Crassula perforata, the String of Buttons, is a charming South African succulent whose triangular grey-green leaves are stacked in opposite pairs around the stem, appearing as though threaded onto it like beads. Leaf edges blush pink to red in bright light, adding lovely colour. Stems grow upright then sprawl and trail as they lengthen, making it ideal for hanging baskets and spilling over pot rims. Tiny pale-yellow flowers appear on slim stalks in the warm season. Fast, easy and drought-tolerant, this fun, sculptural succulent is a favourite for mixed arrangements and balcony gardens across India.
Specifications
| Family |
Crassulaceae |
| Native region |
South Africa |
| Mature height |
20-45 cm (sprawling) |
| Mature spread |
20-40 cm |
| Growth rate |
Fast |
| Foliage |
Triangular grey-green leaves stacked in pairs, pink-edged |
| Flower colour |
Pale yellow to white |
| Flower season |
Spring to summer |
| Climate zone |
Tropical to subtropical; frost-free |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Bright light with some direct sun for pink edges |
| Watering |
Soak-and-dry; water when soil is dry, less in winter |
| Soil / mix |
Gritty, fast-draining succulent mix |
| Temperature |
10-38 C; protect from frost |
| Humidity |
Low; tolerates dry air |
| Fertilizer |
Dilute feed once or twice in growing season |
| Pruning |
Trim leggy stems; cuttings reroot easily |
| Repotting |
Every 2 years in fresh gritty mix |
| Propagation |
Very easy from stem cuttings |
| Pests & problems |
Mealybugs; treat with neem oil |
| Toxicity / safety |
Mildly toxic if ingested; keep from pets |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
Perfect for hanging baskets, trailing pots, dish gardens and mixed succulent arrangements where its stacked, beaded stems add unique texture and cascade attractively.
Growing tips
In India give it bright light with morning sun to bring out pink leaf edges, use gritty soil, and keep it dry through the monsoon; pinch and replant leggy stems to keep it full.