The Crassula Marginalis Rubra Variegata “Calico Kitten” comes from South Africa.
In benevolent climates, you can stay out all year.
The thin stems are covered with succulent thick and armored leaves.
They lack a petiole and emerge green in the central part and creamy the rest and then move to a reddish hue.
If the plant is exposed to the full sun its foliage intensifies the reddish tones, the same happens in the stems.
It grows well in containers given its moderate size, but you can also do it on the ground forming large carpeted areas of color.
It does not like the intense cold that can end it. if it is outside and there is a very bad winter it is better to place it in a sheltered area or even indoors.
Its development is not too dynamic, so it can be dilated a little until a matte of a certain size conforms.
Tips to take care of the Crassula marginalis rubra variegata “Calico Kitten”
Illumination
Located outside: The Crassula marginalis rubra variegata are grateful to be in the sun, so it is ideal to put the plant in full sun when it is planted in the extreme.
But it can also grow without any problem.
Located inside: as mentioned above, the Crassula marginalis rubra variegata likes direct sun, and for this reason, it is important that if the plant is inside, locate it in an area where it receives enough sunlight so that the succulent can have the best possible growth and grow very pretty
Substratum
Located outside: They prefer a poor soil of nutrients and organic matter and especially Crassula marginalis rubra variegata needs a porous substrate, that has excellent drainage and aeration. If you plant your Crassula marginalis rubra variegata directly in the garden, a specific substrate is not needed, as long as it is porous, has good drainage and low in nutrients:
Located in the interior: when we plant the Crassula marginalis rubra variegata in the interior if it is important to have a good substrate and with good drainage, since it does not receive direct sunlight the substrate takes longer to dry, and if the soil is kept very wet or With water pools, the roots of the plant can rot.
For this reason, cactus-specific substrates are the most suitable, since they also contain high doses of magnesium. You can also use a universal culture substrate mixed with pearlite in equal parts
Irrigation
Watering them in excess is the biggest mistake usually made with succulents.
Too much water, and above all, a caked and poorly drained substrate provide the appearance of fungi and the death of the plant.
From October to May they should be irrigated with a small amount of water, depending on the geographical area, weather, and rainfall.
Before watering it is essential to check that the substrate is dry.
Located outside: in summer and spring times it is important to pour enough water to the plant (especially in summer) since the substrate dries faster by heat.
But despite this it is important that between irrigation and irrigation, make sure that the substrate is completely dry. In winter and autumn times you have to be more careful when watering the plant, because the substrate takes longer to dry.
Therefore, you should not water the plant in excess, and leave the plant with the substrate completely dry before re-watering the plant, to avoid the appearance of fungi or root rot.
Located inside: if the Crassula marginalis rubra variegata is located inside it is ideal to water it until the excess water begins to flow out of the hole at the bottom of the pot.
Being located inside the substrate takes longer to dry, especially in winter, so it is not necessary to pour too much water when watering.
And as if it were located inside, you should expect that between irrigation and irrigation, the substrate will dry completely, especially in winter and autumn seasons.
Fertilizer
Succulents do not show great nutritional needs.
Only those that come in a pot can require fertilization, although always with care, and especially to stimulate the flowering of the succulent.
It is advisable to use specific fertilizers for cacti and succulents from March to September and always apply them on the moistened substrate, respecting the dose and frequency indicated on the package.
Temperature
Located outside: Crassula marginalis rubra variegata can withstand cold and weak frost up to -2 ° C, but being outside they need to be protected against hail.
Located inside: as mentioned above, the Crassula marginalis rubra variegata supports frost up to -2ºC.
As the plant is inside, there is no need to be careful with slush and frost, just do not locate the plant in places where it receives strong winds and thus prevents it from dying.
Diseases
Regardless of whether the plant is inside or outside, the greatest threat of plant disease comes from excess water in the substrate and / or a humid, poorly ventilated and cold atmosphere, a lot of shade, also the plant can suffer burns in its leaves produced by the sun, excess of dryness and heat.
To avoid rot after rains it is advisable to treat them with Funcida Copper Cuper Plus (preventive) or Triadimenol 25% 20 CC Blangueta (systematic, preventive and curative). But this is only necessary if the plant is located outside.
Plantation or transplant
The best time to transplant Crassula marginalis rubra variegata is in spring. If the succulent plant is in a pot, it is important to change the pot every 2-3 years for a larger pot.
If the plant is planted directly in the garden, transplantation is not necessary.
If in the garden area where I plant the succulent plant, it is left without enough space to grow or the substrate is scarce, if it is good to transplant it to an area where the crassula rupestris can grow better.
Propagation
In general, each succulent leaf is capable of forming a new plant. That is why the best way to spread Crassula marginalis rubra variegata is by stem or leaf cuttings, and the best time to do so is in spring-summer.
Toxicity
Although there is not much information about the degree of toxicity of Crassula Rupestris, you should not be afraid, since Crassula Rupestris is not toxic to pets, so do not be afraid to plant this plant if you have a pet.