Is it time for a new succulent adventure? We recommend getting the unique Crassula cv., commonly known as Buddha’s Temple.
Humans have always been fascinated with patterns and symmetry. Take a look at ancient pottery, weaving or architecture. Crassula cv. is another one of our magnificent creations, a man-made hybrid of Crassula pyramidalis and Crassula perfoliata v. falcata.
Resembling a Buddhist temple, this Crassula succulent has a perfectly symmetrical tower appearance that would please even the most pretentious succulent aficionado. Besides being a living sculpture, Crassula cv. is really easy to grow and care for.
Following the typical needs that most succulents have, Buddha’s Temple won’t give you much of a hassle. We are strong believers of nurture versus nature when it comes to our beloved houseplants. By following a few easy tips, you will be able to provide the perfect growing environment for your Buddha’s Temple succulent.
Want to find out more about how to grow and care for the incredible Buddha’s Temple? Keep on reading below!
About Crassula Buddha’s Temple
- Crassula is an extensive genus that contains about 350 species that range from perennials to annuals, woody to herbaceous, shrubs to small trees, and even groundcovers. Most of them are native to South Africa.
- Many Crasullas are small and fascinating, making them the perfect container plants: evergreen, low maintenance, and stunning. Some of the most famous cultivars include Crassula ovata, also known as the Jade Tree, Crassula perforata, and the hybrids Crassula Buddha’s Temple and Crassula Morgan’s beauty.
- Crassula cv. Buddha’s Temple was hybridized in 1959 by Myron Kimnach who was probably struck by divine inspiration. Since then, the new hybrid has become a sought-after plant by collectors all around the world.
- Besides being an outstanding plant that would make a great addition to any collection, Crassula ‘Buddha’s Temple’ fits perfectly in dish gardens or rockeries.
- This crassula forms a beautiful square columnar rosette of densely packed, overlapping leaves that turn up at the end making a perfect square. This reminds us of the roof details of a Buddhist temple that are slightly curved upwards.
- In fact, throughout Eastern Asia, you can see pagodas, towers with roofs curving upward at the division of each story. These usually serve as temples or memorials.
- Crassula cv. Buddha’s Temple is toxic to cats, dogs, and possibly other animals. If you have a furry friend, make sure they cannot reach it.
Crassula Buddha’s Temple Features: An Overview
- Crassula cv. Buddha’s Temple grows to a height of approximately 6 inches (15 cm), making it the perfect container plant.
- Its leaves are flat, soft, and silver-grey-green. The diameter of the leaf square can reach 1 inch (2,5 cm). The squares form columns and each column can grow other branches.
- On top of these perfect leaf columns, Buddha’s Temple will develop eye-catching spherical red, orange, or white flowers that turn pink. The flowers appear on mature plants in late winter to early spring.
- Crassula Buddha’s Temple has a powdery coating that is rubbed off by touch or water, so make sure to water it from below to prevent this.
- Crassula Buddha’s Temple is an evergreen perennial that can grow in Mediterranean, subtropical, or temperate climates in hardiness zone 9b to 11b. If you live in a cooler climate, consider potting your succulent so you can bring it indoors during winter.
Growing Crassula Buddha’s Temple
Growing Crassula cv. Buddha’s Temple is easy, but it can be quite tricky at first. If you are not aware of their specific care instructions, it is very likely to water it too often and end up with a rotting plant. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced succulent gardener, keep on reading to find out how to properly care for your Crassula ‘Buddha’s Temple’.
Depending on your climate, Crassulas can be either houseplants or indoor potted specimens. Low temperatures can kill these delicate plants, so make sure to bring them inside if the temperature drops below 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-1 °C). If it gets too hot, Crassulas will go dormant and their lower leaves will drop. Although they prefer low humidity, they can survive in humid climates as well.
- Tiny Buddha's Temple Succulents in 1" Pots.
- Water your crassula Buddha's Temple when the soil is mostly dry. Overwatering can lead to root rot, but the plant can also tolerate some drought.
- These are low-maintenance plants that don't require frequent fertilization. If you do fertilize, use a balanced succulent fertilizer every few months during the growing season.
- Crassula Buddha's Temple is a great plant for beginners and makes a great addition to any collection. It's also a great choice for small spaces like apartments and bedrooms.
- Grow Buddha's Temple Crassula in bright light, but avoid direct sun as it can scorch the leaves. If you don't have a bright windowsill, consider using a grow light.
- Thoughtful Gifts：Succulents make wonderful gifts for various occasions.
- Easy to care for: Succulents don't demand extensive maintenance, making them a versatile choice for different lifestyles.
- Stylish Home Decor：Succulent plants add character and creativity to your living space. Also let your creativity flow in crafting.
- Crassula Red Pagoda Shark Tooth, a small and compact succulent that's capable of growing 6 to 10 inches tall and 12 to 20 inches wide. It has some green, triangular, tightly-stacked leaves forming a pagoda shape and can blossom some white flowers during Summer. Each package contains one healthy 2 inches Crassula Red Pagoda Shark Tooth that will be carefully wrapped and shipped in a sturdy box to guarantee its safe arrival.
- Light | Full sun to partial shade.
- Soil | Porous and well-drained. Optimal pH is around 6.0 (slightly acidic).
- Water | Water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch, then let drain completely. Avoid letting water sit for too long in the soil to prevent rot and fungal diseases. Reduce watering in the winter.
- A unique succulent that would provide you with awe and marvel. Fantastic as a single potted specimen or as part of a mixed succulent pot!
