Tiger Jade Crassula (Crassula picturata) Indoor Care Tips, Propagation and Common Issues

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Botanical name: Crassula exilis subs. picturata
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Tiger Jade Crassula

Description

Crassula picturata commonly called Tiger Jade Crassula is a perennial succulent shrub with numerous stems on which are borne triangular, dark-green leaves with red spots and purple undersides.

Tiger Jade Crassula leaves are spirally arranged on the stem and usually develop a pinkish tinge in bright light or under direct sunlight.

Flower

Tiger Jade Succulent blooms from late summer to fall with white and pink flowers which have a musty honey-like fragrance. The flowers are borne on a tall, hairy, terminal flower-stalk.

Size

Tiger Jade Crassula grows to a height of about 1 ft and bears numerous plantlets at the base of the woody root stock which can be used to grow new plants.

Origin

Crassula picturata is native to Eastern Cape Province of South Africa where it is found growing in dense mats or cushions in crevices and soil pockets on vertical or steep rocks faces.

Toxicity

Crassula picturata (Tiger Jade Crassula) like its cousin, Jade Plant, is thought to be toxic to both humans and pets as outlined by ASPCA.

If ingested it can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Keep the plant away from the reach of children and pets.

Crassula picturata Care Indoors

Crassula picturata (Tiger Jade Crassula) blossoms in bright light with direct sunlight of at least 4-6 hours, average warmth and moderately moist, well-drained soil which is low in organic matter coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Tiger Jade Crassula has no need for extra humidity. Repotting is only needed when it becomes pot-bound or when the potting medium is completely broken down.

Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat, to reduce pest and disease infestations and to rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water Crassula picturata liberally during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings to avoid rotting.

Cut down on watering in the cold period as growth is minimal at this time, thus, the plant does not need a lot of water for growth.

Only use water that is at room temperature to water the plant to avoid plant shock as it can result in brown leaf spots and reduced growth.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is fast-draining to prevent the Crassula picturata from sitting in soggy soil as it can lead to rotting and death of the plant.

Take care not to wet the foliage to avoid fungal diseases or water from the bottom instead and always empty the bottom saucer (plate) once the plant has absorbed enough water.

Light Requirements

Crassula picturata requires bright light with at least 4-6 hours of morning or afternoon sunlight. Keep it away from hot direct sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Tiger Jade Crassula can be grown outdoors, however, gradually acclimate it and place it in a shaded place first to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and to prevent lopsided growth.

If the light is not enough, the plant will become leggy with elongated stems and pale undersized leaves.

Crassula picturata can also be grown under a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

Temperature and Humidity

Crassula picturata requires an average warmth between 15-26⁰C during the growing season and a minimum of 10⁰C in the cold season.

Keep Tiger Jade Crassula away from frost and cold drafts like breezy doors and windows, air conditioning units among others as they can cause the death of the plant.

Crassula picturata has no need for extra humidity. Average room humidity is ideal for this plant. Keep the leaves clean with a soft brush to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations.

Make sure that there is good air circulation for the Tiger Jade Crassula to prevent fungal disease infestations which are prevalent in damp, poorly aerated conditions.

Fertilizer

Crassula picturata is a slow grower, therefore, feed it monthly during the growing season with a Cactus and Succulents Fertilizer to boost growth.

Withhold feeding for Tiger Jade Crassula in the cold season as growth is reduced and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Crassula picturata should be coarse, low in organic matter and one that drains fast to prevent it from getting soggy. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out easily.

Cactus and Succulents soils like these Cactus and Succulents Mixes available online at Etsy are ideal for the Tiger Jade Crassula.

Repotting

Repot Crassula picturata at the beginning of the growing season only when it has become pot-bound or when the potting medium has completely broken down. Use a pot that is 1 size larger than the current one to avoid overpotting and retention of excess moisture.

Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to prevent root-rot and eventual loss of the plant.

Use a clay pot rather than a plastic or ceramic pot as a clay pot is porous and allows the soil to dry out faster to keep it from staying wet for too long.

Before repotting, ensure that the soil is dry. Take the Crassula picturata out of its pot and brush off soil from the roots. Snip off any dead or dry roots and treat the wounds with a fungicidal solution.

Position the plant in the center of its new pot and back fill with fresh, loose, fast-draining soil while spreading the roots as you fill the pot.

