Crassula capitella subs. thyrsiflora is a prolific and mat-forming perennials succulent with many branches of up to 0.4 m high when in flower (but often much smaller). The leaves are borne in rosettes and are sometimes neatly arranged in four ranks or sometimes in a spiral. They are bright green but may take on various brownish or reddish hues, especially when the plants become stressed through lack of water. It flowers at the ends of pagoda chains. The tiny flowers are white but occasionally tinged with pink, in a thyrse (long, spike-like cluster), gradually attenuated, decompound, 15- 25 cm in length. Once it finishes blooming, the plant falls apart and the individual leaves hit the ground and root, making new plants. It is the most complex of all the subspecies. It usually forms basal rosettes but may be decumbent, the leaves are acute-tipped, sepals glabrous, the petals usually have rounded appendages, styles are distinct and insignificant stigmas are terminal.
Stems: Herbaceous, round, terete, erect, a span (or more) high, smooth.
Leaves: Rosulate, perfoliate, often 4-ranked, 1.5-8 cm long, 0.5 - 1.8 cm broad, ovate, flattened, glabrous, green to bright purplish-red (dry exposed places), upper face slightly convex, flat to concave, lower face convex, margin entire to ciliate, tip acute. The brittle leaves shed easily and develop into new plants.
Inflorescences: Unbranched to branched with pedunculate dichasia.
Flowers: Sepals to 2.5 mm long. Petals oblong-obovate, mostly cream but occasionally tinged with pink, with a rounded dorsal appendage.
Blooming season: Flowers mid-summer to autumn.
Watering Needs: It is a dry-tolerant plant. Water regularly in the growing season, but avoid water-logging and let dry between waterings. Water with caution in winter, as the plant can lose its roots if the soil stays cold and wet for extended periods. The lower the temperature the less water is needed. If grown in a container, bottom watering by immersing the container is recommended. Mist spraying is not needed, it must have very dry atmosphere.
Sun Exposure: Does well in filtered sun, but can handle some shade, too. In shade the leaves color will remain more green, while in harsh full sun conditions the foliage can develop a pinkish tinge. In summer keep cool and provide some shelter from direct sun during the hottest hours. It can be sunburned if moved from shade/greenhouse into full sun too quickly. It tends to get leggy in deep shade.
Frost Tolerance: Protect from frost to prevent scarring. It requires a minimum temperature of about 5°C, but will take a light frost and is hardy down to -5° C for short periods if it is in dry soil. USDA zones 9A - 11. In areas prone to frost, grow in an intermediate greenhouse or conservatory, in pots. The plant may be kept indoors throughout the year at a minimum winter temperature of 10°C not exceeding 18°C. In summer, the temperature will rise higher, but as this is accompanied by better light it does not matter. In colder climates plant this in a container, so it can be moved into a protected area when cold.
Some of the information in this description has been found at desert-tropicals.com, llifle.com and cactus-art.biz