The Jade Plant (Crassula Ovata), also known as “Money Plant” or “Lucky Plant,” is a broadleaf evergreen succulent. This plant originates from South Africa and Mozambique.
Its leaves are thick and fleshy with blunt tips, making them look like fresh cuts. Flowers grow on short stems in clusters at the end of branches. The flowers are small, with five petals that curve back towards the center of the flower. They come in pink and white, depending on their variety. The Jade Plant is one of the most popular plants for indoor decoration because it stays relatively small and does not need much water or light to thrive in an office environment or a living room setting.
Crassula ovata Main Characteristics
| Common Name | Jade Plant, Money Plant, Lucky Plant, Money Tree |
| Botanical Name | Crassula ovata |
| Synonyms | Cotyledon lutea, Cotyledon ovata, Crassula argentea, Crassula articulata Zuccagni, Crassula nitida Schönland, Crassula obliqua Aiton, Crassula portulacea |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Genus | Crassula |
| Type | Succulent Evergreen |
| Native Range | South Africa, Mozambique |
| Common Cultivars | Red Dwarf Jade Plant, Gollum, Tricolor, Undulata, Hummel’s Sunset |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | 11 to 12 |
| Mature Size | Height: 3-6 feet; Spread: 2-3 feet |
| Bloom Time | Seasonal bloomer |
| Foliage | Broadleaf Evergreen |
| Propagation methods | by seeds, by cuttings |
| Sun | Full sun or Partial Shade |
| Soil | Dry, Good Drainage |
| Toxicity | toxic to humans, horses, dogs, and cats |
Crassula Ovata Care
Jade plants are the perfect houseplant. They’re succulent, easy to care for, and can be grown in any soil (though they prefer a dry environment). And while they might not bring you wealth like their mythological namesake is said to do, they will undoubtedly make your home feel alive and welcoming.
Light and Location
Conditions for Money Plants are similar to cacti but less drought-tolerant. They love bright sunlight and frost-free conditions. But every once in a while, they appreciate some shade from the scorching afternoon sun. Near a window that gets plenty of sunlight would be the perfect spot.
This remains true for their entire lifecycle, except when you want to induce bloom, usually near fall. When this time comes, keep the plant in a cool location with little light. A few weeks in, you should have your first flowers blooming.
Watering
Water your Crassula Ovata sparingly. Allow the soil to become completely dry between waterings. Water the plant just enough to moisten the soil; over-watering will cause the roots to rot. Water even less in winter but don’t stop altogether; arid soil is not healthy for the leaves.
Temperature
It usually wants temperatures around 18–24°C (65– 75°F) all year. It can tolerate the occasional cold snap, depending on the intensity. Anything below 10 C in winter is too much. But to encourage flowering, you will want to keep this plant in cold locations at around 55˚F in late autumn before winter hits. Remember to water during this period.
Humidity
The robust plant thrives in a wide range of conditions. It can survive with little to no moisture and still produce lush growth. Humidity fluctuations usually have no impact on this plant’s health.
Fertilizer
Some people believe these plants need to be fertilized every two months, while others say they are okay with using them less often. It all depends on how the plant is growing. But remember not to feed the plant anything during winter.
Pruning
The Crassula ovata is a beautiful succulent that can grow into an attractive bonsai specimen or sculpture. When pruned in the spring, cutting back branches encourages new root growth and makes it easier for this tenacious plant to support its heavy leafy burden without toppling over on you!
Types (Cultivars) of Crassula ovata
There are plenty of known cultivars of the Crassula ovata. Here are some of the more famous ones
- Red Dwarf Jade Plant
- Gollum
- Tricolor
- Undulata
- Hummel’s Sunset
- Variegata
Both Gollum and Hummel’s Sunset have received the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
This plant will experience significant stress and might even die if exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees F (4.4 degrees C) or above 100 degrees F (38 degrees C).
