Jade Necklace (Crassula marnieriana)

La Crassula marnieriana It is very peculiar, but that is precisely why it is so beautiful. It is rare, but its characteristics make it a very interesting crass, since it is also one of those species that do not need much to be healthy.

As if that were not enough, its size is quite small, which means that it can be grown in pots throughout its life. Do we know it? 

Origin and characteristics of Crassula marnieriana

It is a crass or non-cactus succulent plant (remember that cacti are also succulents, as we talked about it in this article) native to South Africa. Its scientific name is Crassula marnieriana, and is popularly known as Jade necklace or Chinese pagoda.

It develops stems of about 30 centimeters long from which fleshy leaves sprout, rounded and green with red margins. If the insolation is very high, it can turn reddish. The flowers bloom in spring, or in winter if it is warm. They are grouped in pink and star-shaped inflorescences.

What are the care it requires?

If you dare to have a copy, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:

Location

It is a plant that can be both indoors and outdoors:

• Interior: it must be placed in a bright room, away from drafts. If you have an interior patio with light, much better; if not, put it near a window and rotate the pot a little from time to time so that the crásula can grow well.
• Exterior: it must be in full sun, but if they had it in semi-shade it should get used little by little and gradually since otherwise it would burn.

Earth

• Flower pot: requires a substrate, or mixture of substrates, that allow the water to drain as well as possible. Therefore, the ideal would be to plant it in sandy soils, such as pomx, akadama or others, but if it is also a good option to mix universal substrate with perlite in equal parts.
• Garden: the soil must have good drainage, and a neutral or slightly alkaline pH. Since it does not grow much, you can either dig a planting hole of about 40cm x 40cm and fill it with the substrate mentioned above, or plant it in a larger pot and then bury it in the hole.

Irrigation

Rather little. It is important that the substrate or soil dries completely between waterings in order to prevent the roots from rotting. In general, it will be watered an average of 2 times a week during the summer and every 7-10 days the rest of the year.

When watering, don't wet the leaves, just the soil. This is especially necessary during the summer season, since it is when the degree of insolation and, therefore, the risk of burns, is highest.

If you have it in a pot with a plate underneath, remember to remove any excess water 30 minutes after each watering.

Subscriber

Pay your Crassula marnieriana it will help you have a healthier, prettier plant, and with a better appearance. And, although we tend to think that it only needs water, the reality is that there is no living being that can be well only with its thirst quenched.

If you don't fertilize every now and then in spring and summer, you won't be able to have enough energy to fight off pest-causing insects and disease-causing microorganisms. So do not hesitate to fertilize it for example with a specific fertilizer for cacti and other succulents (on sale No products found.) following the instructions specified on the package, or with blue nitrophoska.

Multiplication

The easiest and fastest way to get new copies of Crassula marnieriana es multiplying it by cuttings in spring-summer following this step by step:

1. First, a stem is cut with scissors previously disinfected with pharmacy alcohol from the part that joins the rest of the plant.
2. Then, the wound is allowed to dry for 5-7 days in a place protected from direct and dry sun.
3. After that time, some lower leaves are removed.
4. Then, a pot is filled with pumice, akadama or other porous substrate, a hole is made in the center and the cutting is planted.
5. Finally, the pot is placed outside in semi-shade or indoors with light, and watered.

This way it will emit roots soon, in about 15 days.

Plagues and diseases

It is quite resistant, but in dry and very hot environments it can have some cochineal which is removed with a brush soaked in pharmacy alcohol for example, or with an anti-mealybug insecticide.

During the rainy season you have to keep an eye on the molluscs (snails, slugs) just in case since these animals have a tendency to eat succulents, and any other tender plant.

Rusticity

Resists cold and weak frosts of up to -2ºC, but prefers warm climates.

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