Crassula Ruffles Jade
(Crassula arborescens subsp. undulatifolia)

Description

Crassula Ruffles Jade –Ripple Jade. An unusual succulent bush, “Ruffles” earns its name from its uniquely curly and frilly-edged leaves. The plant features unusual twisty foliage that is thick, plump, and ranges from a hazy blues-green color to an actual green. Ruffled leaves turn from their cool tones into a bold purplish-red at the edges when grown in bright sun which offers an eye-catching and distinct look. Over time the plant will start to become woody and its thick trunks will mature into a fuller looking bushy shrub-creating a really fascinating and impressive bonsai-like succulent structure over time.

Light The Crassula Ruffles Jade is happiest with bright, filtered light, and can handle some bright morning direct sun. The classic red to purple tips along the rippled edges really pop in full light, like on a southern facing sill or a sunny balcony. In dimmer light the foliage takes on a rather plain blue grey color and stems tend to become spindly or stretchy. This particular crassula ultimately forms into a shrub, so in its adulthood it will look nice as an individual plant in the sill of a window and can even be grown as a contrasting component in a succulent arrangement where smoother, flatter succulents are used.

Ruffles Jade A relatively indestructible, easy care, and drought tolerant succulent plant for beginning to experienced gardeners because you're given some room for error with it if you only manage the soak and dry watering schedule. Slow grower for a time making it manageable sized in your garden or container for quite some time before it finally matures over a number of years to perhaps three feet tall with an appropriate woody stem. Relatively easy to grow on from stem or leaf cuttings of an established one.

Key Features

• Distinctive twisted, wavy-edged leaves in blue-grey to blue-green
• Leaf margins deepen to a reddish-purple tint in bright light
• Thick, woody stems that develop a bushy, bonsai-like form with age
• Heat-resistant succulent requires minimal deep-watering on occasion
• Slow-growing, staying manageable in a pot for a long time
• Low-maintenance and well suited to both beginners and experienced growers
• Grown from the same kind of stem or leaf cutting - easy!
• Distinctive rippled texture adds visual contrast to succulent collections

Care at a Glance

Product Specifications

What's in the Box

• 1 × Live Crassula Ruffles Jade plant
• 1 × Pot (Bare-rooted/Pot: Optional)
• Potting mix
• Basic care guide

Important Notes

• Each plant is a living thing, so natural variation in leaf twist, colour, and stem thickness is normal
• This plant grows slowly, so its full, woody, shrub-like form will develop gradually over several years
• Purple-red edge colouring depends on light exposure; plants kept in lower light will look plainer blue-grey
• Some minor leaf drop during transit is normal for succulents and the plant usually recovers within a couple of weeks
• Avoid direct, harsh afternoon sun right after unboxing; let the plant acclimatise gradually to its new spot
• Keep away from waterlogged soil, as overwatering is the most common cause of rot in Crassula

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: My Crassula Ruffles Jade doesn't seem very purple or red on the leaf margins - Why? 

A: This plant relies on strong light for the red and purple blush colouration - the plant will lack this color and be more of a dull blue/grey if it isn't getting enough light. Placing this into a brighter, sunnier location and exposing it to some direct morning sun often results in increased color around the ruffles over the coming weeks.

Q: When should I water? 

A: Water thoroughly, and then wait until the soil has completely dried out between waterings. In the growing season, depending on your climate and the pot you’re using, this could be once every 10-14 days, although in winter your plant should receive less water. Best rule: Check the soil to know when to water it, don't water automatically.

Q: Can I grow my Crassula Ruffles Jade indoors?

A: Yes you certainly can. But it will still need plenty of bright light for a number of hours each day preferably from a south facing window. Without enough light the stems will get tall and leggy and some of the tight spiral effect may be lost.

Q: How fast will this plant grow, and how large will it get? 

A: Crassula Ruffles Jade grows very slowly, keeping a manageable size for quite some time. In a few years of proper care and decent light, it should become a small woody shrub if treated properly, but this does take time.

Q. When should I re-pot it? 

A. For the majority of the year, re-potting every 2-3 years is fine, as they really are slow-growing and don't appreciate their roots being constantly interfered with. For the plant in spring/summer use a slightly larger pot in one that has excellent drainage.

Q: Is this plant harmful for my pets? 

A: For the most part, Crassula Ruffles Jade is as non-toxic for dogs and cats as all Crassula types. But it’s always recommended to prevent any plant where it isn’t in the reach of a chewing dog/cat – if nothing then your vet might have a good opinion on it.