Ripple Jade Plant Info: Caring For Ripple Jade Plants

ripple jade
ripple jade
(Image credit: SharafMaksumov)

Compact, rounded heads atop sturdy branches give a bonsai type appeal to the ripple jade plant (Crassula arborescens ssp. undulatifolia). It can grow into a rounded shrub, with mature plants capable of reaching 3 to 4 feet (around 1 m.) in height, according to ripple jade plant info. Bluish leaves are twisted and erect, sometimes with purple edging when this plant is growing in the right place. Growing ripple jade, also called curly jade, is a joy when it’s located in a happy spot.

Growing a Ripple Jade Plant

Place your ripple jade outside, if possible, when temperatures allow. If you live in an area that doesn't have freezing temperatures, grow ripple jade plants in the ground. These plants make an attractive border or background plant for shorter succulents. Happy, healthy plants produce white blooms in spring to summer. When planted inland, morning sun is preferable. Locate ripple jade plants in full morning sun to keep them vigorous. When planted in coastal areas, ripple jade may take afternoon sun as well. While this specimen can take some shade, too little sun creates stretching, disturbing the appearance of this plant. Jade plants growing indoors need a sunny window or exposure to a grow light. If your plant is stretching, ripple jade plant info advises pruning for shape and acclimating to a full-sun location. Increase sunlight every few days by a half hour to an hour until you’ve reached six hours of sun. Use cuttings left from pruning to start more plants. Let the cut end callous for a few days before planting.

Ripple Jade Care

Caring for ripple jade begins with planting in amended, fast-draining soil. As with most jade plants, limited water is needed for ripple jade care. Wrinkled leaves indicate when your jade needs a drink. Well-established ripple jade plants that are settled into a container or a planting bed need little attention. Succulents, overall, need little to no fertilization, but if your plant looks pale or unhealthy, sometimes a springtime feeding of succulent fertilizer is just the pick me up your plant needs. Bottom leaves may yellow and fall off before the plant enters winter dormancy. This is normal for the plant and usually does not indicate a need for feeding. Find the happy spot for your ripple jade and watch it develop.

Becca Badgett
Writer

Becca Badgett was a regular contributor to Gardening Know How for ten years. Co-author of the book How to Grow an EMERGENCY Garden, Becca specializes in succulent and cactus gardening.