Repotting guide

When & how to repot Crassula Marnieriana (Crassula marnieriana)

Also called jade necklace, worm plant, Chinese pagoda.

More about crassula marnieriana

About Crassula Marnieriana

Crassula marnieriana · also called jade necklace, worm plant · houseplant

Crassula marnieriana, the jade necklace, is a South African succulent whose stacked, rounded leaves thread tightly along the stems like beads on a string. Stems start upright then trail and arch as they lengthen, edged red in good light. It needs sharp drainage and restrained watering, and like all Crassula it is toxic to pets.

Mature size: Trailing stems reach around 30-45 cm (12-18 in) long; individual leaves are about 1 cm across.

Watch for — Root and stem rot from overwatering: Soggy or slow-draining compost turns the stacked leaves and stems soft, yellow and translucent. Use a gritty mix, a pot with drainage, and let the surface dry fully between waterings.

How to tell crassula marnieriana needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For crassula marnieriana, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot crassula marnieriana

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Crassula Marnieriana's growth habit — a trailing succulent with slender stems densely clad in small, rounded, overlapping grey-green leaves that resemble a beaded necklace or stacked pagoda. stems begin upright and arch over to cascade with age, making it well suited to hanging pots. clusters of tiny pinkish-white flowers can appear in late winter to spring. — sets the pace. Crassula marnieriana, the jade necklace, is a South African succulent whose stacked, rounded leaves thread tightly along the stems like beads on a string. Stems start upright then trail and arch as they lengthen, edged red in good light. It needs sharp drainage and restrained watering, and like all Crassula it is toxic to pets.

What size pot to step crassula marnieriana up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Crassula Marnieriana stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot crassula marnieriana

Spring or summer, while crassula marnieriana is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting crassula marnieriana

Repot dry. Do not water crassula marnieriana for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty free-draining cactus or succulent mix ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set crassula marnieriana at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep crassula marnieriana completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for crassula marnieriana

Crassula Marnieriana wants free-draining cactus or succulent mix. Use a gritty, fast-draining medium: bagged cactus and succulent compost loosened with perlite, pumice or coarse sand, roughly one part grit to two parts compost. The aim is a mix that holds a little moisture but drains quickly, since the trailing stems rot easily where they sit on damp soil. Always plant in a pot with drainage holes. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting crassula marnieriana — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot crassula marnieriana?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for crassula marnieriana. Repot crassula marnieriana every 2–3 years into a snug pot of free-draining cactus or succulent mix, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does crassula marnieriana need?

When is the best time of year to repot crassula marnieriana?

Should you water crassula marnieriana after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot crassula marnieriana into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise crassula marnieriana after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting crassula marnieriana. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.