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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops) |
| Origin: South Africa (Africa) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow Green |
| Bloomtime: Winter/Summer |
| Synonyms: [Crassula muscosa var. pseudolycopodiodes] |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: 1-2 feet |
| Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Crassula muscosa (Watch Chain) – This small succulent plant's interesting looks has been likened to that of undersea coral. It grows to 6 to 12 inches tall by a little wider with a spreading habit of branching stems having tightly overlapping stacked narrow light green leaves. These leaves completely hide the stems, which start off erect but then trail over from the weight of all of the leaves. The small pale yellowish-green musty-smelling flowers appear along with the leaves tight along the stems in spring to mid summer or other times after rains or irrigation. Plant in a well-drained soil in part to full coastal sun to light shade or indoors – best color maintained with a little shade even on the coast. Water sparingly or abundantly. This plant comes from diverse habitats and is widespread in South Africa from the winter rainfall area of the Western Cape to the summer rainfall areas of the Eastern Cape and north into Namibia and Lesotho (formerly Basutoland) though often growing only in well-drained rocky quartz fields. It is hardy to around 20°F but seems to resent being cold and wet at the same time. A great plant for adding a unique texture to a mixed planting or as a small scale ground cover in a well-drained mound or rock garden. We received this plant as Crassula muscosa var. pseudolycopodiodes but this name is listed as a synonym for the valid name of Crassula muscosa var. muscosa by Ernst van Jaarsveld author of the Crassula section in Urs Eggli's (editor) “Illustrated Handbook of Succulent Plants: Crassulaceae” (Springer, 2003). The most common of the common names for this plant is Watch Chain Plant for its delicate interlocking leaves that are much like the tight jewelers links that were used to attach a pocket watch to the vest. It is also called Clubmoss Crassula, Princess Pine and Rattail Crassula. The specific epithet 'muscosa' is Latin for "mossy", in reference to this plants moss-like looks. It has also been called Crassula lycopodioides which is in reference to the plant being like Lycopodium, a genus of clubmoss.
The information about Crassula muscosa displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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