Crassula rupestris (Crassula Baby Necklace) Indoor Care, Propagation & Common Problems

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Crassula rupestris (Crassula Baby Necklace) grows best in bright light with some sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer.

Crassula Baby Necklace also called Rosary Vine, Kebab Bush, Concertina Plant or Rock Crassula is among the popular Crassula varieties whose thin stems are packed with thick, rounded-triangular leaves.

Rosary Vine is a highly branched succulent whose leaves start off grey-green and change to creamy-yellow with rose-red (reddish) margins in bright light. They resemeble a string of beads on a child's necklace hence the common name.

The species name, 'rupestris', is Latin for 'rocks or found on rocks' in reference to its natural growing habitat where it is found growing among the rocks. The common name, 'Rock Crassula' is due to this characteristic.

The red stems start off upright but with age, they begin to hang and spill over the sides of the pot placing it among the best succulent plants for a hanging basket.

Crassula rupestris is often mistaken for Crassula brevifolia (Crassula pearsonii) and Crassula perforata (String of Buttons) but it can distinguished by its smaller leaves with rose-red (reddish) edges under good light.

Botanical name: Crassula rupestris
Synonym: Crassula perfossa, Purgosea rupestris
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Crassula Baby Necklace, Rosary Vine, Baby's Necklace Vine, Bead Vine, Necklace Vine, Kebab Bush, Concertina Plant, Rock Crassula

Origin

Crassula rupestris also called Crassula perfossa or Purgosea rupestris is native to Cape provinces of South Africa and Namibia.

Size & Flower

Crassula Baby Necklace grows to a height of about 1 ft and 3 ft wide in about 5 years. It blooms in spring to summer although it is unlikely to flower when grown indoors. The flowers are small, star-shaped, pale-pink and occur in tight clusters at the stem apex. They are attractive to bees, moths and bumble bees.

Is Crassula rupestris toxic?

Yes. Crassula rupestris 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.

How to Care for Crassula rupestris Indoors

To care for Crassula rupestris indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 16-25⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer.

Crassula Baby Necklace repotting is only needed when 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.

Light Requirements

Does Crassula rupestris need sunlight?

Yes. Crassula rupestris needs bright light with at least 4-6 hours of morning or late afternoon sunlight. Keep it away from hot midday sunshine to avoid scorching the leaves.

If the light is not sufficient, the plant will become etiolated with elongated stems and yellowish leaves. Where the natural lighting is not adequate, you may use full spectrum grow lights to supplement it.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and to prevent lopsided growth.

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

Watering

How do you water Crassula rupestris?

Water Crassula rupestris deeply in spring and summer and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Take care not to overwater to avoid rotting, yellowing and leaf drop.

Reduce the amount and frequency of watering in fall and winter since growth is minimal at this time, thus, the plant does not need much water. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.

Use water that is at room temperature to prevent cold shock which can cause reduced growth, brown leaf spots and sudden leaf drop. Confirm that the water is free of chlorine and other dissolved chemicals to prevent browning of leaves.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is fast-draining to prevent waterlogging which can result in rotting.

Take care not to wet the foliage to avoid fungal diseases; water from the bottom instead. Discard the excess water from the catch plate to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Temperature & Humidity

Crassula rupestris prefers an average warmth of 16-25⁰C in spring and summer and a minimum of 4⁰C in fall and winter.

Keep the plant away from drafts coming from breezy doors and windows, AC units, heat sources, hot air vents among others as they can cause stunted growth, leaf loss and death of the plant.

Crassula Baby Necklace has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. Do not mist the leaves and maintain good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases which are prevalent in damp, poorly ventilated conditions.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Crassula rupestris should be coarse, low in organic matter and one that drains easily to prevent it from getting soggy. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out easily. Most Cactus and succulents mixes are ideal.

Fertilizer

Crassula rupestris is a light feeder, therefore, feed it monthly in spring and summer with a cactus and succulents fertilizer to encourage a lush growth.

Withhold feeding in fall and winter as growth is reduced and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn and eventual death of the plant.

Leach out excess salts every 2-3 months by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole. Let the water run for some time to get rid of most of the salts.

Repotting

Repot Crassula rupestris at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), only when pot-bound or when the potting medium is 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.

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. Take a look at these terracotta pots on Amazon.

Before repotting, ensure that the soil is dry. Slip the Crassula rupestris 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.

