• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sublime Succulents
  • Welcome to Sublime Succulents
  • Care Guides
    • Watering
      • How to Water Succulents and Cacti: The Ultimate Guide
      • Is My Succulent Over or Under Watered: Knowing the Difference
      • How Long Can Succulents Go Without Water?
    • Light
      • Light and Sun for Succulents and Cacti: The Ultimate Guide
      • Grow Lights for Succulents – Best Indoor & Outdoor Use Guide
      • How to Grow Colorful Succulents
    • Soil
      • Soil for Succulents and Cacti: Ultimate Guide
      • Succulent Soil vs Gritty Mix: Which is Better?
      • 7 Best Succulent and Cactus Soils
      • Should I put gravel in the bottom of a pot?
    • Propagation
      • Succulent Propagation: The Ultimate Guide
      • How Often to Water Propagated Succulents to Encourage Growth
      • Water Propagation for Succulents – How to Avoid Root Rot Guide
    • Fertilizer
      • How and When to Fertilize Succulents
      • Best Liquid Fertilizer in 2022 (Our Reviews & Comparisons)
      • How Often Should I Give My Plant Nutrients?
    • Pots and Planters
      • How to Care for Succulents in Pots without Drainage Holes
      • Best Pots For Succulents in 2022 (Our Reviews & Comparisons)
      • Should Succulents Be Planted in the Ground or in Pots?
    • Beginners: Start Here
      • 7 Best Places to Buy Succulents Online 2022
      • Succulent Starter Pack
      • How to Identify Root Rot and Treat It
  • Shop Succulents
    • Accessories
    • Pots and Planters
    • Soil and Fertilizer
    • Books
    • Plants
    • Grow Lights
  • Succulent Types
    • Easy Beginner Succulents
    • Indoor Succulents
    • Succulents by Color
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Care
  • Beginners
  • Reviews
  • Sorting
  • Types
  • Beginner Buys
search icon
Homepage link
  • Care
  • Beginners
  • Reviews
  • Sorting
  • Types
  • Beginner Buys
×

Calico Kitten (Crassula Marginalis Rubra) Succulent Care Guide

Modified: Jul 11, 2022 by Tarah Schwartz · This post may contain affiliate links ·

The Crassula marginalis rubra is an exceptionally pretty succulent. It is also sometimes called the Calico Kitten. Its beautiful heart-shaped leaves make it quite unique.

Calico kitten succulent in a hanging pot.

The Crassula marginalis rubra is native to South Africa. They are not very hardy plants, and require quite a lot of care and nurturing. They are not fast growers, but, with the right care, will eventually get going and grow well. 

They love hanging down from their pots, rather than growing upright. They are ideal plants for hanging baskets, as they will come cascading down in a spectacular display of green, pink, and purple. 

Mountain crest garden's free mistery succulent with each order banner
Jump to:
  • Crassula Marginalis Rubra Appearance
  • Caring for the Crassula Marginalis Rubra
  • Light
  • Water
  • Temperature
  • Soil
  • Propagating Crassula Marginalis Rubra
  • Cuttings
  • Leaves
  • Common Problems
  • Pests
  • Sun Damage
  • Over-watering

Crassula Marginalis Rubra Appearance

Name:Crassula marginalis rubra
Soil:Cactus potting mix with perlite or coarse
Blooming:Spring
Light:Full to partial sun
Water:When the soil is completely dry
Propagation:Stem cutting and leaves

The Crassula marginalis rubra, or Calico kitten, grows wild, trailing along the ground and spreading out. In pots, they tend to hang over the sides, and make beautiful container plants.

The leaves are an interesting mix of colors, ranging from deep purple to numerous shades of pink, to green. They have an unusual heart shape, and the leaves are variegated. 

Calico Kitten close-up.

Buy it from:

  • Mountain Crest Gardens
  • Etsy
  • Amazon

The plant will flower towards the end of spring, into the start of summer. The flowers are small white blossoms that will appear on the tips of the branches.

The Crassula marginalis rubra is not a very tall plant. It will reach a maximum height of only about 6 inches.

See also
How Big Do Succulents Get - All Factors That Affect Size

Caring for the Crassula Marginalis Rubra

These plants are fairly delicate and are not tough and hardy. But with the right care and regular attention, they will flourish and give a magnificent display.

Light

The Crassula marginalis rubra needs full to partial sun in order to do well. If you are planting it in your garden, choose a spot that gets approximately 6 hours of direct sunlight every day.

