Crassula pellucida subsp. marginalis

Crassula pellucida ssp. marginalis is a small South African succulent plant that forms a very dense ground cover in poor, sandy and rocky soils. Its tiny succulent leaves are green marginated with garnet or red depending on the exposure. They are accompanied by white flowering in autumn. Not very hardy, it is a plant that is easily grown in a pot to overwinter. Outdoors, in a coastal garden or protected from heavy frost, this discreet beauty works wonders above walls, in rockeries, on green roofs.  

Crassula pellucida ssp. marginalis is a succulent perennial of the family Crassulaceae. Most species of the genus are native to South Africa where they thrive in bright environments, in well-drained, light soils that remain dry during the winter season. This species requires little watering, as its fleshy leaves serve as storage during drier periods. Crassula pellucida ssp. marginalis is sometimes cultivated as an indoor plant, as it is susceptible to frost from - 2 to - 4° C. It is brought indoors, protected from frost, from the end of autumn onwards. 

Crassula pellucida ssp. marginalis is a highly branched plant with relatively slow growth. It reaches a height of about 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in), but spreads laterally through rooting stems that root at ground level. The brown stems bear numerous rosettes of small, pointed, fleshy, shiny, green leaves marginated with red. Flowering occurs in late summer or autumn. It takes the form of short flower stalks barely emerging from the foliage, bearing corymbs of tiny star-shaped white flowers, measuring approximately 5 mm (1in) in diameter.  

In mild coastal climates, it is possible to plant the Crassula pellucida ssp. marginalis in a rockery, above a wall, or on a well-drained slope, in the company of Cape Aster Felicia amelloides, Delospermas, and purslanes that appreciate the same conditions. Elsewhere, it can be planted in a beautiful pot, alone or paired with other succulent plants such as hens and chicks.