The Campfire Plant, scientifically known as Crassula capitella ‘Campfire’, is a vibrant succulent prized for its striking foliage. Its leaves display a captivating range from pale green to brilliant red, resembling flickering flames. This eye-catching succulent adds visual interest to indoor plant collections or outdoor gardens in suitable climates.
Essential Care for Your Campfire Plant
Light Requirements
The Campfire Plant thrives in bright, direct sunlight, which is essential for developing its vivid red coloration. Insufficient light results in the leaves remaining green, and the plant may exhibit leggy, stretched growth as it searches for more light. Providing at least four to six hours of direct sun daily encourages the most intense hues.
Watering Practices
It stores water in its fleshy leaves and stems, making it highly drought-tolerant. The “soak and dry” method is ideal: water thoroughly until it drains from the pot, then allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. Overwatering can lead to soft, mushy stems or root rot, which is often more detrimental than underwatering. During cooler winter months, reduce watering significantly as the plant enters a semi-dormant state.
Soil and Drainage
Well-draining soil is crucial for the Campfire Plant’s health, preventing waterlogging that can cause root rot. A specialized succulent or cactus mix is recommended, or you can create your own by amending regular potting soil with perlite, coarse sand, or pumice to enhance drainage. Ensuring the pot has drainage holes is equally important to allow excess water to escape.
Temperature and Humidity
The Campfire Plant prefers warm conditions, ideally thriving in temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C-29°C). While it can tolerate brief periods down to about 50°F (10°C), it is not frost-hardy and should be protected from temperatures below 30°F (-1.1°C) to prevent damage. It prefers drier air and can tolerate low to medium humidity, with high humidity potentially leading to leaf rot if combined with overwatering.
Ongoing Maintenance and Health
Fertilizing
Campfire Plants do not require heavy fertilization; they can thrive even in poorer soils. If you choose to fertilize, apply a diluted liquid fertilizer or a specialized cactus blend once during its active growing season, typically in spring or summer. Over-fertilization can harm the plant, so it is best to err on the side of caution. Avoid fertilizing during its dormant period in winter.
Pruning for Health and Shape
Pruning helps maintain the plant’s shape, encourages bushier growth, and removes any leggy or unhealthy stems. The best time to prune is during the growing season, cutting stems back to a lateral branch or removing dead or damaged parts. This practice promotes new growth and can also help support the plant’s structure.
Repotting
Campfire Plants generally prefer to be slightly root-bound and do not require frequent repotting. Repotting is typically needed only every couple of years, or when roots begin to emerge from the drainage holes, indicating the plant has outgrown its container. When repotting, select a pot only slightly larger than the current one and use fresh, well-draining succulent soil.
Propagating New Campfire Plants
Propagating Crassula capitella ‘Campfire’ is straightforward, primarily done through stem or leaf cuttings. For stem cuttings, snip a healthy branch using clean shears and allow the cut end to dry and form a callus for a few days to a week. Once calloused, plant the cutting in well-draining soil, just deep enough to stand upright, and water sparingly until roots develop. Leaf cuttings can also be used by gently twisting a healthy leaf from the main plant, allowing it to callus, and then laying it on top of moist, well-draining soil until new growth appears.
Common Issues and Solutions
Loss of vibrant red color and leggy growth indicate insufficient light. Move the plant to a brighter location with more direct sunlight to restore color and prevent stretching.
Soft, mushy stems or leaves signal overwatering or poor drainage, which can cause root rot. Reduce watering frequency and ensure well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes. Allowing the soil to dry out completely can sometimes resolve the issue if caught early. Pest infestations, such as mealybugs or aphids, can occur; these can be treated by isolating the plant and applying horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, or by dabbing affected areas with rubbing alcohol.