Cremnosedum ‘Little Gem’ is a hybrid plant and the only recognized species in this genus. It’s a cross between Cremnophila nutans and Sedum humifusum.
‘Little Gem’ is a low-growing succulent that produces a mat of small rosettes. This plant loves to grow in full sun. It produces small yellow flowers that grow on short stalks.
The tightly clustered leaves on this dwarf succulent are olive-green in color but they turn a coppery-red when the plant is grown in full sun. The stems on the plant are cherry-red in color.
This hardy little plant will grow well in almost any location as long as it gets plenty of bright light. It can even be grown in a roof garden or on a vertical wall. It’s the perfect plant for beginners as it requires no special care.
History
This cultivar was created by Mrs. and Mr. Robert Grim of San Jose, California. It was first published in the journal of the Cactus and Succulent Society of America in 1981.
Plant Facts
| Scientific name | Cremnosedum ‘Little Gem’ |
| Common names | Little gem Cremnosedum |
| Genus | Cremnosedum |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Height | 2 to 4 inches |
| Width | Will keep spreading outward |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zone | 8b to 10a |
| Origin | Both parent species are native to Mexico |
| Flower colors | Yellow |
| Blooming season | Late winter to early spring |
| Plant/Flower special features | Low grower and spreading |
How to Plant and Grow Cremnosedum ‘Little Gem’
This cute little succulent is ideal for growing in shallow pots in a warm spot indoors or as a groundcover in areas that don’t experience very cold winters. It’s also the perfect specimen to plant in a pot that sits on your patio or deck.
Due to its dwarf nature, this is also the perfect succulent for fairy gardens and terrariums.
How to Propagate Cremnosedum ‘Little Gem’
One of the easiest ways to propagate Little Gem is by using offsets. Just cut one of the offsets from the mother plant with a sharp knife. Leave this in a warm, dry spot for a few days until a callous has formed on the cut end.
Once this happens, pop the little offset into a small pot or propagation tray that you’ve filled with a good-quality succulent mix. Keep the soil moist but not wet until roots have formed.
Once the offset has rooted, plant it into a shallow pot filled with succulent mix and maintain the same way as the mother plant.
Care and Maintenance
Cremnosedum ‘Little Gem’ is surprisingly easy to look after, As long as you remember to provide enough light and only water when the soil is completely dry, this succulent will live happily in your home for many years.
Soil
Use an open, friable, and well-drained soil or potting medium. A succulent or cactus mix is ideal for this plant. Otherwise, you can mix equal parts of potting mix with equal parts of perlite to create a nice well-drained mix.
Water
This little succulent only requires watering when the soil is dry. Use the soak and dry method and your plant will be totally happy.
This method involves giving the plant a good soaking when the soil is completely dry. Then, make sure you let all the excess water drain away and never let the plant sit in water.
Let the soil dry out completely before giving the plant another soaking. You should water the plant less often in winter as it will be dormant.
Fertilizer
This plant doesn’t require any additional fertilizing if you’re using a good-quality potting mix. Once the plant has doubled in size, it will need to be repotted into a larger container with fresh potting mix.
If your succulent is growing outside, it should get all the nutrients that it needs from the soil. However, if your soil is really impoverished, you can apply a very small amount of slow-release fertilizer once a year.
Sunlight
This little succulent thrives in bright light. It should be placed on a south or west-facing window but make sure that the plant doesn’t receive direct sunlight through the glass as this may cause the leaves to burn.
This plant can tolerate growing in full sun or partial sun outdoors in areas that don’t get very cold winters.
Temperature and Humidity
This plant can tolerate temperatures as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius)
Pruning
This succulent does not require any regular pruning. However, because it grows relatively fast, you might find it spreading at a rapid pace. If it threatens to overgrow the pot that it’s growing in, you can either repot it into a larger pot or trim some of the rosettes back a little to contain the growth.
Pest and diseases
Little Gem is not prone to any pests or diseases except root rot which can be prevented with correct watering.
Uses of Cremnosedum ‘Little Gem’
This succulent plant is grown for its ornamental value only.
Conclusion
Cremnosedum ‘Little Gem’ is a lovely dwarf succulent that is super easy to grow and is great for beginners. It requires minimal care and can also be easily propagated with the offsets that it produces.
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