If you have started your plant indoors, and then want to transfer it to the outdoors, you will need to introduce it to outdoor conditions very gradually. Take it out for short periods initially, gradually increasing the number of hours every day, until the plant is fully acclimatized to outdoor natural sunlight.

Calico kitten succulent top view.

If you want to grow these plants indoors, their favorite spot will be close to a window that gets direct sunlight for most of the day. They will not thrive if they do not get enough direct sunlight, but will shrivel and die.

At the same time, if they are exposed to very intense direct sunlight for too long, the heat may kill them. Keeping them happy with just the right amount of sunlight is a delicate balance. It is a good idea to watch them carefully, and if they look like they are starting to wilt, move them to a more shady spot for a while.

Bestseller No. 1
Calico Kitten | Crassula Pellucida Variegata, 4in Live Succulent Fully Rooted with Soil Mix, Rare House Plant for Home Indoor Holiday Wedding Garden Decor, DIY Projects, Party Favor Gift for Her
Calico Kitten | Crassula Pellucida Variegata, 4in Live Succulent Fully Rooted with Soil Mix, Rare House Plant for Home Indoor Holiday Wedding Garden Decor, DIY Projects, Party Favor Gift for Her
  • Strong Root System - Growing in our California farm, every succulent is carefully nurtured by gardener expert. Each succulent...
  • Easy to Care - Calico Kitten is a low maintance need plant which is easy to propagated from leaf or cuttings. Like most...
  • Ideal Decor & Gift - With beautiful leaves, Calico Kitten is a great choice as decorative houseplant by your home indoor....
Check Price on Amazon
Bestseller No. 2
USKC Live Succulent Cactus Plants (Two 2'Pot Set) (Crassula Pellucida Variegata / Calico Kitten)
USKC Live Succulent Cactus Plants (Two 2"Pot Set) (Crassula Pellucida Variegata / Calico Kitten)
  • Pot size2”
Check Price on Amazon

If you do not have a room that gets enough sunlight every day, it is possible to supplement natural sunlight with a grow light. A grow light can help to provide the light and warmth that your plant needs in order to thrive.

See also
String of Pearls Care Guide (Senecio rowleyanus)

Water

When first planting  Crassula marginalis rubra, the new plants will do best if the soil is kept mildly moist initially. However, once your plants are established, and you have healthy succulents growing, the Crassula marginalis rubra needs very little water. 

Watering should be done in moderation, and only at infrequent intervals. If you over-water, your plants will be at risk of being infested with fungal infections. 

Use pots with ample drainage holes at the bottom, and allow the water to drain completely. Do not let the plant sit in water for a long time, as this will cause it to rot. The best method of watering is to place the pot in a flat dish of water, and allow the plant to absorb the water through the holes in the bottom of the pot. But do not leave it to sit in deep water for too long.

Only water again once the plant and the soil are completely dry. Take care not to over-water.

Temperature

Hand holding Calico Kitten succulent.

The  Crassula marginalis rubra does not like very cold conditions. It will not survive heavy frost or extremely low temperatures.

This succulent likes heat, and if it gets too cold outdoors, especially overnight, it is better to bring your plants inside.

If you have cultivated  Crassula marginalis rubra as an indoor plant, try to keep them in a very warm room. They will do best if the temperature is kept constant, as they do not adapt well to drastic changes in temperature.

Soil

It is essential to have the right type of soil, as well as the right soil conditions, in order for your Crassula marginalis rubra to grow and flourish. Any of the following three blends will provide the right soil conditions for your plant. 

See also
Propagating String of Dolphins Ultimate Guide

The best soil is a combination of cactus potting mix, mixed with perlite. The ratio should be 2:1. The cactus potting mix will give the plant the nutrients it needs, while the perlite will ensure good drainage. 

Another good soil combination is to combine cactus potting mix with coarse sand, also in a 2:1 ratio. This will give you a sandy soil that will also nourish your plants while allowing sufficient drainage. 

The third option is to use a mix of all three of the above, ie: cactus potting mix, perlite, and coarse sand, in a ratio of 1:1:1. 

All of these components are readily available from your local nursery or gardening center.

Propagating Crassula Marginalis Rubra

Calico Kitten close-up.

There are a few ways to propagate these plants. The two that are usually the most successful are either to propagate from stem cuttings, or to propagate from leaves. 

Cuttings

To propagate a Crassula marginalis rubra from a cutting, it is necessary to cut the stem from a robust plant that looks healthy. Choose a plant that has plump, moist-looking leaves, rather than very dry leaves.

