Crassula perforata · String of Buttons

The tall, narrow stems are lined with small, triangular, fleshy leaves arranged in opposite pairs that appear fused around the stem in a stacked, 'strung-together' pattern - a hallmark of Crassula perforata rather than the rejected Crassula ovata, which has thicker, oval, non-perfoliate leaves on stouter branches. The reddish-purple leaf margins and thin, wiry stems reaching upward also match C. perforata's typical growth habit. There is a separate, more compact rosette-forming succulent with pink/cream variegated leaves visible at the base of the pot (possibly a different Crassula or Cotyledon cultivar) that appears to be a second plant sharing the container rather than part of the same specimen. Similar species to rule out include Crassula rupestris (which has more rounded, less pointed leaf pairs and a chunkier stacked appearance) and Crassula pellucida - a closer photo of the leaf attachment point (to confirm the perfoliate/fused-base leaf pairs) and any flowers would help confirm the species with more certainty.

Generated 2026-08-15 00:43 by anthropic (claude-sonnet-5).

Light

Bright light including some direct sun; a south or east-facing window or bright greenhouse spot works well. Insufficient light causes leggy growth and poor coloration.

Water

Water deeply then let soil dry out completely, roughly every 2-3 weeks; cut back significantly in winter to monthly or less.

Nutrients

Feed with a diluted cactus/succulent fertilizer monthly during spring and summer growth; skip feeding in fall and winter.

Repotting

Repot every 2 years or when it outgrows its pot, ideally in spring; this species grows in a stacking chain-like pattern and can get top-heavy.

Soil media

Fast-draining cactus/succulent mix; add extra perlite or pumice for sharper drainage.

Temp & humidity

Prefers 65-80F with average to low humidity; tolerates brief cooler nights but protect from frost below 40F.

Temperature range

Not recorded

Humidity range

Not recorded

Care group

Not recorded

Toxicity

Mildly toxic if ingested by pets or people and may cause mild skin irritation; keep away from areas with heavy visitor or pet traffic.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free; watch for mealybugs in leaf crevices and root/stem rot from overwatering or poor drainage.

Propagation

Not recorded

Generated 2026-08-15 00:44 by anthropic (claude-sonnet-5).