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Cactus SucculentConservatory Greenhouse

Crassula perfoliata var. falcata

airplane plant

A succulent evergreen subshrub to 1m in height, with sickle-shaped, bright grey-green leaves to 10cm in length, the blades lying vertically. Small scarlet, fragrant flowers are borne in flat clusters in late summer

Other common names

airplane propellers
propeller plant
see morescarlet paint brush
sickle plant
aeroplane propeller

Synonyms

Crassula falcata 'Rochea'
Crassula falcata

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Plant nurseries
3 suppliers

Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

North–facing or South–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Crassulaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Crassula can be succulent annuals, perennials, evergreen shrubs or sub-shrubs, with fleshy leaves and small, star-shaped or funnel-shaped flowers in a terminal cluster
Name status: Correct
Plant range: South Africa

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow under glass in a standard cactus compost, in bright, filtered light or full sun. When in growth feed every two or three weeks with a balanced liquid feed. Water moderately from spring to autumn, sparingly at other times. See houseplant cacti and succulent cultivation for further information

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 15 - 18°C in early spring or stem or leaf cuttings in spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs, vine weevil and aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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