Variegated Showy Trailing Jade (Crassula sarmentosa Variegata) Indoor Care & Propagation

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Variegated Showy Trailing Jade (Crassula sarmentosa Variegata) flourishes in bright light with some sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer.

Crassula sarmentosa Variegata is one of the popular Crassula varieties and bears trailing stems and mid-green leaves with golden yellow serrated edges.

Variegated Showy Trailing Jade is a much-branched succulent plant whose leaves are elliptic to lance-shaped. In bright light, the leaves are a brighter green with red highlights along the margins.

Crassula sarmentosa Variegata stems are reddish-pink to green mottled with white and are about 3.3 feet long placing this plant among the best succulent plants for a hanging basket or pedestal where it can display its beauty.

Botanical name: Crassula sarmentosa 'Variegata'
Synonym: Crassula sarmentosa 'Comet'
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Variegated Showy Trailing Jade

Origin

Crassula sarmentosa Variegata is a cultivar of Crassula sarmentosa which is native to South Africa along the eastern coastal belt where it is found growing in the semi-arid scrub and grasslands, on rocks or in ravines.

Flower

Variegated Showy Trailing Jade blooms in summer although it is unlikely to flower when grown indoors. The flowers are small, star-shaped, white or cream-colored and occur in terminal clusters.

Is Crassula sarmentosa Variegata toxic?

Yes. Crassula sarmentosa Variegata like its cousin, Jade Plant, is considered toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. If ingested it can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Keep the plant away from the reach of children and pets.

Where to Buy

If you would like to add this beauty to your collection, Crassula sarmentosa Variegata is available online on Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Crassula sarmentosa Variegata Indoors

To care for Crassula sarmentosa Variegata indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in spring and summer.

Variegated Showy Trailing Jade requires repotting is only needed when it is pot-bound. 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 provide them.

Watering

How do you water Crassula sarmentosa Variegata?

Water Crassula sarmentosa Variegata deeply in spring and summer and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf drop.

Decrease watering in fall and winter as growth is reduced and keep the soil barely moist. However, do not let the soil dry out completely to avoid wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.

Use room temperature water to avoid cold shock it as it can cause reduced growth and sudden leaf drop. Only use chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent browning of the leaves.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging of the soil which can lead to rotting.

Be careful not to wet the foliage to prevent fungal diseases; you may water from the bottom instead. Always discard excess water from the catch plate to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Light Requirements

Does Crassula sarmentosa Variegata need sunlight?

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

If the light is not sufficient, the plant will become leggy with elongated stems, wide spaces between the leaf nodes and small pale leaves. Where the natural lighting is not adequate, you may instal a full spectrum grow light to supplement it.

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

You may grow the Crassula sarmentosa Variegata outdoors, however, gradually acclimate it and place it in a shaded place to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Temperature & Humidity

Variegated Showy Trailing Jade prefers a warmth of 15-26⁰C in spring and summer and a minimum of 10⁰C in fall and winter.

Keep it away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, stoves, windy doors and windows among others as they can cause stunted growth, leaf loss and brown leaf spots.

Crassula sarmentosa Variegata has no need for extra humidity; an average humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. Do not mist the leaves and maintain good air circulation to prevent fungal disease infestations which are prevalent in damp, poorly aerated conditions.

Fertilizer

Variegated Showy Trailing Jade is not a heavy feeder, therefore, feed it monthly in spring and summer with a cactus and succulents fertilizer for a lush growth.

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

Regularly, leach out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole. Let it run for about 10 minutes to clear most of the salts.

Potting Mix

The best soil for Crassula sarmentosa Variegata should be loose, rich in organic matter and fast-draining 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 perfect for the plant.

Repotting

Repot Variegated Showy Trailing Jade at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), only when pot-bound as it flourishes when slightly crowded in the pot.

Use a pot that is 1 size larger than the current one to avoid overpotting. Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy to avoid root-rot.

Select a clay pot as it is porous and allows the soil to dry out faster preventing it from staying wet for too long. Take a look at these terracotta pots with saucer on Amazon.

Before repotting, ensure that the soil is dry. Slip the Crassula sarmentosa Variegata 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, free-draining soil while spreading the roots as you fill the pot. Do not fill the pot to the brim but leave about 1 inch unfilled to allow for watering space.

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

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Variegated Showy Trailing Jade involves removal of any dead or diseased leaves to keep it neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations. Snip the leaves at the base with a sterilized knife or pair of scissors to prevent diseases transmission.

Cutback the plant at the beginning of the growing season if it is too straggly to rejuvenate growth. Minimize the number of cuts as much as possible to avoid unnecessary injuiries to reduce disease infestations.

Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.

Crassula sarmentosa Variegata Propagation

Crassula sarmentosa Variegata (Variegated Showy Trailing Jade) is propagated from leaf cuttings, stem cuttings or offsets at the beginning of the growing season when in active growth for faster establishment.

1. Propagating Variegated Showy Trailing Jade 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 Variegated Showy Trailing Jade 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 Variegated Showy Trailing Jade 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 sarmentosa Variegata Problems & Remedies

Crassula sarmentosa Variegata (Variegated Showy Trailing Jade) common problems are plant dying, leaf loss, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to solve them.

Plant dying

Why is my Crassula sarmentosa Variegata dying?

Your Crassula sarmentosa Variegata 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 indicated 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. Place 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 loss

Why is my Crassula sarmentosa Variegata losing leaves?

Your Crassula sarmentosa Variegata is losing 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 to 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 sources of 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 sarmentosa Variegata is due to underwatering, soggy soil, too little light or nutrients deficiency.

How to fix it

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

Soggy soil: Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well draining.

Too little light: Place the plant in very bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

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

Pests

Common pests on Crassula sarmentosa Variegata 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 increase humidity to reduce the pest infestations.

Diseases

Variegated Showy Trailing Jade 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 instructions.


3. Maintain free air circulation 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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