Crassula Rupestris (pronounced KRASS-oo-la rue-PES-tris) is a shrublet succulent plant that belongs to the genus Crassula in the jade plant family Crassulaceae.
This Crassula plant originates from the eastern cape of South Africa and known by several common names including:
- Baby’s Necklace Vine
- Kebab Bush
- Bead Vine
- Rosary plant
- Concertina plant
The botanical name comes from the Latin term ‘Crassus’ meaning thick and fleshy, referring to the appearance of the Crassula Rupestris’s leaves while the name rupestris means rocks.
Crassula Rupestris Care
Size and Growth
Crassula baby necklace vine has a multi-branched growth.
This growing Crassula starts with an upward growth and then spills over its pot as it matures.
Rupestris crassula can grow to be up to 3’ feet tall. The leaves are usually around 1” tall and during bloom season, the star-shaped flowers can be 0.25” inches wide.
This plant is hardy to grow in USDA hardiness zones 9b to 11b.
Rupestris looks and grows similar to its cousin Crassula Perforata (String of Buttons).
Flowering and Fragrance
Crassula Rupestris is characterized by thin stems that have small, thick leaves that are shaped like ovals.
The leaves are shades of red and yellow in the summer months and gray-tinged for the remaining seasons.
The plant blooms with pale pink star-shaped flower clusters.
During the summer months, the leaf margins develop brilliant red and yellow hues.
Light and Temperature
The baby necklace succulent is a light loving plant and will do great when placed in direct sun. However, it also does well in light shade.
If you decide to place your Crassula Rupestris plant in full sun exposure, acclimate the plant slowly to the sunlight to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Cooler nighttime temperatures of around 50° to 55° degrees Fahrenheit are preferred by these plants in order to grow in optimal conditions.
Kebab Bush also benefits from overwintering if you want to encourage healthy blooming.
Watering and Feeding
Like all succulent plants, the rupestris crassula plant cannot deal with overwatering.
If you leave them in standing water, they will be susceptible to root rot.
Follow the ‘soak and dry’ method while watering:
- Water them thoroughly once
- Then wait for the soil to dry out before watering again
TIP: The ‘soak and dry’ watering method is good for most succulent plants – like Echeveria plants and Crassula ovata (jade plant).
They will generally need more water during the hotter months of the year as compared to the cooler winter months.
Make sure you have a pot with good drainage to minimize the risk of standing water at the base of your plant.
Feed your Kebab Bush with a diluted liquid fertilizer during the growing season to promote healthy growth.
Soil and Transplanting
The baby necklace plant crassula needs a well-draining soil mix to prevent root rot in these plants.
A commercial cactus mix or coarse, sandy soil can be mixed together in the ratio of 2:1 for a good draining mix.
Mixing in perlite with a cactus potting mix for a similar effect.
If you choose to transplant your kebab bush, make sure to do so in the warmer months, and don’t let your transplanted succulent sit in water at any cost.
How To Propagate Baby’s Necklace Succulent?
The Baby Necklace Vine can be propagated using stem cuttings or leaves.
If you use leaves, remember they take much longer to take root as opposed to stem cuttings.
To use leaves for propagation, remove the entire leaf from the plant including the base to ensure that there’s a higher chance of success.
Let the leaf-cutting dry out for a day or two and then lay it flat in a potting mix.
Keep the soil lightly moist until the leaf-cutting takes root.
For stem cuttings, you’ll want to follow a similar process and dry out your cutting before planting.
However, instead of planting it on top of the soil, you’ll want to plant it in the potting mix. It will take about two weeks for your plant to take root.
Crassula Rupestris Plant Pests and Disease Problems
If given too much or too little water, Crassula rupestris will suffer from a number of leaf disfigurations. Be very careful about your watering practices.
In addition to this, Crassula rupestris is susceptible to mealybugs.
They will appear as cottony spots on the leaves. Get rid of mealybugs by wiping down the leaves with rubbing alcohol.
Suggested Kebab Bush Uses
These easy-to-grow plants can be grown both indoors and outdoors and make for a beautiful ornamental addition to your garden or home as potted plants or small hanging baskets.