Do not fill the pot completely but allow about 1 in. unfilled for watering space.

Replace the plant to its display position and keep it dry for about 5-7 days to reduce the risk of rot-root disease.

Pruning

Pruning Crassula picturata is easy as it involves removal of any dead or diseased leaves to keep it neat and also minimize pest and disease infestations.

Snip the leaves at the base with a sterilized knife or pair of scissors to prevent diseases transmission.

Cut back the plant at the beginning of the growing season if it is has become too large and unruly to encourage a compact growth.

Minimize the number of cuts as much as possible to avoid unnecessary injuries to reduce fungal disease infestations.

Propagation

Crassula picturata (Tiger Jade Crassula) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from offsets, leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

How to propagate Crassula picturata from stem cuttings

Take 2-3 in. stem cuttings from a healthy Crassula picturata and allow the cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days.

Once callused, insert the lower cut end of the stem cuttings in moist, loose, fast-draining, rooting soil.

Position the set up in a well-lit, warm place away from direct sunlight to avoid cooking the cuttings.

Maintain the soil slightly moist until the stem cuttings are rooted. Rooting may take about 2-3 weeks.

Make sure that there is good air circulation to reduce the risk of fungal diseases infestations.

Allow enough time for substancial growth before transplanting the new Tiger Jade Crassula after which you can begin routine care.

How to propagate Crassula picturata from offsets

Carefully seperate the offset from the mother Crassula picturata by cutting with a clean, sharp knife while ensuring that the offset has adequate roots.

Pot the offset in its individual pot in moist, loose, fast-draining soil and place in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.

Ascertain that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases infestation.

Keep the soil slightly moist through out until the new Tiger Jade Crassula is well established after which you can begin routine care.

How to propagate Crassula picturata from leaf cuttings

Take leaf cuttings complete with the petiole from a healthy Crassula picturata. Allow the leaf cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.

Once calloussed, lay the leaf cutting on moist, fast-draining, rooting mix while ensuring that the cut end does not come into contact with the soil to prevent rotting.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaf cuttings.

Maintain the soil slight moist through out. Ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.

With time, the leaf cutting will form roots and eventually a small rosette will form at the base of the leaf cutting. This may take from 4-6 weeks.

Allow substancial growth of the rosette before transplanting the new Tiger Jade Crassula into individual pot after which routine care can begin.

Crassula picturata Common Problems

Crassula picturata (Tiger Jade Crassula) common issues include wilting leaves, leggy growth, leaf spots, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Leggy growth, yellowing and undersized leaves

Leggy growth, yellowing and undersized leaves in Crassula picturata is due to two possible reasons. One possible reason is overwatering or soggy soil in the cold season.

Significantly, lessen watering in the cold season as growth is reduced at this time, therefore, the plant does not need a much water.

In addition, ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy.

The second possible reason for leggy growth, yellowing and undersized leaves in Tiger Jade Crassula is too little light during the growing season.

Position the plant in bright light with at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight during the growing season or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.

Pests

Common pests in Crassula picturata are scale insects, mealy bugs and spider mites. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of houseplants.

Spray the plant with an Insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests. Make sure to cover the entire plant.

Diseases

Crassula picturata is also prone to powdery mildew and black leg disease which are prevalent in overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to other houseplants and treat it with Neem oil. Improve ventilation and make sure that there is good air circulation for the plant.

Water the Tiger Jade Crassula from the bottom to avoid wetting the rosette of leaves and always allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Do not let the plant sit in soggy soil; always empty the bottom saucer (plate) once the plant has absorbed enough water.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy.

Wilted, droopy leaves

Wilted Leaves in Crassula picturata are caused by underwatering which results in too little moisture in the soil. Therefore, the plant cannot get enough water to take up to the leaves which loss their turgidity and begin to wilt and droop.

To prevent wilting and droopy leaves, water the plant deeply during the growing season and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.

Reduce watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged period of time.

Brown soft leaf spots

Brown soft leaf spots in Crassula picturata are caused by leaf spot disease which is prevalent in poorly aerated, overdamp conditions.

Better the ventilation and make sure that there is good air circulation at all times. Also, water the Tiger Jade Crassula from the bottom to avoid wetting the leaves.