Crassula obovata var. dregeana – Hairy Crassula

Crassula obovata var. dregeana is a succulent with erect or decumbent stems up to 12 inches (30 cm) long. The base of the plant is often woody and the leaves are fleshy and densely covered with adpressed and recurved hairs. 

Basal leaves are arranged in rosettes and are obovate to spathulate, with the lower surface convex and the upper surface usually flat. Upper leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and are obovate to elliptic, with the lower surface convex and the upper surface concave. 

The inflorescences are flat-topped cymes usually with 4 to 8, tubular flowers that have white or cream-coloured (rarely pink) petals.

Scientific Name
Crassula obovata var. dregeana (Harv.) Toelken

Common Names
Hairy Crassula

Synonyms
Crassula dregeana (basionym), Crassula longistyla, Crassula squamulosa, Sedum dregeanum

Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae 
Genus: Crassula

Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 10a to 11b: from 30 °F (−1.1 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Crassula are easy to grow, but they are susceptible to mealy bugs and fungal diseases. As with all succulents, overwatering is sure to be fatal, so err on the side of too dry rather than too wet.

 Never let your Crassula sit in water. If you water from beneath by letting the plant sit in a saucer of water, make sure to pour off any excess water after a few minutes.

Crassula are generally started by division, offsets or leaf cuttings. Plants can be easily propagated from a single leaf: sprout leaves by placing them into a succulent or cacti mix, then covering the dish until they sprout.

Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a succulent, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any cuts with a fungicide. 

Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot. Leave the plant dry for a week or so, then begin to water lightly to reduce the risk of root rot…