Jelly Bean Plant

Overview

The jelly bean plant, or 'pork and beans', is a cheerful little sedum whose plump, bean-shaped leaves flush from green to glossy red at the tips in bright sun. Fast, easy and endlessly simple to propagate from a single dropped leaf, it is one of the most fun and forgiving succulents for a sunny windowsill.

Origin & Natural Habitat

Sedum rubrotinctum is a stonecrop of garden origin, related to Mexican sedums, grown worldwide as an easy, colourful succulent. Like other sedums it is tough, sun-loving and remarkably simple to grow and multiply.

Appearance

Low, branching stems set with clusters of plump, glossy, jelly-bean-shaped leaves, green in shade and flushing bright red or bronze at the tips in strong sun - hence 'pork and beans'. Small yellow star flowers can appear in spring. The leaves detach easily and root where they fall.

Why People Love It - Qualities & Benefits

People love the plump, colourful, candy-like leaves, the way they turn red in the sun, and how effortlessly the plant grows and multiplies - a single dropped leaf becomes a new plant. It is a favourite fun, forgiving starter succulent.

Care

Light

Bright light with plenty of direct sun brings out the best red colour and keeps the growth compact - a sunny windowsill is ideal. In low light it stays plain green, stretches and sprawls.

Watering

Soak when the soil is fully dry, then wait; the plump leaves store water and pucker when thirsty. Keep drier in winter. It tolerates drought far better than overwatering, which rots it.

Soil & Potting

A gritty, free-draining succulent mix in a pot with drainage. Sharp drainage prevents the rot that overwatering causes.

Humidity & Temperature

Warm, dry air suits it; ordinary room air is fine. Keep it above about 5°C; it tolerates a cool, dry winter and colours up best with cool bright conditions.

Feeding

A much-diluted succulent feed once or twice in the growing season is ample. It thrives on lean soil and needs little.

Repotting

Repot every couple of years in spring as it spreads, and expect to pot up the many dropped-leaf babies. It roots so readily that pots quickly fill.

Propagation

About as easy as propagation gets: a single leaf that drops (or is removed) will root and form a new plant on the soil surface with almost no effort. Stem cuttings root just as readily.

Common Problems & Pests

Overwatering rot is the main risk. Leaves drop at a touch (harmless - they propagate). Stretching and staying green mean too little light. Mealybugs can appear. The sap can cause mild skin irritation in some people, so wash your hands after handling.

Toxicity & Safety

The jelly bean plant is generally considered of low toxicity, but its sap can irritate skin, and it is best not eaten by people or pets - so keep it out of reach of children and animals and wash your hands after handling. If a pet chews it and seems unwell, contact a vet.

Pros & Cons

Pros: plump, colourful candy-like leaves, red in the sun, extremely easy, propagates from a single leaf. Cons: leaves drop very readily, sap can mildly irritate skin, needs strong light for colour, rots if overwatered.

Best Suited For

A fun, forgiving, colourful succulent for a bright windowsill and for beginners - one of the easiest of all to grow and multiply, and a favourite with children (kept out of reach for chewing).

FAQ

Why is mine green instead of red? Not enough light - give it plenty of direct sun and the leaf tips flush red.

A leaf fell off - can I grow a new plant? Yes - lay it on gritty soil and it roots into a new plant with almost no effort.