Watch chain

Watch chain key facts

Growing Difficulty

Beginner-friendly

Lifespan

Perennial; long-lived when renewed by cutting back

Size

15–30 cm tall, sprawling

Watering

Slow-release fertiliser about every two months in the growing season

Light & Placement

Grow it in sun outdoors during the growing season. Summer humidity makes lower leaves drop and the base turn brown, so move it to bright, airy shade in summer.

Watering

A spring–autumn grower. Water thoroughly when the pot dries during growth; at other times a light misting about once a month is enough.

Temperature & Overwintering

Fairly cold-tolerant but suffers when cold and wet together; bring it into a sunny room around mid-November.

Soil & Repotting

Root-bound plants stop growing and can die; repot every spring so the plant goes into summer in good condition.

Fertiliser

Give slow-release fertiliser about every two months in the growing season.

Propagation

Cuttings from growing shoots root very easily; even broken pieces scattered on soil will root. Cutting back also tidies an untidy plant.

About Watch chain

Watch chain (Crassula) is a hardy, beginner-friendly succulent with tiny triangular leaves wrapped around slender stems like a chain. It grows 15 to 30 cm tall and roots easily from broken stems. Learn how to choose and care for it.

7 things to know before growing Watch chain

1. 1A bright, airy spot

   Give it a bright, airy position. With enough light the leaves stay tight and compact, while too little light makes the stems stretch and spoils the dense, chain-like look. Indoors, choose a bright windowsill and turn the pot now and then so light reaches every side.

2. 2Water when dry

   Wait until the soil has dried out completely, then water thoroughly until it runs from the drainage hole. Because it stores water in its leaves, it does not need constantly moist soil, and overwatering can lead to root rot and stuffy, rotting growth. Water tends to collect between the tiny leaves, so pour it at the base of the plant.

3. 3Free-draining soil

   A ready-made succulent potting mix is the easy choice, and blending in akadama or pumice is a good way to improve drainage further. Pick a pot with a drainage hole. Its trailing habit also looks good in a shallow pot or a hanging planter.

4. 4Repotting and trimming

   A rootbound plant stops growing and can even die, so repot once a year in spring so it goes into summer in good shape. When the stems grow long and untidy, trim them back to a length you like, and new shoots will form along the sides to tidy the clump.

5. 5Summer and winter care

   Hot, humid summers can make the dense growth stuffy, so move it to a bright, airy spot in partial shade and water sparingly. In winter, keep it away from frost and freezing, in a bright place under the eaves or indoors, and let it stay on the dry side. In spring and autumn, give it plenty of light so it grows well.

6. 6Choosing a healthy plant

   Look for a plant whose leaves wrap the stems closely and have a healthy color and sheen. Widely spaced leaves can be a sign of stretching from too little light, and blackened leaves or soft stems are best avoided. Check the listing photos for how dense the growth is and how the base looks, and ask the grower if anything is unclear.

7. 7Propagating by cuttings

   This plant roots so readily that even broken or trimmed stems will grow roots. Let the cut end dry briefly, then set the cutting in clean, lightly moist soil and keep it in bright shade. Once it has rooted, switch to normal care and grow it on as a new plant.

Frequently asked questions about Watch chain

Q.Can a beginner grow it?

A.Yes, it is rated as beginner-friendly. If you give it good light and airflow and water only after the soil has dried, it is easy to grow, and it is tough enough to root even from broken stems.

Q.How big does it get?

A.It reaches about 15 to 30 cm in height and spreads outward as its stems trail. The slender stems branch freely and form a small, compact clump.

Q.Can I grow it indoors?

A.Yes, as long as it sits somewhere bright, such as a sunny windowsill. Too little light makes the stems stretch, so also pay attention to airflow, for example by putting it outdoors in the breeze from time to time.

Q.Can I propagate broken stems?

A.Yes, this hardy plant readily roots from broken stems. Let the cut end dry, set it in the soil, and keep it in bright shade.

Q.Can I keep it for many years?

A.Yes, it is a perennial and can be kept for a long time by cutting it back to renew the plant. When the stems get untidy or stretched, trim them, and you can use the cuttings to start fresh plants.

Handy Growing Tools for Watch chain

Learn more about Watch chain in the encyclopedia

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