Crassula pellucida f. variegata, commonly known as the Calico Kitten Plant, is a striking trailing succulent with small heart-shaped leaves that feature a beautiful variegation of pink, purple, creamy yellow, and green colors. The charming leaves are arranged in layers, creating long trails adorned with white flowers that bloom in late winter and spring, making it a very attractive plant. As the plant matures, the initially delicate stems transition to a woody texture, adding to its distinctive appearance.

Similar to many succulent plants, Calico Kitten plant is a manageable variety for inclusion in a plant collection. Nevertheless, successfully cultivating a robust and vibrant pink Calico Kitten plant requires understanding specific information and skills related to its care. If you're drawn to this lovely succulent and want to decorate your home with it, keep reading to learn more.

Sunlight and Location

I enjoy discussing sunlight and location together as they influence one another in the context of plant care. Calico Kitten plant requires bright sunlight to develop its characteristic pink or purple hues on the leaves. The ideal location for potted succulents indoors is by a south-facing window. When adequate sunlight is unavailable, particularly during winter, using a grow light can be an effective supplement.

What happens if you choose not to purchase a grow light? In that case, Calico Kitten plant will stretch towards any available light source, and the space between its layered leaves will become larger and looser. However, growing succulents should be a joyful and low-effort activity. If you don't mind a looser, pale green appearance, you can place this succulent in any indoor location as long as there is good air circulation.

I highly recommend growing Calico Kitten plant on your porch. I will explain my reasons in the "Pot Choose" section later. Cultivating Calico Kitten plant outdoors from spring to autumn will help the succulent thrive beautifully. However, be cautious of sunburn during the hot summer months. If you notice that a few leaves on the stems have brown or black marks, this indicates that the plant needs sun protection. In that case, provide it with shade or move it to a partially shaded area.

Water Needs

When the leaves of a Calico Kitten plant exhibit slight shriveling, this indicates a need for watering. To adequately hydrate the dry potting soil, one may utilize a long-necked watering can for top watering or opt for bottom watering techniques. It is crucial to understand that consistent regular watering may lead to loose growth and thinner leaves in the plant. To prevent overwatering and root rot, especially during the summer, keep an eye on the leaves and only water the plant when it shows signs of thirst. 

In the cold winter months, Calico Kitten plant enters a period of dormancy and requires much less water. Consequently, it's sufficient to water the plant once a month or once every two months.

Soil and Planter Pots Recommendation

Planting a Calico Kitten requires a loose, well-drained soil mix to ensure the plant's health. You can create your own succulent soil by mixing 1 part perlite with 2 parts standard soil. Alternatively, a ready-to-use succulent soil mix is available for purchase at garden nurseries. Both approaches are highly effective for supporting the growth of this plant.

When selecting planter pots for growing Calico Kitten plant, I highly recommend choosing a rectangular rail planter, specifically a deck rail planter with drainage holes. Calico Kitten plant features beautiful pink and purple colors and has a lovely trailing appearance, making it an attractive decoration for decks or porches. Additionally, they can serve as a charming addition to indoor tables.

For outdoor potted Calico Kitten plants, hanging planter pots with drainage holes are ideal for creating a vertical garden. Such configurations not only enhance aesthetic enjoyment but also facilitate effective plant care.

Pruning

Calico Kitten plant exhibits rapid growth during its active seasons. Appropriate pruning is essential to preserve its compact and aesthetically pleasing form while encouraging the development of abundant side stems and buds. 

Furthermore, in the summer, removing excess stems can enhance air circulation, reducing the risk of stem and root rot. Additionally, the pruned stems are suitable for propagation purposes.

Propagation

Stem Cuttings Propagation

The fastest and most effective method for propagating plants is through stem cuttings. You can trim the trailing stems and insert them back into the original planter to fill in any bare gaps. There's no need to wait two days for the cut ends to callus over as long as the potting soil is well-drained and the environment has cool ventilation, which is ideal for growing succulents. However, the standard stem cutting propagation is as follows:

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Cut off stem cuttings with disinfected scissors and ensure the cuttings are at least 2 inches.
2. Wait for 2 days till the cut ends heal. (Place the stem cuttings on a clean plate and move it to a bright but not harsh sunlight location.)
3. Prepare succulent soil mix by mixing regular garden soil with perlite in a ratio of 3:1. Prepare a planter of the proper size with drainage holes.
   
