Crassula capitella thyrsiflora aka Shark's Tooth

Red Pagoda is considered an easy-care succulent. It follows standard Crassula cultivation: bright light, infrequent watering, and well-draining soil. The main pitfalls are overwatering and frost exposure below −1°C. Stem or leaf cuttings root readily for propagation.

Crassula capitella subsp. thyrsiflora grows to 15–40 cm in height. Stems can be erect or rambling and mat-forming. The subspecies thyrsiflora produces multiple pinkish-red rosettes stacked in a pagoda form along an unbranched spike inflorescence.

Red Pagoda cannot survive temperatures below 30°F (−1°C). The genus will tolerate a small degree of frost, but extremes of cold or heat lead to foliage loss. Rapid changes in soil moisture can also cause foliage edema.

Flowering is mostly biennial and occurs in summer. In cooler climates the plant should be brought indoors before frost, since it cannot survive below −1°C. Avoid rapid moisture fluctuations, which can trigger foliage edema on the leaves.

Flowers are small, white, and star-shaped, forming all around each thick upright stem. Flowering is biennial and occurs in summer. The inflorescence is an unbranched spike.

Notable cultivar names include 'Red Pagoda,' 'Pagoda Village,' and 'Red Shark Tooth.' The closely related subspecies corymbulosa is essentially an all-green form of Crassula capitella and prefers bright indirect light over the full sun favoured by thyrsiflora.

Red Pagoda is native to subtropical southern Africa (South Africa and Namibia) and can be grown outdoors year-round only in frost-free climates. It cannot survive temperatures below −1°C (30°F). In cooler regions it performs well as a container plant moved indoors before frost.

Crassulas, including Red Pagoda, are most commonly propagated by stem or leaf cuttings. Remove a healthy stem or leaf, allow the cut end to callous for a day or two, then place in well-draining succulent mix.

Shark's Tooth’s native range is South Africa.

Shark's Tooth does best in dry soil and should only be watered sparingly.

To keep your Shark's Tooth healthy, it's important to use a potting soil that won't retain too much moisture. A soil that drains well and contains perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition is ideal. Adding a few handfuls of perlite to regular cactus soil from the store is an easy way to create this type of soil mix.

Shark's Tooth requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Red Pagoda is always in the right place to thrive.

Shark's Tooth thrives in dry environments, but if you provide extra humidity or mist your plant, the lingering water on its leaves could create an ideal environment for certain fungal diseases.

The Shark's Tooth is characterized by its slow growth and doesn't need fertilization in addition to its potting soil. By renewing the soil in its pot once a year, it should have enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not from any fertilizers.

There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.