Crassula Hummel’s Sunset, commonly known as the Golden Jade Plant or Sunset Jade, is a true gem among succulents. With its glossy green leaves edged in shades of golden yellow and fiery red, this plant adds warmth and color to any indoor or outdoor space. As the seasons change and the plant receives more sunlight, the red tones intensify, creating a glowing “sunset” effect that makes it a standout in any collection.
Native to South Africa, Hummel’s Sunset is a slow-growing, low-maintenance succulent that’s perfect for both beginners and experienced plant lovers. It’s known for its tree-like shape, thick woody stems, and fleshy oval leaves that can live for many years with the right care. Beyond its striking beauty, this plant also symbolizes good luck, prosperity, and positive energy, making it a favorite choice for homes and offices alike.
Whether you’re looking to brighten up your windowsill, decorate your workspace, or add a touch of golden charm to your garden, Crassula Hummel’s Sunset is an easy-to-love succulent that rewards you with stunning color and effortless elegance all year long.
Image by Succulents Box
GENERAL CARE
LIGHTING
Crassula Hummel’s Sunset loves plenty of bright, indirect sunlight and will show off its most vibrant colors when it gets several hours of light each day. The best spot for your plant is near a south- or west-facing window, where it can enjoy gentle morning rays while staying protected from harsh afternoon sun.
Avoid placing it too close to the glass, as intense direct sunlight can scorch its leaves. Instead, keep it a few inches away from the window or use a sheer curtain to diffuse the light for a softer glow. Keep an eye on your plant for signs of light stress. If your Hummel’s Sunset starts stretching, leaning toward the window, or losing its rich color, it’s likely not getting enough light. Move it to a brighter spot or add a grow light to supplement natural light.
If you’re growing your Crassula outdoors, choose a place with bright morning sun and light afternoon shade. This balance helps prevent sunburn while maintaining those stunning golden-red leaf edges. With the right amount of light, your Hummel’s Sunset will glow like a miniature sunset - radiant red edges against deep green centers, a perfect touch of warmth for any space.
WATERING
When it comes to watering, Crassula Hummel’s Sunset doesn’t like sitting in soggy soil. The best way to water it is by following the soak and dry method - water the soil thoroughly until you see water draining from the bottom of the pot, then wait for the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Allowing the soil to dry between waterings is essential to prevent overwatering, which can easily cause root rot.
During its active growing season in spring and summer, water thoroughly and let the soil dry out before the next session. In fall and winter, when the plant slows down, reduce watering frequency and only water when the soil feels bone dry.
A simple trick to know when it’s time to water is to check the top inch of the soil with your finger, if it feels completely dry, it’s time for a good soak. Consistency and moderation are key. With the right watering rhythm, your Hummel’s Sunset will stay plump, healthy, and beautifully vibrant all year round.
SOIL AND FERTILIZER
To keep your Crassula Hummel’s Sunset happy and thriving, make sure it’s planted in a well-draining, airy soil mix that prevents water from sitting around the roots. A cactus or succulent-specific potting mix works perfectly for this plant. For even better drainage, you can mix in perlite, pumice, or coarse sand about two parts soil to one part additive. This combination provides the ideal balance between moisture retention and drainage, allowing your plant’s roots to breathe freely. At the start of the growing season, feed your Hummel’s Sunset once with a controlled-release fertilizer to give it a gentle nutrient boost for new growth.
When it comes to choosing a pot, always pick one with drainage holes to let excess water escape easily. Unglazed terracotta pots are a fantastic choice since their porous texture helps wick away moisture from the soil, keeping your plant’s roots dry and healthy. If you prefer a decorative pot without drainage holes, place your succulent in a nursery pot with drainage holes and then set it inside your decorative container. You’ll just need to remember to empty out any collected water after watering to prevent root rot.
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TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
Crassula Hummel’s Sunset enjoys a warm, stable environment that supports steady, healthy growth. It thrives best when daytime temperatures stay between 65–75°F (18–24°C), with a gentle drop at night to around 55–60°F (13–16°C). These cooler nights help mimic the plant’s natural habitat and encourage strong, compact growth.
Because Hummel’s Sunset is sensitive to cold temperatures, you’ll need to take extra care to keep it warm and protected during chilly weather. If you live in a region where winter temperatures fall below 20°F (-6.7°C), keep your plant in a pot that can be easily moved indoors to a warmer area. Once inside, place it near a bright window where it can still receive plenty of sunlight. If natural light is limited, a grow light can be used to help maintain its vibrant colors.
When it comes to humidity, Crassula Hummel’s Sunset is fairly adaptable and does well in average household conditions. In particularly dry environments, you can slightly increase humidity by placing a pebble tray filled with water beneath the pot. Make sure the bottom of the pot stays above the water level to keep the roots dry and healthy, preventing any risk of rot.
