Crassula ovata – Jade Plant, Money Tree

The Crassula ovata, or Jade Plant, is a classic succulent, revered for its robustness and its symbolism of luck and prosperity. Native to South Africa, it is famous for its appearance reminiscent of a miniature bonsai tree, with a thick trunk that becomes woody with age and fleshy, oval, glossy green leaves. It is an incredibly durable and easy-to-care-for plant, perfect for beginners and collectors alike.

Characteristics

• Foliage: Its evergreen leaves are fleshy, smooth, and oval-shaped. They store water, allowing the plant to tolerate drought. A beautiful jade green, the edges of the leaves can take on a red tint when exposed to intense, direct sun.
• Light: It loves bright light. A few hours of direct sunlight, such as near a south or west-facing window, is ideal and encourages compact growth and beautiful colouration. It can tolerate medium light but may become "leggy" (stretch out).
• Habit: Its habit is upright, bushy, and branching. Over time, its main stems thicken to form true little trunks, giving it its tree-like appearance.
• Growth: Growth is slow to moderate. It is a plant of patience that can live for decades and be passed down through generations.
• Humidity: It has no humidity requirements and perfectly tolerates the dry air of our homes.
• Potting Mix: Excellent drainage is essential. A cactus and succulent mix is the best option to prevent any water from stagnating.
• Watering: It is a typical succulent. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. It is crucial not to overwater, as it is very sensitive to root rot. In winter, reduce the frequency even more.
• Resistances: Extremely resistant to drought and forgotten waterings.

Use

• Types of Use: Perfect in a pot as a specimen plant on a desk, a shelf, or near a sunny window. It can be grown like a bonsai. It can spend the summer outside in the sun (after acclimatizing).
• Decorative Benefits: Its sculptural appearance and miniature tree look make it an architectural focal point. It is easy to maintain and is renowned for bringing good luck.

Care

• Fertilizing: Fertilize sparingly. A cactus or succulent fertilizer, diluted to half-strength, 2 to 3 times during the growing season (spring-summer) is more than enough.
• Pruning: It responds very well to pruning. You can prune it to encourage denser branching or to sculpt its shape.
• Repotting: It likes to be a little tight in its pot. Repot only every 2 to 4 years, when the roots fill the pot, using a fresh, well-draining potting mix.