Jelly Beans Plant (Sedum rubrotinctum) Care Indoors, Propagation, Problems & Remedies
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Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Beans Plant) thrives in bright light to full sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, rich, loose, free-draining soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Sedum rubrotinctum also called Pork and Beans Plant is a succulent plant with short, succulent leaves about 1/2 inch long that resemble jelly beans and change color from green to red in bright light as a protective adaptation.
Though the Jelly Beans stems are upright in young plants, they eventually grow long enough to trail over the sides of the pot, creating a hanging plant display. These characteristics place this plant among the best hanging succulents for indoor spaces.
Botanical name: Sedum rubrotinctum
Family: Crassulaceae
Common names: Jelly Beans Plant, Pork and Beans Plant
Origin
Sedum rubrotinctum is native to Mexico where it grows as a drought-tolerant plant.
Flower
The Jelly Beans Plant flowers are bright yellow and they sprout from between the leaves.
Is Sedum rubrotinctum toxic?
Sedum rubrotinctum is non-toxic to humans and pets as stated on the plantaddicts.com website. However, the plant may cause skin irritation when touched and stomach pains and irritation if ingested.
Related Plants
Sedum rubrotinctum is related to Sedum morganianum (Donkey's Tail Plant) and Sedum pachyphyllum (Blue Jelly Beans Plant) which are great indoor succulent plants.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add Jelly Beans Plant to your plant collection, you may get them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from (Link to Amazon).
How to Care for Sedum rubrotinctum Indoors
To properly care for Sedum rubrotinctum indoors, give it bright light to full sunlight, warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, loose, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Jelly Beans Succulent care requires repotting only when pot-bound. Pruning is needed to keep the plant neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Sedum rubrotinctum liberally in spring and summer until water drains through the drainage holes. Allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Take care not to overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing, drooping and leaf drop.
Decrease watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time to maintain the soil slightly moist. Do not let the soil dry out completely to prevent wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.
Use water that is at room temperature to avoid cold shock as it can result in stunted growth and leaf drop. Avoid chlorinated water to prevent staining and browning of the foliage.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent sogginess which can lead to rotting and plant death.
Take care not to wet the leaves to minimize fungal diseases; you may water from the bottom instead.
Light Requirements
Jelly Beans Plant grows best in bright light to full sunlight. Keep it away from hot midday sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Where the natural light is not sufficient, the plant will begin to yellow and become leggy. Therefore, consider using full spectrum grow lights to increase the light.
Should you choose to take Sedum rubrotinctum outdoors, gradually acclimate the plant and place it in a shaded place to avoid scorching the leaves.
Temperature & Humidity
Sedum rubrotinctum prefers a warmth of 18-260C. The sudden change in temperature between day and night is excellent for this succulent.
Keep it away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, open doors, AC units, heat sources and others to avoid sudden temperature changes as they can lead to stunted growth, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.
Jelly Beans Plant has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this plant. Maintain good air flow to discourage fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed your Jelly Beans Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer monthly in spring and summer but do not feed in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Jelly Beans Plant should be sandy or rocky soil to avoid waterlogging. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. A Cactus and succulents mix is perfect as it drains easily.
Repotting
Repot your Jelly Beans Plant only when the plant has become pot-bound. Use a shallow rather than a deep pot for the plant as it has shallow roots.
A clay pot is preferable because it is porous and therefore allows the soil to dry out faster. The pot should be only 1 size larger than the current one. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Take a look at these succulents pots on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Jelly Beans Plant requires the removal of dead and diseased leaves to maintain the plant tidy as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.
Occasionally clean the leaves by gently brushing off the dust with a soft brush. In addition to keeping the plant neat, cleaning helps in maintaining the surface area for light absorption.
Sedum rubrotinctum Propagation
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Beans Plant) is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season from leaf cuttings as they root easily.
Propagating Sedum rubrotinctum from leaf cuttings
- Take leaf cuttings from a healthy plant. Make sure it is complete with a petiole.
- Allow the cuttings to dry (callus) for 1-3 days before planting to avoid rotting.
- Lay the cuttings on moist, free-draining soil 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 sunshine to prevent scorching.
- Wet the soil lightly by misting, only when the soil is dry and avoid getting it soggy to avoid rotting.
- Rooting will take about 3-4 weeks after which a rosette of leaves will form at the base of the leaf cutting.
- Once the new plant is well established, seperate it and plant it in its own pot after which you can begin routine care.
Sedum rubrotinctum Problems & Solutions
Sedum rubrotinctum (Jelly Beans Plant) common problems are leaf drop, yellow leaves, pests and diseases. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Leaf drop
Why are the leaves falling off my Jelly Beans Plant?
Leaves are falling off your Jelly Beans Plant due to too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, excessive touching, aging among others.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light to full sunlight or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Avoid watering with cold water.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and a well-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like open doors, hot air vents, AC units, heat sources among others.
Excessive touching: Keep the plant away from the line of traffic, avoid unnecessary movement and take care when moving it.
Aging: This is a natural process. As the lower leaves mature, they turn yellow, brown and fall off.
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves on Sedum rubrotinctum are caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil, insufficient light, drafts or nutrients deficiency.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out and do not allow the soil-ball to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a fast-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Insufficient light: Position the plant in bright light to full sunshine or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not enough.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, windy doors, AC units, drafty windows among others.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer monthly in spring and summer.
Pests
Common pests on Jelly Beans Plant are mealybugs and scale insects which are common in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to minimze spread to other plants.
- Treat the affected plant with a neem oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Inspect the plant for these pests regularly and take timely control measures.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to discourage the pests.
Diseases
Sedum rubrotinctum is prone to the following diseases:
1. Leaf spot disease which is prevalent in damp, stuffy conditions. The disease presents as brown, soft leaf spots.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to reduce spread to the other plants.
- Treat the affected plant with neem oil as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Ensure free air circulation to discourage the diseases.
- Water the plant from the bottom to avoid wetting the leaves.
- Always allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil to prevent sogginess.
2. Basal stem-rot disease which is promoted by overwet conditions. It is characterized by a rotting plant base, yellowing and shrivelled leaves.
If caught early, the disease can be treated but if it has spread, the plant cannot be saved and it should be discarded together with its pot and soil.
How to treat early infestation
- To save a plant that is in the early stages of infestation, cut and discard or burn the diseased tissue.
- Keep the soil on the drier side; withhold watering for 10-14 days.
- Ensure the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole.
- Maintain good airflow to discourage the disease infestation.
- Keep the plant away from cold drafts to maintain an average warmth.
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