Crassula Buddha's temple in pot

Credit: Stephen Boisvert

Young Crassula Buddha's temple in pot

Credit: Stephen Boisvert

Crassula Buddha's temple flowers

Credit: Dornenwolf

Crassula Buddha's temple top view

Credit: Nadiatalent

Crassula pyramidalis 'Buddha's Temple', the great jade pagoda

Some plants were born millions of years ago, in arid deserts or tropical jungles. Crassula 'Buddha's Temple' was born in 1959, in the laboratory of Myron Kimnach, a Californian botanist. A hybrid of Mini jade pagoda and Crassula perfoliata, the variety belongs to the Crassulaceae family.

How to recognize Crassula pyramidalis 'Buddha's Temple'?

Crassula pyramidalis 'Buddha's Temple' measures 15 to 30 centimetres in height. It is a succulent plant with erect stems. It produces numerous shoots at its base, which, after a few years, give it a bushy habit.

The dark green or brown leaves are covered with a thin white film. Oval or triangular, they grow interlocking. They form a four-sided column with a regular, geometric pattern.

Grown in the right conditions, Crassula pyramidalis 'Buddha's Temple' can flower at any time. Pink, rounded cyme-shaped flowers appear at the top of the stems. They give off a spicy fragrance.

The plant is toxic if ingested. If you adopt one, keep it out of the reach of pets and small children.

Our maintenance tips

Crassula 'Buddha's Temple are very slow-growing. So you won't have to take them home very often. But you will have to be patient to see new leaves appear!

Watering

Water only when the soil has completely dried out. Use room-temperature water with low calcium content, such as rainwater.

Water generously to allow the leaves to soak up the water. Make sure any excess water has drained away before replacing your Crassula 'Buddha's Temple. If necessary, remove any water that has accumulated in the saucer or planter.

Spray

Crassula 'Buddha's Temple grow in arid regions and do not like humidity. No need to spray them.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Crassula pyramidalis 'Buddha's Temple' to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Choose a pierced terracotta or plastic pot. The latter has the advantage of retaining moisture longer. Place a layer of clay balls at the bottom (about a quarter of the way up). Top up with special potting soil for cacti or fat plants. You can also mix ordinary substrate with sand or perlite.

Plant your succulent and tamp down to eliminate air pockets. Then water for the first time.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

You don't have to fertilize your plant to make it grow. However, if you want to stimulate its growth, you can give itfertilizer for cacti and succulents.

Plantation

Once the last spring frosts have passed, you can plant.

Crassula 'Buddha's Temple love light, but dread direct sunlight, especially in the hottest hours. To ensure that your plant gets plenty of light without damaging its foliage, choose a location with half-shade or bright indirect light.

Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball. Plant your Crassula 'Buddha's Temple and backfill.

Water withoutsoaking the soil to encourage rooting.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Remove a shoot. Use a clean, sharp knife if necessary.

Leave the young shoot to dry for 24 to 48 hours, until it has healed.

In a pierced terracotta pot, pour a bed of clay balls or gravel to optimize drainage.

Prepare a mixture of one-third potting soil, one-third garden soil and one-third sand. Pour it into your pot, on top of the drainage layer. Plant your cutting and tamp it down.

Place the pot in a room where the temperature is always above 18 degrees. The location should be bright and out of direct sunlight. You can, for example, place your cutting behind a curtained window.

To avoid drowning the roots, always check the condition of the substrate before watering: the surface must be dry.

Disease / Threat

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Crassulaceae - Crassulaceae
Type	Crassula - Crassula
Species	Mini jade pagoda - Crassula pyramidalis
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Sun
Substrat	Sandy soil
Planting method	In pots
Category	Succulent
Tags	Beginner Flowery Small pot Toxic
Origin	South Africa
Hardiness (USDA)	10a
Leaf color
Flower color