Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 11:50 am
The crassula rupestris, also known as the baby necklace succulent, is a succulent plant that originates from South Africa. This plant is known for its thick stems and leaves, which are often bright green in color. The crassula also has pinkish flowers that emerge during the winter or early spring months.
Crassulas originate from cool climates and this one does not grow well in warm climates. The crassula rupestris is an easy plant to care for and it does not require a lot of light due to its thick leaves which can store water.
They are small plants with unusual leaves that appear as if they were cut into pieces and then sewn back together.
It’s habitat consists of rocky outcrops and sparse sandy areas, where it has been observed growing in the ground as well as on cliffs. Crassula rupestris is in the Crassulaceae family (which is known for its rock-dwelling plants), and just like its closely related relatives, it is also commonly called the Jade Plant. It has a stunning variegated leaf color (green with white or pink streaks) and produces yellow flowers in the summertime.
Origin and description
Crassula rupestris is a small succulent plant that is native to South Africa. and should not be grown outdoors in the United States. It will likely die during the winter months if it is left outside in temperate regions, so keep that in mind when you are buying one of these succulents. Speaking from personal experience, I have had a Rolex jade plant for about four years now (I live in Maryland), and it has never once bloomed or produced any seeds.
I’ve had to propagate it by taking cuttings of its leaves because the thing won’t survive outside in the ground during the coldest months, which is extremely frustrating.
The name Crassula rupestris literally translates as “rocky bark” (when you take out the Latin prefixes and suffixes), which is a perfect description of this plant’s natural environment.
There are many different varieties of Crassula rupestris. The most well-known variety is “Gollum Jade“, also known as “Hobbit Jade” or “Rolex Jade”, which can grow up to about a foot tall and has thick and succulent leaves. There are also dwarf varieties that are only around an inch or two in height, with thin leaves and small clusters of white flowers at their tops.
Crassula rupestris propagation
The crassula can be propagated by taking cuttings from the stems and leaves. The crassula will usually take root in a pot of well-draining soil with bright light but not direct sunlight or intense heat sources like fireplaces or heating vents in the winter months.
Cuttings taken off of stems and leaves are propagated by placing them into pots that have been filled with moistened soil and shaded from direct sunlight until they take root in their new home. This process should take anywhere between one day – three months depending on size, health, time of year, etcetera.
Cutting pieces may also be dipped in rooting hormone before being placed into the soil.
Crassula rupestris care
The baby necklace succulent prefers bright light but not direct sunlight or intense heat sources like fireplaces or heating vents in the winter months. The crassula prefers to be kept in a pot with well-draining soil.
The crassula is not usually picked up for hardiness, as it is very easy to grow and propagate from cuttings of the stems or leaves. It will need plenty of water during dry weather but can go weeks without watering during the winter.
Light Requirements
The crassula rupestris will appreciate four to six hours of sunlight from the east or west-facing window. Alternatively, you can use a grow light with at least two feet between the crassula and the bulb. Be sure not to expose your plant to any direct sun during peak summer months as crassulas tend to wilt when they’re over-exposed!
Note: This succulent does well in low light conditions but should be watered more often if it doesn’t get enough natural light.
Soil/potting mix
Soil requirements for crassula rupestris are not too fussy. This succulent plant does well in a mixture of sand and gritty soil, or cactus potting mix. It is tolerant to drought conditions but should be watered occasionally during hot summer months – if you forget about your crassula, it will let you know by wilting! The crassula can grow up to 12 inches tall with an equal spread.
In the wild this species usually grows on rocky outcrops, so make sure that there’s enough drainage at the bottom of your container to avoid root rot. If using a standard planter, bury partway into dirt or use stones as mulch around the base of the crassula to ensure drainage.
Watering
The crassula rupestris is a drought-tolerant plant. It should only need water every two weeks if the soil isn’t too dry, or monthly during hot summer months.
If your crassula starts to wilt then it might be time for more frequent watering! If planting in potting mix, make sure that you provide enough drainage so that there’s no standing water on top of the dirt when watered- this will cause root rot and kill off your crassula quickly!
- Keep an eye out for wilted leaves and signs of mold or fungus as these can indicate over-watering.
