The Chinese Pagoda Plant, known botanically as Crassula capitella ‘Campfire’, is a succulent cherished for its distinctive and attractive appearance. Its unique structure of stacked leaves, often displaying fiery red tips, makes it a popular choice for succulent enthusiasts, offering a captivating visual element.
Identifying Your Chinese Pagoda Plant
This plant is a branching succulent recognized by its densely stacked, propeller-like leaves. These fleshy leaves are typically pale green but develop brilliant scarlet, orange, or yellow hues when exposed to bright light or cooler temperatures. The most intense coloration often appears during winter. Growing low to the ground, it spreads by producing runners, forming a colorful mat. In summer, the plant produces small, starry white flowers that emerge above the foliage.
Essential Care for Chinese Pagoda Plant
Light Needs
The Chinese Pagoda Plant thrives in abundant sunlight, preferring full sun to partial shade. Provide at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to achieve its vibrant red coloration. Insufficient light keeps leaves green and causes leggy, stretched growth.
Watering Practices
As a succulent, the Chinese Pagoda Plant requires careful watering to prevent root rot. Use the “soak and dry” method, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings before saturating it again. Overwatering can lead to mushy stems and root rot. Reduce watering significantly during cooler winter months.
Soil Requirements
Proper drainage is essential for this succulent. Use a well-draining soil mix, such as a commercial cactus or succulent blend. Enhance drainage by incorporating 50% to 70% mineral grit like coarse sand, pumice, or perlite. This prevents waterlogging and ensures adequate aeration.
Temperature and Humidity
The Chinese Pagoda Plant prefers warm growing conditions, with an optimal temperature range between 64 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 25 degrees Celsius). It is not tolerant of cold and will not survive hard frosts, especially temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.1 degrees Celsius). When grown indoors, it adapts well to average household humidity levels and does not require any special humidity considerations.
Fertilization
This succulent has minimal fertilization requirements. During its active growing season in spring and summer, apply a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can harm the plant. Refrain from fertilization entirely during dormant winter months.
Propagating Chinese Pagoda Plant
Propagating the Chinese Pagoda Plant is a straightforward process, primarily achieved through stem or leaf cuttings and by separating offsets. For stem cuttings, use a sharp, sterile knife or pair of scissors to remove a healthy stem. Allow the cut end to dry and form a callus for several days before planting it in well-draining soil. This callusing period prevents rot, and roots typically form within a few weeks.
Alternatively, you can propagate using individual leaves. Carefully twist a healthy leaf from the main stem, ensuring the entire base is intact. Let the leaf dry for two to three days to callus, then place it on top of well-draining potting soil. In a few weeks, tiny roots and new shoots should emerge from the base of the leaf. Offsets, or “pups,” that grow around the base of the parent plant can also be gently pulled away, allowed to callus, and then replanted directly into soil.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Loss of vibrant color and leggy, stretched growth are common issues indicating insufficient light. Gradually increase the plant’s exposure to bright sunlight to restore its characteristic hues and compact form. Pruning any elongated sections can also help.
Mushy stems or root rot signal overwatering and poor drainage. Ensure the soil dries completely between waterings and that the pot has adequate drainage holes. If severe, repotting into fresh, well-draining soil may be necessary. Conversely, shriveled leaves indicate underwatering, requiring more frequent watering when the soil is dry.
While generally resilient, the Chinese Pagoda Plant can occasionally encounter pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, or aphids. Regularly inspect the plant for signs like white cotton-like spots or webbing. Treat infestations by gently wiping affected areas with rubbing alcohol or applying a neem oil solution.