Crassula Tarantula: silvery hairy leaves in a small format

Your care table

The special feature lies on the leaf surface

Elongated grey-green leaves sit in pairs on compact shoots. Fine pale hairs make the surface appear silvery. This natural covering belongs to the plant and is not dust to polish away. Tarantula is traded as a horticultural Crassula form. A particular species is not added here without sufficient confirmation. Belonging to the stonecrop family explains the succulent build: leaves store water and bridge drier periods.

The offered young plant has small proportions

A 12 cm pot and approximately 15 cm total height are stated for the offer. This is a low young plant, not a tall woody shrub. The scene was therefore designed with a low leaf cushion. The coloured cover pot and furnishing serve as styling and are not automatically included. Hold the pot when transporting or moving. Pressure on leaf tips and rubbing the hairs can leave marks that do not simply disappear again.

Keep brightness and change sun exposure gently

A very bright position supports compact growth. Direct sun may suit after gradual acclimatisation; do not suddenly place in hot midday sun after shipping or prolonged shade. Unusually long loose new shoots may indicate insufficient light. A living-area position is possible if enough light actually reaches it. This succulent is less suited to a room’s dark depths. Keep as bright as possible and frost-free in winter.

Check first, then supply the whole root ball

Let compost dry noticeably between waterings. Then water onto compost until the root ball is supplied and remove excess from the cover pot. Many small daily sips keep the upper area unnecessarily continuously damp. Hairy leaves need no regular shower. Water markedly less often in cooler conditions and low winter light. Soft translucent leaves combined with wet compost suggest a different problem from slightly reduced firmness with a dry root ball.

Airy roots and restrained nutrients

A free-draining succulent mix with mineral components helps drying. When repotting, provide only moderately more space and choose drainage. A large reserve pot dries slower than the small plant uses water. Sparing feeding following product instructions suffices during active growth. Do not fertilise a bone-dry stressed root ball. If possible, loosen dust with a soft dry brush without rubbing off natural hairs.

Observe without constantly touching

Check shoot forks and leaf bases for mealybugs. Their cotton-like clusters differ from the even fine natural hairs. Initially separate suspicious plants and clarify the cause. Suitable healthy shoot cuttings may propagate after the cut surface dries; the small young plant need not immediately be pruned for this. No flowering or fixed final size is guaranteed. Position the ornamental plant so children and animals do not nibble its leaves.

One plant, several views

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