Exposure & location

Crassula tenelli appreciates abundant but filtered light. It tolerates full morning sun but prefers partial shade during the hottest hours. This adaptability makes it an ideal plant for bright interiors as well as sheltered balconies.

• Light: bright to partial shade, avoiding intense direct afternoon sun.
• Indoor location: east or west facing windowsill, bright living room or office.
• Outdoor location: terrace or balcony sheltered from the wind, from April to October.
• Temperature: between 15 and 28 °C, minimum 10 °C in winter.

Verdeia tip: the more it receives soft light, the more its foliage takes on silvery and velvety reflections with the most beautiful effect.

Watering & maintenance

Like all succulents, Crassula tenelli stores water in its thick leaves, allowing it to easily withstand missed waterings. It prefers dry soil between waterings and hates stagnant moisture.

• Watering: only when the substrate is dry, about every two weeks in summer, once a month in winter.
• Water: at room temperature, non-calcareous.
• Substrate: very draining (cactus soil, or light soil + sand/perlite).
• Maintenance: remove dry leaves at the base to stimulate new growth.
• Repotting: every two years, in spring, into a slightly larger pot.

Verdeia advice: if the leaves yellow or soften, it is often a sign of overwatering. Let the soil dry well before watering again.

Decor ideas & plant pairings

Crassula tenelli stands out with its sober and balanced look, perfect for creating modern and natural decor. Its soft texture and gray-green shades harmonize with raw materials and zen atmospheres.

• In a light planter cover, concrete, or matte ceramic for a clean Scandinavian style.
• In arrangement with other succulents (Echeveria, Haworthia, Aloe, Gasteria) for a contemporary mini-garden.
• On a desk, console, or shelf to add a discreet yet refined green touch.
• Ideal in an open terrarium for a zen and mineral atmosphere.

Verdeia decor tip: pair it with light pebbles or white gravel to highlight its silvery tones and velvety foliage.

Verdeia Tips

• Moderate watering: let the substrate dry completely between waterings.
• Stability: avoid moving it frequently; it adapts better to a fixed bright spot.
• Cleaning: dust the leaves with a soft brush to preserve their velvety appearance.
• Propagation: very simple — a leaf or stem cutting in dry substrate quickly takes root.
• Environment: avoid rooms that are too humid or poorly ventilated to prevent excess moisture.

Crassula tenelli embodies the discreet and lasting beauty of urban nature: a perfect balance between aesthetics, sobriety, and ease of care.

Technical characteristics

• Botanical name: Crassula tenelli
• Common name: Velvet Crassula / Miniature jade plant
• Family: Crassulaceae
• Origin: Southern Africa
• Plant type: Succulent plant
• Foliage: Bluish green, fleshy and slightly fuzzy
• Approximate height: 15 cm
• Pot diameter: 11 cm
• Maximum adult size: up to 25 cm
• Exposure: Bright light to partial shade
• Watering: Moderate, let the substrate dry between waterings
• Substrate: Well-draining (cactus soil or soil + sand mix)
• Care: Very easy
• Growth: Medium to slow
• Hardiness: Not hardy (min. 10 °C)
• Toxicity for animals: Non-toxic

Each Crassula is unique: its shade, density, and leaf arrangement change according to light and season, making it a living and evolving plant, as soothing as it is aesthetic.