Place the plant in 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 to the brim but leave about 1 in. unfilled to allow for watering space.

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

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Crassula rupestris 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 clean pair of pruning scissors to prevent diseases transmission.

Cutback the plant at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), 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.

Clean the leaves regularly by splashing water on them to get rid of dust and also discourage pest and disease infestations.

Crassula rupestris Propagation

Crassula rupestris (Crassula Baby Necklace) is propagated from leaf cuttings, stem cuttings or offsets. The best time to propagate at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) for faster establishment.

1. Propagating Crassula rupestris from leaf cuttings

1. Take leaf cuttings complete with the petiole from a healthy plant.


2. Allow the leaf cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.


3. Fill a rooting container with a fast-draining soil and wet it slightly. Ensure the container has a drainage hole to avoid rotting.


4. When calloussed, lay the leaf cutting on moistsoil while ensuring that the cut end does not come into contact with the soil to prevent rotting.


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


6. Maintain the soil slightly moist through out and ensure that there is good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.


7. 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.


8. Allow substancial growth of the rosette before transplanting the new plant into its own pot after which you can begin routine care.

2. Propagating Crassula rupestris from stem cuttings

1. Take 3-5 inches stem cuttings from a healthy plant and allow the cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.


2. Fill a small pot with a fast-draining soil and moisten it slightly. Use a pot with a drainage hole to avoid rotting.


3. Once callused, insert 2-3 inches of the lower cut end of the stem cuttings in the moist soil.


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


5. Ensure good air circulation to discourage fungal diseases.


6. Maintain the soil slightly moist until the stem cuttings have rooted. Rooting may take upto 4 weeks.


7. Allow substancial growth before transplanting the new plant into a pot one size larger after which you can begin routine care.

3. Propagating Crassula rupestris from offsets

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


2. Fill a small pot one thirdway with a well-draining soil and moisten it slightly.


3. Position the offset in the center of the pot and continue to cover the roots with the soil while firming the soil lightly. Maintain the offset at the same soil level as it was in the previous pot.


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


5. Maintain good air circulation to discourage fungal diseases.


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

Crassula rupestris Problems & Remedies

Crassula rupestris (Crassula Baby Necklace) problems are plant dying, leaf drop, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Plant dying

Why is my Crassula rupestris dying?

Your Crassula rupestris is dying due to root-rot which is prevalent in soggy soil. The disease is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.

How to fix it

1. Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots; brown-black mushy roots indicate root-rot.


2. Trim the rotten roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as recommended by the manufacturer.


3. Repot the plant in fresh soil and a fresh pot. Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil to prevent it from getting soggy.


4. Position the plant in very bright light and stop watering for a few days to give the plant enough time to recover. After the dry period, resume routine care.

Leaf drop

Why is my Crassula rupestris dropping leaves?

Your Crassula rupestris is dropping leaves due to too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, drafts, use of cold water, nutrients deficiency, pest infestations, excessive touching or aging.

How to fix it

Too little light: Move the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or use a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil-ball to dry out completely.

Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.

Drafts: Keep the plant away from drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, hot air vents among others.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a cactus and succulents fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.

Use of cold water: Use water that is at room temperature to prevent cold shock.

Pest infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and carry out timely control measures.

Excessive touching: Keep the plant away from the line of traffic and avoid unnecessarily moving it around and take care when moving it.

Aging: This is a natural process. As the lower leaves mature, they turn yellow, brown and eventually drop off.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth on Crassula Baby Necklace is caused by insufficient light, underwatering or nutrients deficiency.

How to fix it

Insufficient light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.

Underwatering: Water when the top half of soil feels dry to the touch. Never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a cactus and succulents fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.

Pests

Common pests on Crassula rupestris are scale insects, mealybugs and spider mites which are prevalent in dry, stuffy conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants.


2. Treat the infested plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' instructions on the labels.


3. Regularly check underneath and between the leaves for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


4. Maintain the plant well pruned and elevate humidity to depress the pest infestations.

Diseases

Crassula rupestris is prone to leaf spot disease, powdery mildew and black leg disease which are prevalent in overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to the other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.


3. Maintain free air flow to discourage the diseases.


4. Water from the bottom to avoid wetting the leaves.


5. Always allow the soil to dry out between waterings.


6. Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil to prevent waterlogging.

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