Crassula aquatica
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Crassula aquatica

Water Pygmyweed · Pigmyweed · Aquatic Pygmyweed · Common Pygmyweed · River-leek

Tier 2 Difficulty: hard Water: high Light: partial_sun
Temperature
15–35 °C
0
Hardiness
Zone 7–10
Click count
25
Observations
5

Description

Source: leafsnap

Crassula aquatica is a succulent plant known by the common names water pygmyweed, common pygmyweed and just pigmyweed. It is an annual plant of salt marshes, vernal pools, wetlands, and other fresh to brackish water bodies. It is at least partially aquatic, living in areas which are submersed much of the time. It also lives along muddy banks and in tidally-active areas of estuaries.

Care Guide

💧 Water

Pigmyweed originates from wet environments and thrives in consistently moist conditions, preferring damp habitats. It needs to be watered weekly and exhibits moderate drought tolerance once established. Typically grown outdoors, pigmyweed flourishes in rain gardens, where natural rainfall helps recreate its native wetland conditions.

☀️ Light Partial sun

Pigmyweed comes from habitats with dappled light, like the understory of forests or rocky areas that offer natural shade. It prefers partial sun but is also capable of tolerating full sun.

Ideal: Partial sun
🌡️ Temperature 15–35°C

Although Pigmyweed can tolerate some heat, it mainly grows best in cooler seasons and becomes dormant in summer. In hot summer temperatures, provide shade to avoid scorching from strong sunlight. Watering should be reduced or stopped during the hottest period to prevent root rot. Pigmyweed grows vigorously in winter and spring. If temperatures do not fall too low, it will continue to grow steadily.

Ideal temperature: 15–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 0-0
Soil pH: 0-0
🌱 Fertilizer

For Pigmyweed, light applications of fertilizer once or twice a year during the growing season are adequate. Avoid fertilizing in winter and in summer when the plant is dormant. Reduce fertilizer for plants that have been repotted and wait a couple of months after repotting before you begin fertilizing. Fertilizing supports healthy growth and encourages blooms.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Pigmyweed is a small aquatic succulent with thin, thread-like leaves. For best results, prune it between early and late spring. Use clean tools to remove any dead leaves and to trim back overgrown stems. Regular pruning helps prevent overcrowding and disease, promoting healthy growth in both natural settings and garden environments.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Annual
Genus
Crassula
Family
Crassulaceae
Hardiness Zone
7-10
Mature Height
2 cm to 5 cm
Mature Spread
3 cm to 8 cm
Leaf Color
Light Green, Pale Green
Leaf Type
Semi-evergreen
Flower Color
White
Flower Size
0.10 cm to 0.20 cm
Bloom Time
Summer
Planting Time
Spring, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Native Area
Tajikistan, Sweden, Austria, Mexico, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Belarus, China, Russia, Norway, Germany, Kazakhstan, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, Japan, Mongolia, Finland, El Salvador, Ethiopia, South Korea, Latvia, Costa Rica

Tags (6)

Common Names (9)

en Water Pygmyweed
en Pigmyweed
en Aquatic Pygmyweed
en Common Pygmyweed
en River-leek
en Wrinkle-seed Pygmyweed
en Common pigmyweed
en Northern Water-stonecrop
en Water Pigmyweed