Crassula falcata - Air Plane Plant

Stunning. Why the name 'Air Plane Plant' ?

Rbtkew:

I think it's because the shape of the air plane-shaped leaves. Maybe? : > )

Yep, the leaves are shaped like propeller blades, or maybe airplane wings. Mine don't bloom until October, usually--tough to keep alive through the summer, too.

Tugbrethil:

These plants love heat...but not the type of heat you get in the lower elevations of Arizona. I would think it would burn up if it wasn't grown in semi-shade.

That's the only way we can do it, Delonix. And we have to practically let it shrivel, then, or it gets root rot.

Tugbrethil:

I don't understand why it would get root rot. Is because of poorly drained soil?

No, but for some reason, practically all of the Crassulas, Aeoniums, Sempervivums, and Sedums, and a selection of the Cotyledons and Echeverias become almost impossible to keep from rotting in the summer. My suspicion is that some enzyme involved in disease resistance becomes inactive when the temperature goes over 110 degrees. Folks in Tucson can't understand it either, but it's not just my experience. It seems to be at its worst when the nights go over 90 degrees. Go figure!

Tugbrethil:

Yes, I've read how extremely hot night temps can cause many negative issues with plants. Most plants are used to having lows below 82 degrees.

I know many of the native desert plants in CA and AZ go dormant in the height of summer to cope with the extreme heat.

One thing that I have noticed is that these succulents, and many other plants that suffer root rot in the summer here--Garden Sage, Jerusalem Sage, Lavender, Kangaroo Paw, etc.--are native to Mediterranean-type climates.

Tugbrethil:

It makes sense...Mediterranean-type climates don't have low temps above 90 degrees. : > )

Neither does most of the desert! we're suffering from severe "urban heat island" effect here.

Tugbrethil:

I know. I've seen lows temps close to 100 degrees in Phoenix and Palms Springs in the past. That's just absolutely, excessive sweltering heat. Yuck!!!

Mine is in bloom right now..bad luck though as it was snapped off at the base of the stem..and I stuck the blooming cutting in a pot. Still blooming!..

I love this plant! I had several in Mission San Jose, Fremont. It bloomed so well.

Its gets to be a good sized plant. Mine has always been runty. SO much,I didnt realize until seeing a big plant for sale at the Dry Garden how large they can get.
OR..do they have different full sizes?

I got one to grow to 3 ft tall in Fremont. It's a really nice flowering plant.