You can water crassulas only when they need it as this helps them avoid growing mold that leads to death for the plant at a quicker rate than if there was more frequent moisture provided. When crassulae require minimal attention from their owners, misting with cool filtered water once per week will suffice during winter months where the air is especially dry.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing crassulas is not necessary as they will grow just fine without it. If you do decide to fertilize, use a low-nitrogen fertilizer and dilute according to the instructions on the package. You should only fertilize your crassula during its dormancy period (November through March).
Temperature and humidity
The crassula rupestris is a hardy succulent plant that thrives in hot, dry climates. crassula rupestris needs bright light and indirect sunlight and temperatures between 18-30 degrees Celsius (64-86 Fahrenheit) to thrive. The crassula rupestris will not survive if the humidity level falls below 50%. Humidity levels should be increased by misting with water or placing it near humidifiers or showers.
Misting frequency depends on how often your crassula can tolerate moisture without wilting, but at a minimum, you should give your crassula one good spritz per week during the winter months when the air is especially dry.
Repotting baby necklace succulent
If crassula is pot-bound and the roots have filled up all of the soil in their current container, it may be time to repot. You can do this by removing crassula from its old pot with a gentle tug, then loosening any remaining excess soil around the roots before placing them into a new potting mixture.
The crassula will need a wide variety of well-drained media that allows for airflow between each layer including perlite, tree fern fibers, or coarse sand mix (medium grain). While you should avoid using garden soils as these are too heavy and wetter than what crassulas prefer, cactus/succulent mixes often work well if they’re supplemented with additional perlite or coarse sand.
You can also create your own crassula-specific soil by mixing in some cactus mix, potting soil, and a little bit of lime to avoid the pH being too high. Crassula rupestris will not thrive if it’s planted at a depth greater than two inches because they need light and air circulation.
It is important that you water crassulas only when they require it as this increases their chances of growing mold which results in death for the plant. When water needs are minimal, use a very heavy watering container so crassula receives more slow but deep soaking rather than quick showering (light sprinkling). Water should be allowed to drain out before planting back.
Growth rate
The crassula rupestris is a slow-growing succulent that can take up to six years before it reaches its full size.
This crassula has vigorous stems with fleshy leaves so if you’re looking for an indoor plant, crassula will need plenty of space and should be planted in containers at least 20 inches wide or more. It’s important not to overwater this plant because the soil needs time to dry out between watering sessions which increases the chances of root rot and mold problems.
For best results, make sure crassulas are placed where they get lots of natural light as well as supplemental artificial lighting during winter months when days are shorter. If your crassulae are located indoors near windowsills, they will need to be pruned and trimmed often so as not to grow taller than the windowsill. crassula should also be kept below 18 inches tall if it’s located outdoors or near high-traffic areas for safety reasons
Prunning
It’s important to prune crassula rupestris plants often so they don’t grow taller than 18 inches. crassulas that are left unattended will quickly become overgrown and may topple or be at risk of being trampled. When the time comes, cut off any dead foliage and flowering parts with a sharp pair of scissors in order to keep them healthy for as long as possible, dead crassula should not be kept around because they have an increased chance of harboring pests which could endanger surrounding flora if unchecked.
Hardiness zone
The crassula rupestris is hardy to zone 11.
Toxicity of the baby necklace succulent
The crassula rupestris is nontoxic to humans and pets.
Pests and diseases
The crassula rupestris is prone to spider mites, which can be controlled with soap spray. They are also susceptible to root rot and mildew when grown indoors.
Summary on crassula rupestris
The crassula rupestris is a popular plant with succulent enthusiasts because of its ability to thrive in dry climates while still needing water on occasion. They are tolerant plants that can survive in temperatures up to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) but only when watered infrequently, with adequate humidity levels maintained through spritzing and misting on a weekly basis during winter months.
Repotting crassulas every few years helps them avoid becoming pot bound which reduces their growth rate significantly, it takes six years to become fully grown. Crassula rupestris do best when they are watered infrequently and well-ventilated, but make sure the soil is allowed to dry out between watering sessions or you’ll increase the chances of mold.
As crassulas grow in size outdoors, pruning becomes necessary so they don’t exceed 18 inches tall.
