A different brushstroke on every leaf
Cream bands vary in width and direction across the green surface, making the entire crown read as a naturally assembled mosaic.
Crassula ovata 'variegata' 12cm
Normal price
€11,90
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The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Crassula ovata 'variegata'
Green just got highlights ✨
- Crassulaceae
- Green & cream variegation
- Fleshy oval leaves
- Tree-like development
Crassula ovata 'variegata' is the luminous, hand-painted expression of a timeless succulent: every fleshy leaf combines deep green with irregular cream bands, creating a plant that looks individually composed. No crown repeats the pattern of another, and that natural individuality gives it instant collector appeal, elegance and genuine decorative value.
Dense stems and opposite glossy leaves gradually build a compact miniature-tree silhouette, while the margins may acquire soft pink or reddish accents. As the plant matures, the contrast between green, cream and blush becomes richer, turning it into a living colour feature that develops more character alongside its surroundings.
What makes it special
Its character is built on more than colour: a unique pattern, succulent texture and slow tree-like development work together.
Texture with depth
Thick, smooth, glossy leaves reflect light differently across green and pale tissue, giving the variegated pattern an extra physical dimension.
A miniature tree in progress
Succulent stems branch and thicken with age, gradually building the balanced sculptural outline of a small succulent shrub.
Why you will love it: it offers the familiar sculptural form of jade in a brighter and completely individual colour expression.
In your spacePlacement & plant pairingsWhere it stands out and which plants complement it best
Where it looks its best
Display it near a very bright east-, south- or west-facing window, leaving visual space around the crown so the variegated pattern reads clearly. Matte terracotta, warm white, sand or deep green make elegant backdrops. It may spend the warm season in a sheltered outdoor position once it has been gradually acclimatised to direct sun.
Plants that bring out its character
Build a bright collection around plants that share a thorough drying cycle, keeping every species in its own pot so water and exposure can be adjusted independently.
- Pachyphytum compactum — glaucous geometric rosettes add a cool blue note beside the green and cream.
- Adromischus cristatus — ruffled leaf tips and a low habit contrast with the smooth oval leaves.
- Sedum clavatum — soft grey-green rosettes form a quiet base that lets the variegated crown take the lead.
Care at a glance
Light
A very bright position with gentle sun. Move into stronger exposure gradually because the cream tissue scorches more readily.
Watering
Soak only when the mix is dry through almost its full depth, then allow all excess water to drain completely.
Climate
Warm, bright and well ventilated conditions. Protect from frost, cold wetness and abrupt temperature changes.
Pets
Crassula ovata is toxic to dogs and cats if ingested. Keep it securely out of reach.
For this plant
Substrate & feeding
Detailed careComplete care guideLight, drying cycle, seasonal rhythm, substrate and feeding in detail
Light and position
Provide very bright filtered light and, once acclimatised, gentle morning or late-afternoon sun. The variegated crown needs abundant light for compact growth, but its cream sectors contain less chlorophyll and may scorch behind hot glass or in sudden midday sun.
Correct watering
Check that the substrate has dried through almost its full depth and that the pot feels clearly lighter. Then water evenly until excess runs from the drainage hole and let it drain completely. Drying takes longer in winter and under lower light, so watering naturally becomes less frequent without following a calendar.
Air movement and humidity
It prefers free air movement and the ordinary, relatively dry atmosphere of a bright home. Misting is unnecessary. Avoid enclosed, persistently humid positions, and do not leave water sitting in leaf axils or in the saucer.
Temperature and seasonal rhythm
Growth is usually strongest from spring through autumn when light and mild warmth coincide. It commonly slows in winter, so provide more light, far less water and no pressure for new growth. Protect it from frost and especially from the combination of cold conditions and wet substrate.
Substrate and pot
Use a porous cactus-and-succulent mix with rapid drainage and ample air around the roots. The pot must have a drainage hole, should be only slightly larger than the root system and needs enough stability as the crown gains weight.
