Crassula ovata or Jade plant | Care and Growing

Care of the succulent plant Crassula ovata or Jade plant

The genus Crassula, family Crassulaceae, includes 600 species of succulent plants native to southern Africa. Some species are: Crassula ovata, Crassula tetragona, Crassula perforata, Crassula muscosa, Crassula multicava, Crassula marnierana, Crassula falcata, Crassula capitella, Crassula Buddha's Temple (cultivar), Crassula arborescens, Crassula arta, Crassula radicans, Crassula Coralita, Crassula picturata, Crassula corymbulosa.

Common names: Jade plant, Lucky plant, Money plant or Money tree. This species is native to Mozambique and South Africa.

They are succulent plants with a shrubby growth and slow growth that can reach 1.50 meters (4.92 feet) in height. The fleshy oval leaves are light green, bluish-green, or variegated; if they receive a lot of sun, they acquire reddish tones. The starry flowers appear in clusters and can be white or pink. They bloom in spring but can re-bloom in summer and fall.

They are used in rockeries, on dry slopes, in flowerbeds and in pots for patios, terraces, windows and balconies.

The Crassula ovata prefers a semi-shade exposure receiving direct sun in the early morning or late afternoon. It does not resist temperatures below 5 ºC (41 ºF). In winter they appreciate a rest at 8-15 ºC (46-59 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of 20% normal garden soil, 40% leaf mulch and 40% coarse sand or a commercial cactus substrate with 15% coarse sand.

Water moderately in spring and summer, waiting until the substrate has completely dried; reduce watering in fall and do not water in winter. The plant warns that it needs water when the leaves are wrinkled.

Fertilize once a month in spring with a mineral fertilizer for cacti and succulents.

They can be attacked by mealybugs and fungi if there is excess moisture.

They are propagated by stem or leaf cuttings in summer and from seeds sown in spring.