Introduction
Sedum Rubrotinctum or commonly known as the “Jelly Bean” plant, is a cute-looking succulent with colorful chubby, little red-tipped leaves, giving it a jelly bean-like appearance. In addition to that, this plant offers an interesting shape and color that will not only make a wonderful addition to a dish garden but also looks perfect in hanging baskets as it tends to trail over the side of the pot as it grows.
So if you are in search of a succulent that is fun, very easy to care for, and at the same time, will look great in just any living space, then Sedum Jelly Bean is the one that you are looking for!
Not convincing enough? Read on to discover more about this magnificent plant.
Please note that some links in this post may be affiliate links to other sites. We may earn a small commission if you click on the link and make a purchase. This commission is at absolutely no cost to you.
About Sedum Jelly Bean
There are different varieties of Jelly Bean plant. The normal one is called Green Jelly Bean, which has bright green leaves, and the other one is called the Aurora Jelly Bean, which has lighter, more pinkish leaves that can be variegated.
Jelly Bean Plants have cylindrical jelly-bean shaped leaves that grow up to 2 cm long and can reach up to 7 to 8-inches tall with the tendency to lean on one side. During the early years of the Jelly Bean plant, it can produce some delicate star-shaped yellow flowers, which appear abundantly from Winter to Spring.
Important: Sedum Jelly Bean may seem like a tasty treat, but this plant is actually toxic to both humans and pets. It can cause irritation when ingested or touched. So make sure to keep this plant away from children and pets.
Caring for Sedum Jelly Bean
1. Sunlight Needs
Sedum Jelly Bean is an evergreen, low-growing perennial succulent that loves sunlight. When happily stressed, the leaves of these succulents turn to a brilliant shade of red but will turn green all over when not enough light reaches them. So if you want to maintain their colorful leaves, place this plant in a bright sunny location where it can get at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. You can also put your Sedum Jelly Bean in partially shaded areas where a few hours of the sun can reach the plant for a pop of color.
During a heatwave, make sure to move your Jelly Bean to a shadier spot to prevent the risk of sun damage. You can also give it some sun protection or shade, especially during the intense summer heat, where the sun can really scorch the plants if left unprotected.
When grown indoors, place your Jelly Bean in a spot where it can get approximately 5 to 6 hours of light a day to thrive, like near east, south, or west-facing windows.
If you live in an area where there is not enough light indoors, or you have long dark winters, you can also consider using a grow light to prevent the plant from stretching out due to lack of sunlight.
If you don’t know how to properly use a grow light for your succulents, you can learn more about it here.
2. Watering
When it comes to watering, how and when actually depends on the climate you live in. For example, in the summer months, your Jelly Beans should be watered deeply once every 7-10 days, sometimes more during a heatwave. In Spring and Fall, where the temperature cools down, your watering should be cut back to once every 10-14 days.
When it comes to watering, how and when actually depends on the climate you live in.
A good rule of thumb here to tell whether it’s time to water your Jelly Bean is to check the moisture of the soil. You can either use a moisture meter or your finger to feel if the top inch needs are already dry before watering again. If you are unsure how much and how often to water, it’s always better to underwater and adjust your watering as needed.
3. Soil Requirements
Like any other succulents, Sedum Jelly Bean also tends to get root rot as well when left sitting in wet soil for too long. So to avoid this, make sure to use a well-draining one. You can either buy one from a local store near you or create your own soil mix by blending a ratio of 2:1 solution of cactus mix and perlite.
You can also use sandy soil, which can be achieved by mixing cactus mix or potting soil with coarse sand (about 2:1 ratio).
4. Temperature
Since Jelly Beans are native to Mexico, they can be grown outdoors without a worry in zones 9 to zone 10. However, keep in mind that this plant cannot tolerate extreme winter conditions and below-freezing temperatures for prolonged periods of time. So if you live in a zone that gets colder than 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it is best to keep them in containers where you can easily carry them indoors, especially before winter sets in.
If planted in-ground or if you can’t move the plant indoors, consider giving them protection using frost cloths and greenhouses to save and protect them from the long, harsh winter months.
Propagation
Sedum Jelly Beans are not only easy to care for but also one of the easiest succulents to propagate, and the fastest way is through cutting, as they root easily and often on their own without any help.
Sedum Jelly Beans are not only easy to care for but also one of the easiest succulents to propagate.
To do this, simply follow the step-by-step guide below:
Step 1: Using a clean sharp scissor, snip a stem that has begun to trail or become long to cut. You can also choose one that already has roots growing on them.
Step 2:Since the stems of Jelly Beans are thin and dry faster compared to other succulents, you will only need to give it a day or 2 to callous over.
Step 3: Stick your stem cuttings in a well-draining potting mix and place it in a bright area but away from direct sunlight.
Step 4: Make sure to mist water your stem cuttings every few days, or when the soil feels dry to the touch.
Step 5: Cut back your watering to about once a week once the cuttings have established roots in a few weeks, and slowly increase sun exposure as the plant matures.
Sedum Jelly Beans can also be propagated through leaves. However, it would be slower but works just as well when propagating it through cuttings.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to propagate your Jelly Bean plants from leaves.
Step 1: To start, you can either use a fallen leaf or break off your own from the stem. Keep in mind that the leaf needs to be whole from the tip to the end for propagation to work, and make sure to use a plump, healthy-looking one to get a higher chance of success. Dried up or shriveled leaves will most likely not make it.
Step 2: Set the leaves aside and allow them to dry out. The leaves can then be set on well-draining soil and place away from direct sunlight, as leaving it under the full sun will risk it to shrivel up and burn.
Step 3: In a span of a few weeks, your leaves should have started established. Once it does, mist the soil every few days or when the soil dries out.
Step 5: Continue misting every few days or when the soil felt dries out to the touch even after a new baby plant has emerged from the original leaf.
Step 6: Slowly increase sunlight exposure and decrease watering to once a week or when the soil feels dry as your new plant matures.
Bottom line
Sedum Jelly Bean is not only a versatile and easy-to-care-for but also offers interesting shape and color, making it a great decorative plant, which can be planted on its own or with other succulents in both outdoor and indoor.
See more about How to Make Dragon’s Blood Sedum Bloom
If you found this article interesting,
And get a free plant when your friends make an order. Sign up here!
Learn more about how to nurture and enjoy many gorgeous succulents and clever decoration tips with our newsletter. Let's sign up!
Recommended Items