   
   
   
4. Mist a little water on the soil mix and fill the planter with the soil mix.
   
5. Insert the stem cuttings into the soil mix.
6. Move the plants to a bright location but not a direct sunlight location for the first week.
7. In the first two weeks, spray water on the potting mix daily.
   
   
   
   
8. After two weeks, the roots should be established. Then, move the plant to a location with more filtered sunlight and start watering the plants as mature succulents.
   

Leaf Propagation

Calico Kitten plant, like many other succulent varieties, can be propagated from leaves. However, for trailing varieties and smaller-leaved succulents, the most effective propagation method is through stem cuttings. Leaf propagation typically requires a longer duration and more effort. If you're still interested in leaf propagation, here's a complete guide.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Clean your fingers and gently pull off the tiny leaves from the stems.
2. Wait for 1-2 days till the wound is healed.
3. Prepare succulent soil mix by mixing regular garden soil with perlite in a ratio of 3:1. Prepare a shallow planter with drainage holes.
4. Mist a little water on the soil mix and fill the planter with the soil mix.
5. Place the leaves on the surface of the soil.
   
6. Move the plants to a bright location but not a direct sunlight location for the first month.
7. In the first month, spray water on the potting mix once daily.
8. When the small shoots or roots come out, add a thin layer of soil mix to cover the fresh roots and wait for the baby succulents to grow larger. During this period, reduce watering frequency properly, from once per day to once per two to three days, as long as the soil is not saggy. You can also introduce more sunlight exposure.

Pests Disease

Unfortunately, Calico Kitten plant is prone to attracting mealybugs and aphids. To deal with these pests, first isolate the infected succulents from other healthy plants. Then, please treat them with organic neem oil or a 70% alcohol spray several times over two weeks. Typically, these pests will decrease or even disappear. If they persist, remove the succulent from its original pot and disinfect both the pot and soil mix before replanting. Alternatively, you can use a new plant pot with fresh soil to grow succulents.

Remember to dilute the neem oil with warm water according to the instructions before applying it to the succulents. Additionally, it is advisable to use a precautionary spray before summer to help prevent infestations.

You may wonder: How to use neem oil as an organic insecticide?

Fertilizer and Repotting

Feeding your Calico Kitten plant during the spring or autumn—its active growing seasons—once every 1 to 2 months can promote faster and lusher growth. I highly recommend using a professional slow-release fertilizer specifically designed for succulents and cacti. To apply the fertilizer, sprinkle it on the surface of the potting soil and gently push it into the soil using your fingers or a stick.

Since most succulents have low fertilization requirements, feeding your plants two to three times during their active seasons is generally sufficient. Be cautious, as over-fertilization can lead to root burn and even death of the succulents. It's important to remember that live succulents and cacti initially grow in mountainous gaps, deserts, and poor soil areas. While their genetics and growth conditions have changed over time, succulents and cacti still thrive with minimal fertilizer, which helps them adapt to their environment and display their natural beauty.

Additionally, repotting your Calico Kitten plant yearly with a fresh ORGANIC cactus soil mix can meet its yearly growth requirements. Alternatively, mix some slow-release fertilizer into your regular succulent soil for effective results!

You may wonder: Why and how to repot succulents?

Temperature

Calico Kitten plant, being a soft succulent, is sensitive to frost and needs to be moved indoors or into a greenhouse during cold winter months when temperatures drop to 5°C (41°F). In the summer, when temperatures rise to 35°C (95°F), it is essential to provide shade for the succulents and to place them in a cooler, well-ventilated area.

Conclusion

Calico Kitten plant is a stunning variegated succulent known for its bushy and lush leaves. It requires very little maintenance and features beautiful pink variegated leaves, giving it a high ornamental appeal. With its trailing appearance, similar to many other Senecio succulents, the Calico Kitten truly stands out among Crassula succulents. 

Are you considering adding a bushy Calico Kitten plant to your home? If you would like to learn more or have any questions about this succulent, feel free to contact us or leave your comments on the blog. Happy gardening!