Any patio or porch will become the center of attention when decorated with a few succulents. With over a thousand species, the Crassulaceae family presents a huge range of succulents, from large treelike shrubs to tiny plants. While some members of the family produce stunning flowers, most of them are prized for their curious forms and highly decorative leaves.
No other succulent family, except perhaps the Cactus, has contributed with so many beautiful and familiar plants to our homes and gardens as the Crassulaceae or Orpine family. Crassula muscosa is a succulent plant belonging to the family Crassulaceae and to the genus Crassula.
As it became more and more popular worldwide, Crassula muscosa acquired several nicknames such as Crassula Watch Chain, Zipper Plant, Rattail Crassula, Lizard’s Tail, and Princess Pines. Read on to learn more about growing, planting, watering, and propagating Crassula muscosa.
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About Crassula Watch Chain
- Like most other Crassula species, Crassula Watch Chain is native to South Africa and Namibia. It grows in environments with a moderate degree of humidity, in well-drained soil such as cactus and succulent soil mix.
- Its scientific name comes from Latin and refers to its appearance: ‘crassus’ means thick and fleshy, describing the plant’s leaves appearance and ‘muscosus’ means “mossy”, describing the mossy appearance of this species. Lycopodioides derives from the Greek words “líkos” (wolf), “pódi” (foot).
- Crassula Watch Chain plants are eye-catching ornamental succulents, making beautiful decorations for both homes and offices. What’s more, thanks to their tiny size, you can place them in small spots (as long as they get enough light), such as your desk or a tight shelf. Also, it’s great for indoor rocky displays or dry, open-air terrariums.
- Crassula Muscosa is an invasive species and can be easily propagated from stem cuttings. If a stable temperature of 18-21°C (64-70°F) is maintained, with adequate brightness and humidity, the cutting will root and grow fast.
- These plants love to bask in sunny places, but they don’t like the scorching sun. We recommend placing your Crassula Watch Chain succulents in spots where they receive full sun in the morning and partial shade in the afternoon and the evening.
- Although they are easy to grow, these Crassula plants are very sensitive to mealybugs and fungal diseases. To protect your succulents from mealybugs, you must not overwater or over-fertilize them.
- If your Crassula Watch Chain already has mealybugs, remove them with cotton wool dipped in alcohol. To protect your Crassula Muscosa plant from fungal diseases, treat any segment you cut with fungicide.
- Crassula Muscosa isn’t considered a poisonous plant yet, but it’s better to keep this plant within a safe distance from small children and pets.

Crassula Watch Chain Features: An Overview
- Crassula Muscosa is a bushy perennial succulent with slender, branching stems and tiny, triangle-shaped, light green leaves that are densely packed around the stem.
- The 4 rows arrangement of overlapping leaves makes a square shape on every stem. The slightly woody stems of this succulent grow upwards initially, but after some time, when it becomes mature, it tends to bend over due to the weight of its leaves.
- Watch Chain Crassula grows as a compact bush with a size between 15 and 30 cm (6-12 inches) high and 18 and 25 cm (7-10 inches) wide.
- However, the size of this plant mostly depends on the amount of sunlight it receives: if you give it proper amounts of sunlight, it will develop very well.
- This succulent grows very slowly and can live for 14-15 years maximum.
- Watch Chain Crassula has 5-petalled star-shaped, tiny, beautiful flowers. Each stem produces various small yellow-green blooms.
- Crassula Muscosa doesn’t have a particularly attractive fragrance. Its flowers smell musty, especially after rainfall or after watering the plant. You might also notice a musty smell when you repot this succulent.
Crassula Muscosa Live Plant, from Amazon
Growing Crassula Watch Chain
Growing this small and charming succulent isn’t more complicated than it is to grow other similar succulents. Even if you are a novice gardener, you can take good care of your Crassula Watch Chain plant as long as you keep in mind a few essential caring tips.
First, consider the lighting needs of Crassula Muscosa plants. These plants prefer sunny spots but can also acclimatize well to partial shade. They don’t like the burning sun. Direct and intense sunlight can scorch the leaves of your delicate Crassula plant. It’s safest to avoid placing your plant in bright, direct sunlight.
On the other hand, the brighter the light, the more colorful and compact your plants will be! In time, you will surely find the perfect lighting balance.
We recommend keeping your Crassula somewhere it can get full sun in the morning (approximately 4-6 hours of light per day) and partial shade in the evening to protect it from getting scorched. If you notice that your plant stretching out, this means that it is not receiving enough light. Crassula Muscosa and other succulents tend to stretch out when they try to find more light.
Fertilizing Crassula Watch Chain
You don’t necessarily have to fertilize your Crassula Watch Chain plant but giving it more nutrients will help it grow healthy and encourage flowering. This type of plant consumes a lot of energy to bloom. So, feeding it with more nutrients will help supplement its needs during the flowering season.
It’s recommended to fertilize this succulent during its active growth season, which is during the spring and summer months. For best results, use a fertilizer mix for cacti and succulents.
A newly purchased or newly repotted Crassula doesn’t require fertilizer during the first year.