If you’re caring for your plant in a humid or tropical area, focus on good airflow to keep the leaves dry and healthy. A small fan nearby or an open window can help prevent fungal issues. Pair that with a well-draining soil mix and proper watering habits, and your Hummel’s Sunset will continue to thrive in almost any indoor climate.
EXTRA CARE
POTTING AND REPORTING
Crassula Hummel’s Sunset grows slowly, so it doesn’t need frequent repotting. However, giving it a fresh home every 2 to 3 years can help refresh the soil, provide more room for root growth, and keep the plant thriving.
When potting or repotting, always choose a pot with drainage holes to prevent excess water from sitting at the bottom. Unglazed terracotta pots are a great option because they allow moisture to evaporate more easily, reducing the risk of overwatering. If you prefer a decorative pot without drainage holes, place your plant in a smaller plastic nursery pot with holes first, then slip it inside the decorative container, just remember to empty any excess water after watering.
Before repotting, gently remove the plant from its current pot and inspect the roots. Trim away any dead or mushy roots with clean scissors or shears. Place a small layer of fresh, well-draining succulent or cactus mix at the bottom of the new pot, position your Hummel’s Sunset, and fill in around it with more soil. Lightly press the soil to secure the plant but avoid compacting it too tightly, as roots need airflow.
After repotting, allow the plant to settle for a few days before watering. This gives the roots time to heal and adjust to their new environment. Once established, resume your regular watering routine. Repotting not only refreshes the soil and encourages healthy root growth but also gives you a chance to admire just how much your Hummel’s Sunset has grown - its golden-green leaves glowing even brighter in their refreshed home.
PRUNING
Pruning your Crassula Hummel’s Sunset isn’t just about keeping it tidy - it’s also a great way to encourage fuller, healthier growth and maintain its beautiful shape. This slow-growing succulent can become a bit leggy over time, especially if it doesn’t receive enough light, so occasional pruning helps it stay compact and balanced.
The best time to prune is during the active growing season (spring and summer), when the plant can recover quickly. Use a pair of clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to trim back long, stretched stems or remove any damaged, shriveled, or yellowing leaves. Always make cuts just above a leaf node or branching point to promote new growth.
If your Hummel’s Sunset grows too tall and you want to encourage branching, trim the main stem slightly shorter. New shoots will sprout below the cut, giving the plant a fuller look. Keep the trimmed pieces as healthy cuttings can be propagated to grow new plants.
After pruning, let the cut areas dry and callus for a day or two before watering to prevent infection or rot. Regular light pruning not only helps your Crassula maintain its lovely form but also stimulates fresh, colorful growth, keeping your Golden Jade vibrant and radiant year-round.
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PROPAGATION
Propagating your Crassula Hummel’s Sunset is a fun and rewarding way to expand your collection or share this radiant succulent with friends. Like most Jade Plants, it can be propagated easily from stem cuttings or leaf cuttings, both of which root readily with a bit of patience and care.
To propagate from a stem cutting, choose a healthy, mature stem and cut a 3–4 inch section using clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. Remove the lower leaves and let the cutting dry in a warm, shaded spot for 3–5 days until the cut end forms a callus. Once calloused, plant the stem in a well-draining succulent or cactus mix. Water lightly at first—just enough to keep the soil slightly moist and avoid overwatering until you see signs of new growth.
If you prefer leaf propagation, gently twist off a healthy leaf from the main stem, making sure the entire base remains intact. Allow it to dry and callus for a few days before placing it on top of well-draining soil. Let the leaf rest on the surface without burying it, and mist lightly every few days to encourage rooting. In a few weeks, you’ll notice tiny roots and baby rosettes forming at the base.
Keep your new cuttings in bright, indirect light while they establish roots, and avoid placing them in direct sunlight until they’re stronger. Once your baby Hummel’s Sunset shows steady new growth, you can gradually move it to brighter light and care for it as you would a mature plant.
COMMON PROBLEMS
Crassula Hummel’s Sunset is generally a hardy and low-maintenance plant, but like most succulents, it can occasionally run into pest or disease problems, especially when growing conditions aren’t ideal.
The most common pests you might encounter are mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites. Mealybugs often appear as small, white, cotton-like clusters on leaves and stems, feeding on the plant’s sap and causing stunted growth. Aphids, on the other hand, tend to gather on new growth and can lead to distorted leaves. Spider mites are tiny and harder to spot, but you might notice fine webbing or tiny speckles on the foliage.
If you notice any of these pests, isolate your plant right away and treat it with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or a diluted alcohol solution (applied gently with a cotton swab). Always repeat the treatment every few days until the pests are completely gone.
In terms of diseases, root rot is the most common issue and is almost always caused by overwatering or poor drainage. To prevent this, use well-draining soil, a pot with drainage holes, and follow the soak-and-dry watering method. Occasionally, fungal leaf spots can also appear if water sits on the leaves for too long or if airflow is poor, so avoid overhead watering and make sure your plant has enough ventilation.
