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Crassulaceae

Crassulaceae is a significant family of succulent plants widely recognized for their agricultural and ornamental value. These plants are characterized by their specialized ability to survive in arid environments, making them a preferred choice for sustainable landscaping and niche greenhouse farming.

Main sections

Echeveria67 Kalanchoe39 Echeveria23 Kalanchoe19 Dudleya10 Hylotelephium8 Houseleek5 Graptopetalum3 Cremnophila2 Graptopetalum2 Lenophyllum2 Crassulakalanchoe1
226 sections

What the section contains

Crassula pyramidalis Crassula pyramidalis Crassula rogersii Crassula rogersii Crassula sarcocaulis Crassula sarcocaulis Crassula sarmentosa Crassula sarmentosa Crassula saxifraga Crassula saxifraga Crassula schimperi Crassula schimperi Crassula sericea Crassula sericea Crassula setulosa Crassula setulosa Crassula sladenii Crassula sladenii Crassula socialis Crassula socialis Crassula tecta Crassula tecta Crassula tetragona Crassula tetragona Crassula thunbergiana Crassula thunbergiana Crassula tomentosa Crassula tomentosa Crassula umbella Crassula umbella Crassula undulata Crassula undulata Crassula vaillantii Crassula vaillantii Crassula volkensii Crassula volkensii Crassulakalanchoe Crassula x Kalanchoe 1 item Cremnophila Cremnophila 2 items Cretan stonecrop Sedum creticum Dark stonecrop Sedum atratum Dolomite houseleek Sempervivum dolomiticum Dudleya Dudleya 10 items Dwarf houseleek Sempervivum pumilum Echeveria Echeveria DC. 67 items Echeveria Echeveria 23 items English stonecrop Sedum anglicum Forster's stonecrop Petrosedum forsterianum Funck's houseleek Sempervivum funckii Glaucous stonecrop Sedum glaucophyllum Globe thistle Sempervivum globiferum Globe-bearing Jovibarba Jovibarba globifera Graptopetalum Graptopetalum Rose 3 items Graptopetalum Graptopetalum 2 items Hairy houseleek Sempervivum piliferum Hairy stonecrop Sedum villosum Hairy stonecrop Sedum hirsutum Hakone stonecrop Sedum hakonense High Houseleek Sempervivum altum Houseleek Sempervivum L. 5 items Hylotelephium Hylotelephium 8 items Hylotelephium anacampseros Hylotelephium anacampseros Hylotelephium caucasicum Hylotelephium caucasicum Hylotelephium erythrostictum Hylotelephium erythrostictum Hylotelephium ewersii Hylotelephium ewersii Hylotelephium pluricaule Hylotelephium pluricaule Hylotelephium ruprechtii Hylotelephium ruprechtii Hylotelephium telephioides Hylotelephium telephioides Hylotelephium-Orostachys Hylotelephium x Orostachys Jovibarba Jovibarba Kalanchoe Kalanchoe Adans. 19 items Kalanchoe Kalanchoe 39 items Large-flowered houseleek Sempervivum grandiflorum Lenophyllum Lenophyllum 2 items Lesser houseleek Sempervivum minus Limestone houseleek Sempervivum calcareum Lydian stonecrop Sedum lydium Mealy stonecrop Sedum farinosum Mexican stonecrop Sedum mexicanum

Crassulaceae

The native distribution of this family spans across arid and semi-arid regions of the world, including South Africa, Mexico, and the Mediterranean. Cultivation is currently practiced globally, ranging from large-scale specialized nurseries to small-scale agricultural projects focusing on water-efficient plant production.

Botanically, Crassulaceae species possess fleshy, succulent leaves and stems. A defining physiological feature is their Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), a specialized photosynthetic pathway that allows for high water-use efficiency by opening stomata for gas exchange only during the cooler nighttime hours.

Agrotechnical requirements prioritize well-draining, sandy or gravelly soil substrates with low organic matter content. Adequate light exposure is essential for maintaining plant health, while irrigation must be strictly controlled to prevent root decay. Over-fertilization should be avoided to prevent leggy growth patterns.

Economic uses of Crassulaceae include:

  • Production of medicinal botanical ingredients.
  • Commercial ornamental horticulture for drought-resistant gardens.
  • Use in green roofs and ecological restoration in arid climates.

Major pests and diseases include root rot caused by pathogens such as Phytophthora or Pythium, usually triggered by excessive irrigation. Common insect pests include mealybugs and spider mites, which can be managed through regulated humidity levels and targeted applications of suitable pesticides or biological control agents.