How to propagate Jade plant
Propagating succulent plants by cuttings is popular because of its ease, especially with plants like the Crassula ovata. To go by the cutting method, you will need:
- A healthy Parent Plant
- Sharp scissors or clippers
- Potting soil
- A container or pot
The first step of the propagation method of a succulent plant is to take your cutting from a healthy, established parent plant. It requires some gentle twisting and pulling on the stem of the parent plant until it breaks off. It is best to take a cutting between 3 and 6 inches in length. Cutting surfaces should be allowed time for healing before inserting into soil or dirt with good drainage; this will help speed the rooting of your new plant!
Next, fill your container or pot with potting soil, preferably dry. Insert the succulent cutting so that the top of the cutting is at the soil level. Press the dirt around the cutting and water well.
You can also use seeds for new plants, usually sown in spring or summer. But using stem cuttings is an all-around more straightforward process, and it’s what most gardeners do.
Potting and Repotting Crassula ovata
The potting method of the Crassula ovata is critical to ensure that the plant thrives. When potting a Money Plant, using a well-draining soil mix is essential. The best potting mixes are those without moisture-retentive components (like peat). To ensure good drainage, you can also use perlite and sharp sand in the topsoil.
This plant usually requires repotting after three to five years, depending on the speed of growth and the size of the pot. If you’re growing these plants to take advantage of their bonsai-like properties, it’s best to keep the pot size the same when repotting or lose their unique shape. Prune the stems, leaves, and roots to maintain the same form as before and plant gently into the new pot.
Toxicity
The Lucky plant is a member of the Crassulaceae family, which includes many species that can be toxic to animals, and this succulent is no different. This plant is toxic to horses, dogs, and cats and mildly toxic to humans.
Common Pests
Money plants are often fed upon by mealybugs, which can cause them to become deformed and infested. If an infestation occurs, use a mild strength insecticide or rubbing alcohol. Then, rub on all the leaves and the stems until the pests are gone. It could take weeks, depending on the severity.
Common Problems
Yellowing leaves?
Leaves can become yellowed when the plant is getting too much water. Check the soil for drainage issues if you’ve not been watering too often. If the soil is not well-drained, it can retain moisture, which results in overwatering.
Why is my Jade plant losing leaves?
If the falling leaves are already old, then this is perfectly normal. But if young leaves are dropping then, this could be due to a few different reasons.
- Sudden change in environment – This is the most likely reason if you’ve moved this plant recently. Please return it to its previous spot and move it to the new location increments at a time. Give it time to acclimate; it has a delicate temperament when it comes to changes in location.
- Over or Underwatering – Check the compost and feel the moisture with your fingers. Water if the soil is dry but not if it is soggy.
Are the leaves and stems shriveled?
The leaves getting shriveled is a sure sign of underwatering. But be careful when giving it water, small doses at a time. You don’t want to overcorrect and end up on the other side of the spectrum.
Leggy plant?
Just give the plant more sunlight. But not too quickly; you don’t want the young leaves becoming agitated and dropping off the stems. Move it to the new spot in increments, give it time to adjust.
Complete Crassula Ovata (Lucky Plant) Care Guide (Video)
FAQ
How to care for Crassula ovata?
A Crassula ovata requires very little care, making it an excellent choice for people new to gardening. Some key things to remember; you should only water them when the soil feels dry to the touch. They need plenty of sunlight and the occasional pruning. And they can survive at most temperatures but not below freezing.
How often to water Jade plant?
Water this plant only when the soil becomes dry to the touch. Don’t overwater as that will lead to the plant losing leaves but don’t let the soil dry.
How to prune a Jade plant?
Try to prune these plants in the spring season as that’s the best time to do it. It encourages the stem to grow to support the rest of the plant. Pruning is also the first step to bonsai sculpturing, as this plant is considered the go-to choice for amateur enthusiasts.
Attribution
“Jade plant / Crassula ovata / 縁紅弁慶(フチベニベンケイ)” by TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋) is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Crassula ovata cv ‘Gollum'” by Zruda is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0