How to Plant, Grow, and Care for String of Buttons

Crassula perforata is an impressive-looking succulent that’s great for beginners. It comes in varying shades of green, blue, grey, and pink. The chunky, triangular leaves spiral around the stem, hence the common name string of buttons. Such a charming plant will elevate any space, including yours.

String of buttons is a versatile succulent. It’s commonly found in terrariums and rock gardens. Because of its sprawling nature, it also grows well as a ground cover and in hanging baskets. When planted outside, it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Hopefully, you’re considering growing Crassula perforata by now. So let’s learn all about the succulent that’s ‘cute as a button’.

What is String of Buttons?

Crassula perforata, also called pagoda plant or necklace vine, is a fast grower. It shoots up and out in the spring and fall and goes dormant in the summer. The stems clump and grow over other plants. They will even grow through neighboring bushes. 

When matured, your string of buttons might surprise you with some flowers in the spring. These small, star-shaped beauties grow in clusters of yellow, white, or pink. To increase the chances of flowering, give your plant a slight night and day temperature difference. It also needs a colder but above-freezing winter temperature.

Because it’s native to South Africa, Crassula perforata needs a warm climate. If you live in USDA Zones 9-11, you’re one of the lucky ones who can grow this plant outside year-round. If you live in a colder area, it makes a great houseplant too.

Types of Crassula Perforata

The Crassula genus has roughly 200 species. Many of these species share common names, such as string of buttons. Because of this, it can be tricky to track down exactly what you’re looking for. To help, here are two common varieties of the perforata species.

Crassula perforata ‘Variegata’

The ‘Variegata’ variety displays a myriad of colors from green to yellow to pink. Some have rainbow-esque edges and others are striped.

Crassula perforata ssp. kougaensis

This subspecies is pretty standard-looking. The leaves feature vibrant, reddish-pink edges. They’re also speckled with pink or white dots.

Crassula perforata vs Crassula conjuncta

Crassula perforata is frequently confused with Crassula conjuncta, which has slightly different leaves. Their care is similar, but we will only refer to the C. perforata species in this article.

Planting

These compact plants are typically grown in containers, either indoors or out. This allows those in colder climates to move the plant to a protected spot over winter. But if you live in a warmer USDA Zone (9 and above), you can plant them straight into the ground outdoors.

Choose a sunny position with well-draining soil. If you don’t have the right soil, amend with compost and sand before planting to improve drainage and soil structure. In containers, you can add perlite and sand to regular potting mix, or look for a specialized succulent and cacti potting mix.

Plant at the same depth the plant came in originally, as planting too deeply can lead to rot. Press down around the base to remove any air pockets and water after planting to settle the roots. Don’t overwater while your plant is establishing as they are prone to root rot.

How to Grow

The string of buttons plant has typical succulent needs. Once you get the hang of it, this low-maintenance plant is fairly easy to care for.

Light

Your necklace vine needs four to six hours of direct sun per day.

The more sun it gets, the more vibrant its color will be. However, direct sun and high heat can easily burn the leaves. Choose a spot that gets shade in the afternoons but is otherwise sunny. Another option is planting it where there is filtered or indirect light. If you’re growing this succulent indoors, choose a south-facing window.

Crassula perforata is sensitive to sudden light changes. When making any adjustments, always do so gradually so your plant can acclimate properly.

Water

It’s important not to overwater succulents, and Crassula perforata is no exception.

They don’t need lots of water because they store water in their leaves. Too much will make the succulent soft and mushy. On the other hand, if you underwater, the plant will droop and the leaves will shrivel.

Water this plant only when the soil is completely dry. If you’re not sure, don’t water it. Any kind of succulent is much better off being underwatered than overwatered.

Soil

Well-draining soil is an absolute must for Crassula perforata. If its roots are sitting in water, they can easily start to rot.

Store-bought cactus and succulent soil drains well. You can also mix perlite and sand into potting soil. Remember to periodically check that the soil is draining well. If it’s holding too much water, mix in more sand.

Necklace vine isn’t picky about pH levels, but grows best in slightly acidic soils.

Temperature & Humidity

Temperatures below freezing are usually too cold for Crassula perforata. If you’re growing indoors because of this, keep the temperature around 65-70°F (18-21°C) during the summer. In the winter, this plant prefers temperatures around 50°F (10°C).

String of buttons doesn’t like high humidity. To keep it happy, only water it at the roots and keep it in a well-ventilated space.

