Ripple Jade Grow Guide: How to Grow Ripple Jade

Ripple jade (Crassula arborescens ssp. undulatifolia), also known as curly jade or silver jade, is a perennial evergreen succulent native to South Africa. This shrub has rippled or twisted blue-green leaves that are fleshy in texture, sprouting from woody stems emerging from a central trunk.

Ripple jade has a compact growth habit and can reach up to four feet tall. This plant, which prefers full sun, can bloom pink, star-shaped flowers in warm outdoor conditions. Gardeners grow ripple jades as indoor houseplants because they thrive in dry, warm climates and are not frost-tender. They thrive best in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 through 12.

Like many other succulents and cacti, ripple jades can be tricky to grow from seed—with a long germination time and low success rate. The best way to grow a new ripple jade plant is to propagate it from leaf cuttings or offsets from an established plant. Here’s how to grow your ripple jade from a leaf cutting taken from an established plant.

1. 1. Obtain your cutting. To select your leaf cutting, simply grip the leaf of an established plant between your fingers and gently pull it clean from the stem. Choose a couple of cuttings to increase your chances of success. Let the cuttings callus over on a paper towel for a few days.
2. 2. Choose a clay pot. Planting ripple jade in a porous clay or terracotta pot with drainage holes helps minimize the risk of overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Although your Crassula cutting will need water and moisture in its early days, you can water it less as it matures.
3. 3. Prepare your soil. Ripple jade prefers loamy, well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic soil pH. Prepare a container with this type of soil. If necessary, add perlite or vermiculite to your soil to encourage good drainage.
4. 4. Choose a planting spot. If you live in a place that has winters with temperatures that fall below fifty degrees Fahrenheit, plant your ripple jade in a container indoors. These plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight (or plenty of partial sun), so place the container near a window or bright light source.
5. 5. Plant the cutting. Stick the calloused-over leaf cutting directly into the soil of your container.
6. 6. Mist the cutting. Mist your cutting and keep the soil damp until new roots start to form.

Ripple jades are an easy-care houseplant that can add unique greenery to your home décor. Follow these care tips to help your ripple jade plants thrive:

• Water when dry. Water your ripple jade infrequently but thoroughly, and allow the soil to dry between waterings. Your plant may need more water in the warm growing season—spring and summer—but once fall rolls around, they’ll require less moisture. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot, stunting the healthy growth of your plant.
• Check for pests or diseases. Ripple jades may fall victim to mealybugs and aphids. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and use it to wipe any pests from the leaves. Your plants may also develop powdery mildew, which shows up as white, patchy spots on their leaves: This is a sign of overwatering, so simply scale back waterings if you notice the mildew.
• Monitor the leaves for damage. If your ripple jade leaves start to turn brown, it may be a sign of sunburn. Move your ripple jade out of the direct sunlight for a few days and remove any severely burned leaves.
• Repot your plants. Your ripple jade will need repotting every few years to prevent it from becoming root-bound. Gently dig out your ripple jade from its container and brush away some of the soil from the roots. Check to ensure all the roots are still healthy (they shouldn’t be tangled or too dry), then repot in a container with fresh soil and good drainage.
• Fertilize every few weeks. For the most part, Crassula plants don’t need much fertilizer. You can apply a fertilizer formulated for succulent plants every few weeks in the spring and summer months to maximize growth.

Like other jade plants (including Crassula ovata or money tree), Crassula arborescens undulatifolia are somewhat toxic and can cause digestive issues in humans and pets if consumed. Thus, keep ripple jades away from animals or children.

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