Once you have cut the stem, allow it to dry out for a couple of days. Once it is completely dry, you can accelerate the process, and ensure good growth, if you use some rooting hormone. Simply dip the cut stem in the rooting hormone. If you do not have any, you can leave out this step and it won't make a massive difference.

Put the stem cuttings in a pot of potting mix, and place it in a warm spot, but out of direct sunlight. 

See also
Notocactus Care Guide

Water every 4-5 days, or if the soil feels dry to the touch. After about two weeks you should see new root growth.

After 4-6 weeks, the roots should be growing well, and the plant should be developing. As the plant grows, you can start to increase the exposure to regular sunlight, and cut down on the frequency of watering.

Leaves

It is also possible to propagate Crassula marginalis rubra using a leaf. This is very easy to do, but it is advisable to use at least 3 or 4 leaves, because they may not all survive the process.

Remove a few healthy-looking leaves by twisting carefully, as close to the stem as possible.

Allow the leaves to dry out for 2-3 days.

Place some succulent potting mix in a small dish. Put the leaves into the potting mix, water a little, and cover the dish until the leaves begin to sprout. 

Once you see little shoots on the leaves, they can be transferred to a pot with some more potting mix, and cultivated using the method described above for cuttings. 

Common Problems

Calico Kitten close-up.

There are a few things that can be problematic when growing Crassula marginalis rubra. However, if you are vigilant and take the necessary precautions, you can prevent these problems from occurring. If they do occur, you can avoid too much damage if you deal with them promptly.

See Related Topic: Crassula Capitella Campfire Succulent Care Guide

Pests

The Crassula marginalis rubra can be prone to pests. The most common pests to affect these plants are mealy bugs and aphids. 

See also
Crassula Morgan's Beauty

The insects can be found on the underside of the leaves, so you need to be on the lookout for them and be careful not to miss them. If allowed to multiply, they will suck on the leaves, draining all the sap.

The best way to treat these bugs is by spraying the plants with an alcohol solution. If you dilute the alcohol slightly with water, it will prevent the plant from getting burnt by the alcohol.

Sun Damage

While these plants need sunlight in order to thrive, if you notice that the leaves are drying out and shriveling, that means that they have been over-exposed to direct sunlight. 

Remove the burnt leaves, and move the plant to a shadier spot for a few weeks.

Read Related Article: Crassula Calico Kitten Succulent Care Guide

Over-watering

If you see that the leaves are turning brown and looking limp and soggy, you are probably giving your plant too much water. The Crassula marginalis rubra does not need a lot of water. Too much water will cause the roots and the leaves to rot and develop fungus.

The best treatment for this is to reduce the amount of water and place the plant in a hot, sunny spot for a few days, and it should recover. 

Sources:

https://worldofsucculents.com/crassula-pellucida-marginalis-rubra/

https://garden.org/plants/view/147504/Calico-Kitten-Crassula-pellucida-subsp-marginalis-Variegata/

« Crassula Capitella Campfire Succulent Care Guide
Elephant Feed Plant Care Guide »

Sharing is caring!

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • WhatsApp

Primary Sidebar

Fun head-shaped succulent planter growing beautiful succulents.

Hi, I'm Patrick! Welcome to SublimeSucculents.com, your one-stop source for everything related to growing and enjoying succulents!

More about me →

Popular Guides

  • Female artist pianting terracotta pots.
    How to Paint a Terracotta Pot - Simple Step by Step Painting Guide
  • Three snake plants in pot near a window.
    49 Types of Snake Plant - Most Popular Sansevieria Varieties
  • Man holding tablet, online succulent buying concept.
    7 Best Places to Buy Succulents Online in 2023
  • Pots with drilled hole and a driller on a table.
    How to Drill Drainage Holes in Terracotta and Clay
  • Lizzard on the rock close-up.
    11 Succulents Safe for Reptiles
  • Indoor succulent plants in pots.
    21 Best Low Light Indoor Succulents - Dead-Easy to Grow Inside

Recent Posts

  • Kalanchoe Mother of Thousands growing in a pot.
    Kalanchoe Mother of Thousands Growing Guide (Mexican Hat Plant)
  • A tiny succulent with spikes growing in a pot.
    35 of Rarest Succulents in the World: Endangered, Expensive or Effortful 
  • A gardener holding a succulent hybrid in a pot.
    Succulent Nothogenera - Everything You Need to Know
  • Different varieties of succulents in pots indoor.
    Succulent Pots With Drainage That You Should Use

Pages

  • Privacy Policy
  • FAQs & About Me
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 · Sublime Succulents LLC.

801 shares
  • 779