Plate No. 46

Buddha's Temple

Crassula 'Buddha's Temple'

"A stacked pagoda in silvery grey"

Native to

A cultivated hybrid of South African species

Botanical illustration of Buddha's Temple — Crassula 'Buddha's Temple' — drawn from life

Identification

Is this your plant?

Compare these reference photographs to help identify a buddha's temple in your own collection.

Whole plant
A Buddha's Temple shown in full — overall shape and habit.
Leaf detail
Close-up of Buddha's Temple leaves — texture, color, and edges.
Flowers
Buddha's Temple in bloom — flower form and color.
Growth form
Buddha's Temple growing habit — stems, base, and offsets.

History

A brief account

Buddha’s Temple is a striking, tightly stacked crassula whose architectural columns look uncannily like the tiered roofs of a Buddhist temple. Raised by California grower Myron Kimnach in the 1950s from Crassula perfoliata var. minor and Crassula pyramidalis, it has long been admired for its sculptural form and orderly geometry. The plant’s neat stacking gives it a very deliberate, almost constructed appearance that makes it ideal for modern interiors and unusual displays. It is a wonderful example of how succulents can feel both sculptural and serene.

How to care for

Place Buddha's Temple according to its light needs: Bright indirect light with gentle direct sun. For watering, every two to three weeks in growth; dry in winter. For the potting medium, use very fast-draining mineral mix. Good drainage is essential: let surplus water escape freely and never leave the roots standing in a wet saucer. 10–28°C. Frost-tender. Check the compost before watering instead of following a rigid calendar, since light, temperature, pot size and season all affect how quickly it dries. During slower growth, reduce watering and wait longer between drinks.

How to propagate

Offsets from the base or careful stem cuttings. Propagation is most reliable during the plant's active growing season, when warmth and good light help new roots establish. Start with clean tools and healthy material, and keep the new plant in conditions appropriate for the parent. Where a cutting or division creates a wound, allow the surface to dry before planting unless the method calls for immediate rooting in water or moist mix. Once roots form and fresh growth appears, gradually move the young Buddha's Temple into its normal watering routine; excess moisture is especially risky while the root system is still small.

Cultivation

Quick tips for care & planting

Light: Bright indirect light with gentle direct sun.
Water: Every two to three weeks in growth; dry in winter.
Soil: Very fast-draining mineral mix.
Temperature: 10–28°C. Frost-tender.
Propagation: Offsets from the base or careful stem cuttings.