Feeding, repotting and pattern control
Apply a mild, balanced, low-nitrogen feed only while the plant is actively producing leaves. After repotting into a mix with starter nutrition, wait for it to be used before feeding. Move up by one pot size and remove any completely green shoot at its base so the faster green growth does not dominate the crown.
Botanical identityIdentity & botanical originThe accepted name, cultivar story and ecological reference
Accepted identity
The Royal Horticultural Society accepts Crassula ovata 'Variegata' and lists Crassula obliqua 'Variegata' and Crassula portulaca 'Variegata' as older synonyms. It is a slow-growing evergreen succulent selection with irregular cream margins.
The story of the variegated selection
The variegated form entered cultivation under the descriptive epithet 'Variegata' and has been maintained clonally for its green-and-cream pattern. No reliable breeder, nursery, selection year or controlled parentage has been published, so it is presented as a cultivated selection of the species rather than given an invented pedigree.
From Miller to Druce
Philip Miller described the wild species in 1768 as Cotyledon ovata. In 1917, George Claridge Druce transferred it to Crassula. Kew now accepts Crassula ovata as a species native from south-eastern Mozambique through KwaZulu-Natal to the south-eastern Cape Provinces.
From natural habitat to care: The ecological reference comes from wild Crassula ovata, a prominent plant of southern African valley thicket and rocky hillsides. Water storage in its fleshy leaves and its occurrence on freely draining sites help explain why it performs in a pot with strong light, an airy mix and a clear wet-to-dry cycle; 'Variegata' remains a cultivated clone and is not presented as a naturally occurring variegated population.
Greenleaf for Plant NerdsScientific details nobody asked forMechanisms, physiology and genetics behind its form and colour
CAM in four phases
At night, Crassula ovata captures CO₂ through PEPC and stores it mainly as malic acid in vacuoles. During the day, CO₂ is released internally for the Calvin cycle, allowing stomata to remain closed for longer and reducing transpiration.
Cream tissue is more than a colour effect
In most green-and-white variegation, pale sectors contain fewer or impaired chloroplasts and have much lower photosynthetic output. The green portions of the crown therefore carry a greater share of carbohydrate production.
Phyllotaxis in a cross
Leaves form in opposite pairs, and each successive pair is rotated by roughly 90° relative to the one below. This opposite decussate arrangement organises the compact crown evenly around the stem.
Pink margins and variegation are different
The cream pattern reflects reduced chlorophyll, while pink or reddish margins arise from a separate set of protective pigments that increase with light and cooler conditions. Both colour mechanisms can appear in the same leaf.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about variegation, light, watering, green reversion and pet safety.
01How do I keep the green-and-cream pattern clear?
Provide a very bright position, steady growth and control of any completely green shoots. Low light stretches the stems and makes the pattern less visually distinct, but do not move the plant abruptly into hard sun; increase exposure gradually.
02Why has it produced a completely green shoot?
This is a reversion to tissue with more chlorophyll. The green shoot often grows faster than variegated growth. If you want to preserve the cultivar's character, remove it at its point of origin with a clean tool.
03When does it actually need water?
Water when the mix is dry through almost its full depth and the pot feels noticeably lighter. Soak thoroughly, let water leave through the drainage hole and empty the saucer. Soft leaves above wet substrate do not automatically mean thirst; inspect root conditions first.
04Can it take direct sun?
Yes, especially gentle morning or late-afternoon sun, once acclimatised. Pale sectors have less natural protection and may develop permanent brown patches after an abrupt move into fierce midday sun.
05How can I propagate it without losing the variegation?
Choose a stem cutting that clearly includes both green and cream tissue. Allow the cut to dry before placing it in an airy mix. Seed-grown plants do not reproduce a clonal variegation pattern reliably.
06Is it safe for dogs and cats?
It should not be chewed or ingested. The ASPCA lists jade plant as toxic to dogs and cats, with possible vomiting, depression and incoordination. Keep it out of reach and contact a veterinarian promptly if ingestion is suspected.
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