How often should I water it?

Water only when the soil has dried out completely.

Does it need direct sun?

It prefers bright, indirect light but can handle some direct morning sun.

Plant guide

String of Buttons.

Crassula perforata

Pronounced KRASS-yoo-luh per-for-AY-tuh

Concertina Plant — Photo by Tony Rebelo (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist

The String of Buttons is a charming succulent that looks like it is stacked on a string. It is a fantastic choice for sunny windowsills or rock gardens. You will love how its leaves spiral around the stem as it grows.

Another photo of String of Buttons — Photo by Sara Lovotti (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 10 to 21 days
Mature size: 30 to 45 cm tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to spring

Care

Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Watch for shriveling leaves which indicate the plant needs a drink. Ensure it gets plenty of light to keep the stems from stretching out.

Watering: Water only when the soil is completely dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems in spring to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes rootbound or the soil breaks down.
Soil: Well-draining cactus and succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 5 to 35°C
Humidity: 10 to 40%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Stunted growth despite proper care.
Soil drying out much faster than usual.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion should be avoided.
Pets: This plant is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep out of reach of small children as the stems are brittle and can be a choking hazard if broken into small pieces.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no known significant respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and may cause stomach upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Stacked triangular leaves
Leaves spiral around stem
Pale green with reddish edges
Small woody stems

Height: 0.15 to 0.45m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, yellow, red, evergreen
Flowers: white, yellow, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
EdemaUncommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Move to a frost-free location indoors or a greenhouse if temperatures drop below freezing. Keep the soil very dry during the winter months to prevent rot.
In containers: It thrives in containers, provided they have drainage holes and a well-draining succulent potting mix.

Stem cuttings

1. Snip a healthy stem section.
2. Allow the cut end to callous for two days.
3. Insert the calloused end into dry, well-draining soil.
4. Wait a week before lightly watering.

Group succulents with similar water needs to prevent rot in more thirsty companions.

Grows well with

Echeveria — They share similar water and light requirements.
Sedum — They provide a nice textural contrast in succulent gardens.

Similar species

Crassula rupestris — It has a similar stacked growth habit but with different leaf shapes.

Science

Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Crassula
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: South Africa
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native habitat.

It grows in rocky, well-drained soils in arid regions where it stores water in its leaves to survive long dry spells.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: container gardening, rock gardens, indoor decor

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9
Temperature: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water only when the soil has dried out completely.
Does it need direct sun?: It prefers bright, indirect light but can handle some direct morning sun.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Crassula comes from the Latin word crassus, meaning thick, referring to the succulent leaves. The species name perforata refers to the appearance of the stem passing through the leaves.

Good to know

It is commonly called string of buttons.
The leaves often develop a red edge when exposed to bright sunlight.
It is a popular choice for succulent arrangements due to its unique stacking habit.

Also in

Drought-tolerant plants

Keep your string of buttons growing

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.