Crassula pyramidalis 'Buddha's Temple' (Pagoda Mini Jade)

Few succulents command the same kind of fascinated attention as Buddha's Temple. This hybrid, created by botanist Myron Kimnach in 1959 from a cross between Crassula pyramidalis and Crassula perfoliata, grows in tightly stacked, square columns of silver-grey leaves, each layer perfectly aligned with the last like a miniature pagoda carved from living stone. The columns typically reach about six inches tall and can branch from the sides to form a small sculptural cluster. Clusters of tiny pale pink flowers crown the top in spring and summer.

Buddha's Temple thrives on neglect in the right conditions. It wants bright light, fast-draining soil, and a thorough watering followed by a complete dry-out before the next. Overwatering is the main way to lose one. The leaves may flush reddish-brown at the tips when the plant experiences just the right amount of stress from drought and sun exposure, which collectors often consider a bonus rather than a problem.

This is a collector's plant and a conversation piece.