String of Buttons (Crassula perforata)

String of Buttons botanical diagram

About String of Buttons

String of Buttons (Crassula perforata) is grown for garden performance matched to its site needs. Expect full sun or partial sun, typically 0.3–0.61 m tall, low water once established.

Sun Full, Partial
Water Low
Height 1–2 ft (30–60 cm)
Spread 2–3 ft (60–90 cm)
Habit Succulent
Origin Cape Provinces, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, South Africa, Southern Africa [1]
Season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Hardiness Zones 9–12

Can String of Buttons take your winter? Type your ZIP below and compare it with Zones 9–12.

2023 USDA ZIP listings (PRISM / USDA-ARS). Find Your USDA Hardiness Zone · Official USDA map.

Is String of Buttons Right for Your Garden?

Best for

  • Mixed borders and general garden use
  • Dry gardens, gravel schemes, or water-restricted sites
  • Open, sunny positions with good air movement
  • Wildlife-friendly gardens — known to attract butterflies

Not recommended if

  • Permanently moist or boggy ground
  • Dense shade or north-facing walls

Trade-off to know

String of Buttons is tolerant once established, but needs consistent water in the first season. Drought tolerance builds slowly — expect 1–2 years before it can fend for itself in dry spells.

Growing Conditions for String of Buttons

Site checklist

  • Sun: full sun or partial sun
  • Soil drainage: Well Drained
  • Water: Low
  • Hardiness zones: 9, 10, 11, 12

Adjustments

  • Wrong light level is the most common cause of weak performance
  • Fix drainage before treating leaf symptoms

Shared growing steps for this plant’s group: How to Grow Jade Plant. Notes below stay specific to this plant.

How to Care for String of Buttons

Establishment

  1. Plant String of Buttons in a site matching its sun and drainage needs
  2. Water regularly until roots settle, then match watering to the plant’s need

Ongoing care

  • Mulch to buffer moisture swings
  • Remove dead or damaged growth in season
  • Avoid constant wet foliage where disease pressure is high

Diagnosing Problems with String of Buttons

SymptomLikely causeConfirming signAction
Leaves wilting or scorching at tips in dry weather Drought stress Soil dry 5+ cm deep; leaf tips brown and crisp, not soft Water String of Buttons deeply at the base once weekly in dry spells. Mulch around the root zone to retain moisture.
Sudden wilting on one branch while rest of plant looks healthy Root rot from poor drainage in one spot Affected branch has dark, mushy roots when gently uncovered Cut back affected branch to healthy wood. Improve drainage in that area before the next growing season.

Leaves wilting or scorching at tips in dry weather

Likely cause
Drought stress
Confirming sign
Soil dry 5+ cm deep; leaf tips brown and crisp, not soft
Action
Water String of Buttons deeply at the base once weekly in dry spells. Mulch around the root zone to retain moisture.

Sudden wilting on one branch while rest of plant looks healthy

Likely cause
Root rot from poor drainage in one spot
Confirming sign
Affected branch has dark, mushy roots when gently uncovered
Action
Cut back affected branch to healthy wood. Improve drainage in that area before the next growing season.
  • String of Buttons in the wild — habit
    Photo: Karen Eichholz / iNaturalist research-grade observations, CC BY 4.0. Source: GBIF 6184815776 Record
  • String of Buttons in the wild — habit, South Africa
    Photo: Karen Eichholz / iNaturalist research-grade observations, CC BY 4.0. Source: GBIF 6195331318 Record
  • String of Buttons in the wild — habit, South Africa
    Photo: Martjie Fia Fourie / iNaturalist research-grade observations, CC BY 4.0. Source: GBIF 6235930926 Record
  • String of Buttons in the wild — habit, New Zealand
    Photo: Jon Sullivan / iNaturalist research-grade observations, CC BY 4.0. Source: GBIF 6400629957 Record
  • String of Buttons in the wild — habit, South Africa
    Photo: Danie Palm / iNaturalist research-grade observations, CC BY 4.0. Source: GBIF 6452691853 Record
  • String of Buttons in the wild — habit, South Africa
    Photo: Karen Eichholz / iNaturalist research-grade observations, CC BY 4.0. Source: GBIF 6480949725 Record

String of Buttons FAQ

  1. Is String of Buttons easy to grow?

    String of Buttons is relatively undemanding once established, particularly in dry conditions. The most common mistakes are poor drainage and incorrect sun placement.

  2. How big does String of Buttons get?

    String of Buttons typically reaches 0.3–0.61 m. Final size depends on soil quality and available root space. Allow adequate spacing at planting — most plants reach their full spread within 5–10 years.

  3. How much sun does String of Buttons need?

    String of Buttons grows best in full sun or partial sun. Planting in the wrong light level is the single most common cause of poor performance. Check the aspect of your site before choosing a position.

  4. Does String of Buttons attract wildlife?

    String of Buttons is known to attract butterflies, hummingbirds. For maximum benefit, avoid deadheading all flowers — seed heads and spent blooms are often as valuable to wildlife as the flowers themselves.

What String of Buttons Symbolises

  • enduring
  • constant
  • steadfast
  • reliable

References

  1. [1] GBIF species distributions — Native range summarised from GBIF distribution records; locality noise filtered to country and macro-region terms. - https://www.gbif.org/species/7642067
  2. [2] NC State Extension - https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/crassula-perforata/

Taxonomic identifiers

  • https://www.gbif.org/species/7642067 (GBIF 7642067)

Plant details on Bosquelle are curated from published references and garden practice. Height, bloom time, hardiness, and look still shift with climate, soil, and care — use this profile as a reliable starting point, then check what local growers see in your area.