Plant care
String of Buttonstemperature & humidity
Crassula perforata
More about string of buttons
Ideal temperature for string of buttons
Temperature kills fewer string of buttons plants than you'd think. What kills them is the micro-climate within a normal-temperature room — a leaf pressed against single-glazed winter glass, the hot dry updraft directly above a radiator, the cold blast from an AC vent. The thermostat reading at 15-27C (60-80F) is fine; the spot you put the plant in matters more. Below roughly 15°C growth pauses; cold beyond that pushes it into dormancy rather than killing it outright.
Cold tolerance & winter care
String of Buttons is comparatively hardy (USDA 9a-12b, RHS undefined). Within that range it tolerates a cold dormant spell outdoors; outside it, grow it in a container you can move under cover or overwinter in a cool but frost-free spot. Hardiness assumes an established plant in well-drained soil — a wet, cold root zone kills far more plants than cold air alone.
Humidity for string of buttons
String of Buttons sits happiest at around Low (around 30-50%) relative humidity. A succulent adapted to dry, arid conditions; average-to-low household humidity suits it perfectly. Avoid humid, stagnant air, which encourages rot and fungal problems. No misting needed. The usual low-humidity tell is crisp brown leaf tips and edges while the soil moisture is fine — a sign the air, not the watering, is the problem. If you need to raise it, the reliable methods are grouping plants together, standing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (the pot above the waterline, never in it), or running a small humidifier in winter when indoor heating dries the air most. Misting is the least effective — it raises humidity for minutes, not hours.
String of Buttons temperature & humidity — frequently asked questions
What temperature is best for string of buttons?
String of Buttons grows best between 15-27C (60-80F). Keep it out of cold draughts, off freezing windowsills in winter, and away from the hot dry air directly above radiators — the extremes matter far more than the average room temperature.
How cold can string of buttons tolerate?
String of Buttons starts to suffer below roughly 15°C. It tolerates a cold dormant period within USDA 9a-12b, but a wet cold root zone is more dangerous than cold air.
What humidity does string of buttons need?
String of Buttons prefers about Low (around 30-50%) relative humidity. A succulent adapted to dry, arid conditions; average-to-low household humidity suits it perfectly. Avoid humid, stagnant air, which encourages rot and fungal problems. No misting needed.
How do I raise humidity for string of buttons?
Group it with other plants, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (kept above the waterline), or run a small humidifier in winter. Misting only helps for a few minutes, so it is the weakest option for a plant that genuinely needs more humidity.
Can string of buttons live outside?
String of Buttons is rated for USDA zone 9a-12b. Within that range it can stay outdoors; outside it, grow it in a moveable container and protect the roots from a wet, cold winter.
More string of buttons care
In the UK? Keeping string of buttons warm in a UK home covers the radiator, single-glazing and heating-season humidity angle. Temperature and humidity are one piece. See the full string of buttons care guide, its cold-hardiness guide, and watering schedule — humidity and watering problems are easy to confuse.