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Crassula tecta
Ideally, place in a sunny location.
Water the substrate, always a few days after it has dried out. Reduce watering in winter.
It can withstand temperatures as low as -3.9 °C for short periods. However, the plant is not frost-resistant.
The leaves are densely covered with white papillae that scatter sunlight.
Crassula tecta is a small species of jade plant native to South Africa. In English it is often referred to as Lizard Skin Crassula, a name that accurately reflects the texture of its leaves. The species name tecta means “covered” or “hidden” and refers to the way the leaves overlap closely and cover one another.
The plant has thick, fleshy leaves of a gray-green color, densely covered with white, irregularly shaped papillae. These give it a matte, gray to whitish appearance and a distinctive surface texture. It is a small succulent that typically grows to a height of about 5 cm and often branches strongly from the base, forming low, compact clumps.
The flowers are small, cup-shaped, white with yellow stamens. They appear in summer and grow on thin stalks above the foliage, where they remain subtle but neat and delicate.
This succulent requires a bright position, a very well-draining substrate, and careful watering with thorough drying between waterings. Water should be directed into the soil rather than onto the leaves, as permanent spots may form on the leaf surface. With proper care, Crassula tecta retains its compact habit and characteristic stone-like appearance.