Last update on 2024-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When it comes to light requirements, Crassula Buddha’s Temple is not much different from other succulents. Outdoor plants need some shade during the hottest summer days, so plant them in a location with plenty of morning sun and afternoon shade. Left in the afternoon full sun, the leaves can scald. If your garden becomes the ring of fire during afternoons, plant your Crassula in the shade of a building, bigger plant, or use an umbrella to shade it.
Indoor Crassulas can be placed close to a bright window that receives indirect light all day long, or direct sunlight for about 6 hours per day. A southern-facing window would be ideal for this species. Direct sunlight can be filtered through sheer curtains to prevent overexposure. If you don’t supply consistent light conditions, you will notice inconsistencies in the way the plant looks.
Planting Crassula Buddha’s Temple
One of the biggest issues with this plant is its weak, fibrous, root system. Because it is a man-made hybrid, it hasn’t had a lot of evolutionary time to establish itself. As the plant keeps getting bigger and bigger, the root system will struggle to keep up and supply appropriate moisture. So it turns out Buddha’s Temple doesn’t have such a strong foundation and might need a little bit of engineering help to anchor it into the soil. If your Temple is wobbly, you can use some large stones placed around the stem to keep it in place.
Both outdoor and indoor Crassula Buddha’s Temple plants like well-draining soil. A porous, dry potting mix that also has some organic material is ideal. You can use a cactus/succulent mix and add some extra peat moss to it. Outdoors, they will do just fine in sandy, rocky soil that is neutral to slightly acidic. However, extreme pH levels are unlikely to kill the plant.
You can repot your Crassula Buddha’s Temple right after you’ve purchased it if it’s not in bloom. Considering its shallow root system, the pot it comes in should be enough for another year or two before becoming too tight. Repotting every 2-3 years is recommended for young plants and every 4-5 years for mature plants. Make sure the pot has good drainage holes and empty the tray after each watering. Fertilize once per year in mid-spring when the plant starts actively growing.
Watering Crassula Buddha’s Temple
Buddha’s Temple is the type of succulent that is prone to root rot but also doesn’t like to go for a long time without water. Once you find the perfect balance, you will be rewarded with a beautiful, healthy plant. The best way to water this stunning Crassula is by using the soak and dry method, watering until the soil is soaked and then waiting for the soil to completely dry out again before the next watering.
In their natural habitat, succulents have infrequent access to water, and when it rains it’s usually heavy. This allows them to develop a strong, healthy root system and withstand long periods of drought. Avoid watering succulents with small amounts of water, as this will weaken their roots. Considering Crassula cv. Buddha’s Temple already has a weak root system, it is best to use only the soak and dry method.
During blooming season, Crassula cv. needs regular watering sessions once or twice per week, but only after the soil has completely dried. Apart from the blooming season, water once or twice every two weeks. After the growing season and during the cooler months, watering one time per month should be enough. Throughout winter, the plant is dormant and doesn’t need so much water.
Propagating Crassula Buddha’s Temple
The best way to propagate Buddha’s Temple is by seeds, leaf cuttings, or by offsets. However, propagating by seeds is recommended only if you cannot find a plant to purchase or get offsets from. Because it is a slow growing-succulent, growing a specimen from seeds will take a very long time. To propagate by seeds, simply sow the seeds during spring or summer in a well-draining succulent mix. In cooler climates, indoor propagation by seeds is recommended.
Mature Buddha’s Temple plants will produce small offsets around their base. For this propagation method, you will need a very sharp sterilized knife to prevent a fungal or bacterial infection. Cut the offset off and clean any soil from it. Next, allow it to callous for a day or two and then plant it in well-draining soil, watering regularly when the soil dries out.
Alternatively, you can propagate by leaf cuttings. Collect a leaf without leaving any parts of it on the stem. Let it callous for a couple of days and then place it in well-draining soil. Don’t forget to water if the soil gets dry!
In Conclusion
Crassula Buddha’s Temple is the kind of succulent that is sure to spark conversation when first seen. This unique plant was hybridized in 1959 by Myron Kimnach. Resembling a Buddhist temple, Crassula cv. has a perfectly symmetrical tower appearance.
If you want to add this living sculpture to your plant and succulent collection, there are a few key aspects you must keep in mind. Although it can tolerate mild frost, Crassula cv. loves heat and needs plenty of indirect light.
Watering should be done with caution, more during the growing season and less during cooler months. Like all succulents, Crassula Buddha’s Temple prefers well-draining soil. If you keep in mind these easy tips, you can grow a healthy plant and even propagate it.
Are you growing Crassula succulents? Share your experience in the comments below!
5 Comments
My Crassula Buddha’s Temple is almost 6″ tall. I would call it the leaning temple. It is indoors and I have had it about two years. I have it propped up against the plastic plant tag and toothpicks. I have it in the same pot as a different cactus that I do not know the name of it. I am not sure what else to do because they grow together well.
I’ve had mine almost 2 years and it looks the same as when I got it. Looks healthy, I have it on a shelf outside on the north side of house and gets no sun just indirect light.
Great information and informative news about this amazing succulent. I bought mine from Edinburgh Botanic Gardens in Scotland. It’s doing really well and I’ve potted it on this morning from it’s mini-sized pot to something a little larger. It is now 5 inches in height and leaning at a fairly steep angle! Have tried to stabilise it with grit and a wire frame which will be removed as soon as it is more upright.
Thanks for your blog and website.
Tony Murphy
I bought 2 about 2 years ago. One has grown about 2 inches and is looking a little lanky at the stem from the point of new growth. The other has grown by at least 6 inches and has begun to bend over. Should I support it with bamboo? What will happen if I let it grow without support?
Mine keeps dying from the base up. Any help would be appreciated.Have it in well draining soil.Thanks.