere

Very drought tolerant

None

This plant makes a great ground cover in warm climate dry gardens. Its red winter color is an asset to brighten up succulent and cactus gardens in cooler months. Low growing, it has the appearance of a more alpine plant especially when in bloom so it looks fantastic in rock gardens. As a bonus, it is not particular about soil types.

This plant is easily propagated and spread by taking stem or rooted cuttings and replanting them.

Occasional insect problems with scale, snails and slugs.

This is an easy-to-grow succulent ground cover with a dense, low growing habit and flat succulent leaves that are green in winter and turn red under the stress of full sun and drought. Plants spread by rooting at the leaf nodes forming a large carpet over time. Crassula radicans flowers mostly in late winter and early spring with attractive globe-shaped white to pink clusters held slightly above the low foliage on delicate red stems. The flowers attract bees and other helpful pollinators. Crassula radicans has been in cultivation since 1823 and is popular with collectors because of its foliage color and attractive flower clusters. The genus Crassula was named by Linnaeus in 1753 after the word 'crassus' meaning "thick" in reference to the thick plump leaves of most plants in the genus. 'Radicans' refers to "rooting" as the stems of this plant root as they grow along the ground.