Crassula Umbella: A Guide to Buying and Caring for This Unique Succulent

With its umbrella-shaped rosettes and eye-catching foliage crassula umbella is gaining popularity among succulent lovers. Also known as the umbrella plant this unique South African native adds architectural flair to indoor and outdoor containers. If you’re looking to add a sculptural crassula umbella to your garden, here’s what to know about caring for and purchasing these quirky plants.

An Overview of Crassula Umbella

Crassula umbella is a petite succulent that forms circular clusters of fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves stacked in tiers. The dense rosettes resemble tiny open umbrellas giving rise to the common name. Mature plants spread 12-18 inches wide but remain under 12 inches tall.

In spring, crassula umbella sends up slender stalks topped with small white flowers. The blooms are nice but not the main attraction. This plant is prized for its symmetrical stacked foliage that resembles Chinese pagodas in miniature. The leaves range from deep green to reddish purple depending on sun exposure

Crassula umbella thrives outdoors in warm climates and makes a delightful container plant. It also grows well indoors near a sunny window. Provide sharp drainage and let the soil dry between waterings. Fertilize monthly during spring and summer. Prune leggy growth in early spring to maintain its tidy form.

Where to Buy Crassula Umbella

You can find crassula umbella plants for sale at many garden centers and nurseries, especially those carrying succulent selections. Purchase plants from reputable sources to ensure you get correctly identified varieties that are healthy, pest-free, and suitable for your climate.

Specialized succulent growers and online stores offer the widest variety of crassula umbella cultivars to choose from. Compare plant sizes, prices, shipping costs, and guarantees when buying online. Here are some top online sellers of umbrella plants:

• Succulent Market – This family-owned nursery offers excellent variety of 4-inch potted crassulas shipped direct.

• Etsy – Many Etsy shops sell hard-to-find crassula varieties at reasonable costs. Check reviews carefully.

• eBay – Individual eBay sellers market crassula umbella cuttings and starter plants, often from Asia. Quality varies.

Visit local garden shows and succulent society sales to look for interesting umbrella plant selections beyond the ordinary green. Rare varieties include those with purple, red, variegated, or crinkled leaves.

What to Look for When Buying

Examine plants closely before purchasing to pick out healthy, vigorous crassula umbella specimens:

• Compact, symmetrical rosettes with no leggy gaps
• Firm, turgid foliage without wrinkling or lesions
• Leaves are typical size, shape, and color for the variety
• No signs of pests like mealybugs or webbing
• Overall robust, vital appearance

Small starter plants establish better than overgrown, rootbound specimens. Avoid any plants showing damage, rot, or infestations. Seek out reputable sellers and check return policies for problem plants.

Caring for Crassula Umbella

Crassula umbella adapts well to typical indoor and outdoor growing conditions. Situate in a spot with several hours of bright sunlight daily. South or west-facing windowsills provide adequate indoor light. Outdoors, give some midday shade in hot climates.

Use a sandy, well-draining potting mix amended with perlite, lava rock, or granite grit. Add organic matter like compost or worm castings to support fertility. Umbrella plants grow fine in average room temperatures around 65-75°F.

Soak thoroughly when soil dries out, then allow pots to drain completely before watering again. These succulents store moisture in their leaves and rot easily with excessive wetness. Mist occasionally to boost humidity. Apply balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth periods.

Repot annually in spring, moving just one pot size up each time. Watch for mealybugs, scale, and fungal stem rot and treat promptly. Prune off spent flower stalks and any unwanted leggy growth. Protect from frost when growing outdoors.

Tips for Displaying Crassula Umbella

The unique umbrella shapes of crassula umbella make them ideal focal points for succulent dish gardens, mixed planters, and decorative containers. Here are some suggestions:

• Plant a cluster in a shallow bonsai pot or decorative bowl.

• Surround one with lower-growing succulents like echeveria and sedum.

• Repeat multiple mini umbrella plants down a window box.

• Contrast the rounded shapes against spiky cacti and pointy agave leaves.

• Let the pagoda foliage spill over a wall planter or hanging basket.

• Grow alongside aeonium, haworthia, and other architectural succulents.

• Display on sunny coffee and kitchen tables.

With its whimsical form, crassula umbella brings sculptural beauty wherever its planted. This charming plant is easy to integrate into all types of succulent gardens and containers. Follow proper care guidelines and you’ll enjoy this unique South African native for years to come.

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