Planting Crassula Watch Chain
Like most succulents, Crassula Muscosa plants need well-draining soil because they dislike wet feet and are very sensitive to root rot. We recommend using soil that allows water to pass through it, such as a mixture of cactus soil with perlite or sand for added drainage.
Another essential aspect to keep in mind is the temperatures this plant thrives in. Crassula Muscosa prefers average summer temperatures, up to 21°C (70 °F). You need to protect your Crassula plant from freezing temperatures. The lowest temperature this plant can tolerate is 6°C (43°F). If you live in an area with chilly temperatures during the cold season, it’s best to plant your Crassula in a pot that you can bring indoors during the winter.
Tip: Crassula Watch Chain succulents are extremely adorable thanks to their unique shape and tiny sizes. So, you can use colorful pots to plant them. They will look wonderful!
Watering Crassula Watch Chain
As Crassula Muscosa is native to warm and rocky places, it doesn’t need a lot of water, especially during the winter.
It is best to water your succulent when you feel that the soil is very dry. But how can you know for sure that your Crassula Watch Chain needs watering? It easy! You can apply the two-inch rule. Place your finger 2 inch (5 cm) deep in the soil. If you feel that the soil is moist, you don’t need to water your plant. If the soil is dry, you can add more water.
When you water Watch Chain Crassulas, it’s better to avoid overwatering because it can quickly lead to root rot and other issues.
So, as a general rule, it’s better to underwater a Crassula than to overwater it.
It is worth mentioning that there really isn’t a specific schedule for when to water your Crassula plants. It all depends on the environment, the climate, the soil, and the humidity levels.
During the summer months, you might have to water your Crassula Muscosa as often as every 7-10 days. During the cold season, you should cut back on watering to once every 10-14 days.
If, by accident, you water your plant too much, don’t let it sit in water because this will lead to root rot and fungal diseases! Leave it for a few minutes until your plant absorbs as much water as it needs, and then pour off any excess water.

Propagating Crassula Watch Chain
Propagating these lovely succulents is as easy as it is to care for them. Like most succulents, Crassula Muscosa plants propagate via stem cuttings. They can also be propagated from leaves, but this might be a more time-consuming process than from stem cuttings.
Cut down the 2 cm stem from the plant as this is the ideal cutting size to grow a new Crassula plant.
Remove the stem from the mature plant and let it dry for a day so that the cut heals. Next, place it in a well-draining potting mix. Keep it away from direct sunlight and only water it every few days.
In about two weeks you should notice that the stem has grown its new root system. Once the root system is fully developed, you can water it once a week. As the plant grows, make sure you increase the amount of light it gets every day.
In Conclusion
Crassula succulents are, undoubtedly, among the most appreciated houseplants around the world. From their pleasant and easy-to-grow nature to their various sizes, shapes, and colors, these plants hold a special place in every gardener’s heart.
Crassula Watch Chain plants stand out because they have a unique appearance. They are easy to grow and care for, so they make a great addition to any succulent collection be it of a novice gardener or of an experienced one.
Now that you know how to grow and care for Crassula Muscosa succulents, all you have to do is add one to your collection. If there’s a small corner in your home or office that needs an adorable plant, bring this tiny and cute succulent in.
Are you growing Crassula Watch Chain succulents? Share your experience in the comments!