Why are my leaves falling off?

This is a natural way for the plant to propagate itself, though it can also be a sign of overwatering.

How much sun does it need?

It prefers bright, direct sunlight to maintain its compact shape and red coloration.

Plant guide

Pork and Beans.

Sedum rubrotinctum

Pronounced SEE-dum roo-bro-TINK-tum

Also known as Christmas-cheer, Jelly-beans, pork-and-beans

Sedum rubrotinctum — Photo by Jon Sullivan (CC BY) via gbif

Pork and Beans is a charming succulent known for its jelly bean shaped leaves that turn bright red in the sun. It is a low growing plant that thrives in warm, sunny spots. You will love how easily it propagates from fallen leaves.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 21 days
Mature size: 20 cm tall and 30 cm wide
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to spring

Care

Give this succulent plenty of direct sunlight to maintain its vibrant color and compact shape. Water only when the soil is completely dry to prevent root rot. Watch for shriveling leaves, which indicate the plant needs a drink.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out entirely between waterings.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back leggy stems in spring to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has outgrown its container.
Soil: Well draining cactus and succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -4 to 38°C
Humidity: 10 to 40%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant has become top heavy.
Soil no longer drains well.

Safety

People: The sap can cause skin irritation upon contact.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: The small, jelly bean like leaves are a choking hazard and should be kept away from small children.
Contact allergens: The sap contains compounds that may cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive upset.

How to identify it

Jelly bean shaped fleshy leaves
Leaves turn red in sunlight
Trailing or spreading growth habit
Small yellow star shaped flowers

Height: 0.1 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: green, red, evergreen
Flowers: yellow, 0.5 to 1cm

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, leaf cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant dry during winter to prevent rot. Move it indoors if temperatures drop below freezing.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage holes.

Stem Cuttings

1. Snip a healthy stem.
2. Let the cut end callous for two days.
3. Place the stem in well draining soil.

Group succulents together to ensure they all receive the same infrequent watering schedule.

Grows well with

Echeveria · They share similar water and light requirements.
Aloe · Both plants thrive in dry, sunny conditions.

Similar species

Sedum album · It is another low growing succulent with similar care needs.

Science

Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Sedum
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Mexico
Conservation: This plant is not of conservation concern.

It grows in arid, rocky environments where it stores water in its succulent leaves to survive long dry spells.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: rock gardens, container gardening, ground cover

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves falling off?: This is a natural way for the plant to propagate itself, though it can also be a sign of overwatering.
How much sun does it need?: It prefers bright, direct sunlight to maintain its compact shape and red coloration.

Where the name comes from

The name Sedum comes from the Latin word sedere, meaning to sit, referring to how these plants sit on rocks. Rubrotinctum means red tinged, describing the leaf color.

Good to know

It is commonly called the jelly bean plant because of its plump leaves.
The leaves drop off easily and can grow into new plants.
It thrives in poor, rocky soil.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.