Repotting guide

When & how to repot Crassula Capitella (Crassula capitella)

Also called red pagoda, campfire plant, sharks tooth.

More about crassula capitella

About Crassula Capitella

Crassula capitella · also called red pagoda, campfire plant · houseplant

Crassula capitella, the red pagoda or campfire plant, is a low South African succulent whose stacked, propeller-like leaves blaze from lime-green to fiery red in strong sun. It spreads into a fleshy mat, needs gritty fast-draining soil and minimal water, and bears spikes of small white flowers. Heat- and drought-tolerant, but toxic to pets.

Mature size: Grows only about 15-20 cm tall but spreads to 30-60 cm wide as a trailing, mat-forming groundcover.

Watch for — Overwatering and rot: The shallow roots and stems rot fast in wet soil. Let the gritty mix dry completely between waterings and reduce water in winter.

How to tell crassula capitella needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For crassula capitella, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot crassula capitella

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Crassula Capitella's growth habit — low, spreading succulent forming sprawling mats of stacked, triangular leaves on short stems. branches root where they touch soil and send up tall spikes of tiny white summer flowers. — sets the pace. Crassula capitella, the red pagoda or campfire plant, is a low South African succulent whose stacked, propeller-like leaves blaze from lime-green to fiery red in strong sun. It spreads into a fleshy mat, needs gritty fast-draining soil and minimal water, and bears spikes of small white flowers. Heat- and drought-tolerant, but toxic to pets.

What size pot to step crassula capitella up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Crassula Capitella stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot crassula capitella

Spring or summer, while crassula capitella is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting crassula capitella

Repot dry. Do not water crassula capitella for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty gritty, fast-draining succulent or cactus mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set crassula capitella at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep crassula capitella completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for crassula capitella

Crassula Capitella wants gritty, fast-draining succulent or cactus mix. Use a cactus/succulent mix amended with coarse sand, perlite or grit for very sharp drainage. A pot with drainage holes is essential; the shallow, spreading roots rot in wet, heavy soil. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting crassula capitella — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot crassula capitella?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for crassula capitella. Repot crassula capitella every 2–3 years into a snug pot of gritty, fast-draining succulent or cactus mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does crassula capitella need?

When is the best time of year to repot crassula capitella?

Should you water crassula capitella after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot crassula capitella into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise crassula capitella after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting crassula capitella. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.