Airplane plant
Crassula falcata (Airplane plant) is a succulent plant from the Cape of Good Hope that grows to 2 feet tall with gray-green 4 inch long by 1 inch wide sickle-shaped leaves that are arranged in overlapping pairs along a usually un-branched stem. Tiny scarlet red flowers are massed together in very showy dense clusters that rise above foliage in mid- summer. The flowers open slowly and last for nearly a month when in full bloom. It is attractive and interesting when not in bloom but a real show stopper when the bright red flowers emerge. Plant does best in full sun to light shade in well-drained soil and requires very little irrigation in coastal gardens. It does need occasional irrigation in hotter inland climates and it is hardy to at least 20° F. Crassula falcata has long been grown as Rochea falcata and then Crassula falcata is now correctly named Crassula perfoliata var. minor though we continue to list is a Crassula falcata until such time as this name is better recognized. The genus Crassula is a Linnaean name first used in 1753 and comes from the Latin word 'crassus' meaning "thick" that refers to the thick plump leaves of many of the genus. The specific epithet is from the Latin word 'falcat' and means "sickle shaped" with reference to the long narrow re-curved leaves. These leaves radiate outward in opposite directions like wings, which gives the plant the common name "Airplane Plant". Another common name used for this plant is Scarlet Paintbrush, referring to the beautiful flowers. We sell this unique plant in 6” pots.