Senecio jacobsenii
| Light | Bright light to full sun; sun brings out the purple leaf blush |
|---|---|
| Water | Regular in growth; let the soil dry between waterings, reduce in winter |
| Soil | Free-draining succulent mix with plenty of grit |
| Temperature | Keep above freezing; USDA zones 10–11 |
| Propagation | Stem cuttings (very easy); also layering where stems touch soil |
| Toxicity | Considered mildly toxic to cats and dogs if eaten; keep out of reach |
Senecio jacobsenii — now often placed in the genus Kleinia as Kleinia petraea — is a vigorous creeping and trailing succulent from East Africa, grown for its overlapping, paddle-shaped leaves that flush deep purple in strong light. Its sprawling, ground-hugging habit and cascading stems have earned it the common names trailing jade and weeping jade.
Description
Senecio jacobsenii produces thick, fleshy stems that creep along the ground and trail freely over the edge of a pot or wall. The stems are lined with flat, oval to spoon-shaped leaves that overlap like roof tiles or the scales of a fish, arranged in neat ranks along each stem. In shade the leaves are a plain glossy green, but under bright light or cool stress they take on a rich purple to bronze blush, especially along the margins — the trait most growers prize.
The stems root readily wherever they touch soil, so a single plant can spread into a low, dense mat. In autumn and winter mature plants may send up brush-like flower heads of small orange flowers, which carry a scent many find unpleasant; the display is modest compared with the foliage.
Distribution and habitat
The species is native to East Africa, where it grows on rocky slopes and among boulders — a habit reflected in the epithet of its Kleinia name, petraea, meaning "of rocks". In habitat it scrambles over stony ground and rock faces, rooting into pockets of gritty soil and enduring long dry spells by storing water in its fleshy leaves and stems.
Cultivation
Trailing jade is one of the easier trailing succulents and an excellent choice for a hanging pot or the front edge of a mixed container. Grow it in a free-draining succulent mix and give it as much light as you can — bright light or gentle full sun is what develops the purple colouring; in too much shade the plant stays green and the stems stretch and grow leggy.
Water thoroughly when the soil has dried, then let it dry again; like most succulents it is far more tolerant of drought than of soggy roots. Ease off through the cooler months, when a little cool and dry treatment also helps deepen the leaf colour. Protect it from frost — it is not hardy — and bring it indoors or under cover where winters are cold. See Watering and Repotting for general technique.
Propagation
Propagation could hardly be simpler. Take a stem cutting, let the cut end callus for a day or two, and lay or plant it on gritty soil; it will root quickly. Because the trailing stems root naturally where they touch the ground, you can also peg a stem down and separate the rooted section once established. Whole trailing pieces knocked off in handling will usually strike if simply set on soil.
Common problems
- Etiolation and loss of colour — the most common complaint; too little light leaves the plant green, sparse and stretched. Move it somewhere brighter to restore compact, purple-tinged growth.
- Rot — from overwatering or a heavy, water-retentive mix; stems go soft and mushy. Grow lean and let the soil dry out.
- Pests — mealybugs (white fluff in the leaf joints) and aphids on new growth and flower stalks are the usual visitors. See Pests and diseases.
See also
- Kleinia — the genus overview
- Senecio — the related genus in which this plant is often listed
- Propagation — cuttings · Soil and potting mix · Watering · Repotting · Pests and diseases