Crassula sarmentosa

Common Names

Trailing Jade, Jade Tree, Jade-Tree, Showy Trailing Jade Plant, Variegated Trailing Jade Plant, Comet

Summary

The trailing jade, a succulent native to the South African coast from Knysna to central KwaZulu-Natal, is an evergreen, much-branched plant with trailing, clambering stems and opposite elliptic to ovate leaves that are dark green with red margins in bright sun; stems can be reddish or mottled, and star-shaped white to cream flowers appear in terminal clusters in winter. For cultivation, it is easy and low-maintenance, suitable for bedding, rockeries, containers, or ground cover; it prefers very porous acidic soil with drainage; grows best in full sun to bright filtered light with good airflow; water sparingly, never letting the plant sit in water; propagates by offshoots or seeds; hardy to -5°C; USDA zones 9b–12; tolerant of salt winds; common pests include mealybugs.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

24-39 inches

Spread

2-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9b-11b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial sun and partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil, cactus or succulent potting mix

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soil.

Soil pH

6.5-6.5

Bloom Color

White and pink

Bloom Time

Spring to Winter

Foliage Color

Green to dark green foliage, often greenish-yellow with red or pink margins; may turn red in bright light or when stressed; some forms have cream margins with reddish highlights; neon green in some cases

Fall Foliage Color

Red, Pink, Yellow, Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Moderate to Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, other pollinators (insects), birds (indirectly via insects)