Fertilizing

Fertilizer isn’t required but will help with growth and flowering. If you choose to, use a half-strength liquid fertilizer once per month during the growing season. If your Crassula perforata is young, use a low-nitrogen fertilizer. Mature plants are fine with a balanced fertilizer.

Controlled-release succulent fertilizer is a good alternative to liquid. This should be applied only once at the beginning of the growing season.

Maintenance

String of buttons can be pruned for cosmetic reasons. When the flowers die, they leave behind long, woody stems that are easy to remove. You can also prune back the plant if it’s getting too large for your taste.

When pruning, make clean cuts with sterile clippers. Keep the area dry so it won’t grow bacteria while healing.

Repot your string of buttons when it outgrows its container. This succulent grows a few inches each year, so choose your pot size accordingly.

It’s recommended to repot in warm weather at the start of spring. This will ensure it has lots of space when the growing season starts.

If you find any rotting roots while repotting, trim them off and let the cuts dry before planting. Change the soil to one that drains better.

Propagation

Crassula perforata can be propagated from cuttings, division, and offsets.

Propagation from Cuttings

For stem cuttings, cut off the top inch or more of a healthy plant, then remove the bottom leaves so at least half an inch of the stem is bare.

For leaf cuttings, gently remove the leaves without leaving any part on the stem. Because necklace vine leaves grow in sets of two, you can gently twist them on the stem so they break off in one piece. Let the wounds on your cuttings dry out for a day or two. Once they’re ready, it’s time to plant.

Plant your cuttings in well-draining soil. Stem cuttings can simply be inserted in the soil. Leaf cuttings can be laid on top. Mist the cuttings with water and keep them out of direct sunlight until they’re rooted. Rooting hormone is optional but helpful. 

Once your cuttings are settled in, gradually increase the light they receive. Water them normally at least once a week until the plants are matured.

Propagation from Offsets

This method follows the same procedure as cuttings. Offsets are rosettes on long, thin stems that the plant sends out above ground. Cut them off an inch below the rosette.

Propagation by Divison

If your string of buttons is getting too large, you can literally split it in two.

Gently remove it from the soil and dust off the roots. You’ll see that this plant is a clump of many stems and roots. Break the plant in two with your hands or a sterile knife.

Replant in dry soil and don’t water for a few days. If the wounds don’t dry out, they can rot or get infected when watered.

Common Problems

Crassula perforata has its share of problems just like every other plant. That’s why preparedness and a sharp eye are vital for keeping your succulent happy and healthy.

Etiolation

Because succulents are valued for their plump and compact leaves, stretching can mess with their look. If your plant is starting to stretch, gradually move it to a sunnier spot. If the plant is already stretched more than you like, you can prune back the long stems.

Brown Spots

In the summer, you may find brown spots on the leaves. This is usually sunburn caused by too much heat and direct light.

If you adjust the plant’s location right away, the damage will likely be external only. Crassula perforata should be moved gradually so it can adjust to the light difference.

Drooping

Shriveled leaves and a drooping plant are symptoms of underwatering. Mushy, brown, or translucent leaves usually mean you overwatered. Adjust your watering and soil as needed.

Pests

Aphids are tiny pests in a variety of colors. You’ll usually find them on the underside of leaves. The honeydew they secrete can grow also black mold and attract ants.

If there’s a large number of aphids in one spot, you can simply prune the leaf. Insecticidal soap will also control them also.

Crassula perforata is also susceptible to vine weevil, a flightless black beetle. These pests are nocturnal, but the damage is clear during the day. You’ll see c-shaped holes and wilted, yellow leaves.

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth at the base of the plant to prevent them. Because vine weevil is fairly resistant to sprays, remove them manually at night.

Mealybugs are another pest to watch out for. These small, white bugs drain the sap from plants. Remove them with insecticidal soap. You can also attack them individually with a cotton swab dipped in 70% rubbing alcohol.

Diseases

Root rot is the most common threat to string of buttons. It usually starts at the roots when the succulent is overwatered. You may also see it in the stem and leaves. Rotted sections will turn brown or black and mushy.

Remove root rot by cutting off the infected sections. Let the wounds callous over before replanting in new, well-draining soil. After replanting, don’t water for a few days so it can recover.

If your pagoda plant’s roots are too rotted to save, take a cutting from the top to propagate. Then you’ll get a fresh start with this succulent.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

The adorable string of buttons is a great addition to indoor and outdoor gardens. Avoid the common problems and you should have no trouble keeping these succulents happy.