Jade Plants are unique species of succulents that are enjoyed by many succulent lovers, even the beginners.
They are special in particular because of their tree-like features. These houseplants can remain good looking all the time although they require a minimal care. Best of it all, Jade Plants are believed to bring luck and money to a home!
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I am sure that you cannot wait to get a Jade Plant to care if you do not have one. But first, read up till the end, and find out how to care for a best looking Jade Plant.
Identification of the Species: Crassula Ovata
Origin
Jade Plants are named binomially as Crassula Ovata from the genus Crassula. But they are largely known as Jade Plant, because the dark green color of the leaves is resembling Jade. This succulent is also called lucky plant, money plant or money tree.
Although they are native to South Africa and Mozambique, we see them commonly grown as houseplants these days.
Description
Jade Plants are perennial and evergreen plant species. Since they are types of succulents, we can say that they are very resilient in most of the difficult situations when compared to other pot plants.
You can recognize a Crassula Ovata by the fleshy and spoon-shaped, shiny dark green leaves that are clustering on the wooden-like branches of its stem. The leaves are thick and oval at the edges and sometimes turn a reddish hue due to good sunlight.
Level of Care
Jade Plant is a hardy succulent, so it is able to stay alive by itself even it is forgotten or neglected for ages!
If you struggle about keeping the plants healthy, this one is great for you. There are only a few critical tricks you should learn before. And then there is no need for many effort or time to spend for your succulent.
Size and Growth
In nature, Jade Plants are dispersing around with the help of wind and animals. But for the commercial purposes, they are usually propagated by the cuttings of leaves or stem.
The thick stem of the Jade Plant grows short branches that carry the leaves. The height of the stem can grow around 1 meter or much taller if not pruned regularly and properly.
See Also: Crassula Arborescens
Crassula Arborescens is the other Crassula that is sometimes called Jade Plant. This type is commonly known with the names like Silver Jade, Chinese Jade, Money Plant.
But Crassula Aborescens can easily be differentiated from Crassula Ovata by the look of its leaves. If you have difficulty distinguishing two sister succulents, silver and shiny leaves will guide you. Especially in winter, it will have white or pink flowers that will brighten your well-decorated room.
Growing Conditions: Indoors or Outdoors?
Jade Plants can resist extreme situations. They are hardy for drought and hot. Yet, keep in mind that under those intense circumstances, for example keeping plant outdoors for a long summer, branches can weaken and become pale.
Lastly, moving the pots inside in the wintertime would be a better choice for your lovely succulents.
How to Pot Jade Plant?
Start with a deep and wide planter that is made from a heavy material. As time goes by your Jade Plant might grow out of its pot. It may require to check weather it is oversized and heavy for its pot or not. As a result, you will need a bigger and firm pot as a consequence of thickened upper body.
Let’s see the best conditions for the placement of the Jade Plant. I know you are antsy, but we are coming up to the point that how can you care your own Jade Plant. Be patient!
Ideal Temperature
Keep the plant at the good warmth. The Jade Plants can be kept alive without trouble and worries. But the best indoor condition is room temperature.
They can tolerate some extraordinary conditions although the preferable range is within 18 – 23 degrees Celcius in the daytime and 10 – 12 degrees Celcius in the nighttime.
Can Jade Plants Grown Indoors?
Yes, we can simply say that they can. Besides, Jade Plants can live indoors easily even without frequent care. They can make the perfect indoor plants like some of the other succulent types just as the other species I listed for you in this article.
How to Care for a Jade Plant?
Sunlight
As mentioned above, sunlight is one of the essentials for the care of Jade Plants. The best case is to place your plant in a spot where it can have direct sun 5 hours a day at most.
To maintain Jade Plants shiny and gorgeous, you may prefer not to keep them under direct sun for long hours.
Additionally, dramatic environmental changes may cause adaptation problems. For example, try to move your plant to a brighter place gradually, so it reaches the desired brightness step by step.
Watering
Like the other succulents, excess watering is the worst thing you can do to a Crassula Ovata. Although the amount of water is relatively higher than the other houseplants, the frequency of irrigation is much less.
You can either sink the pot inside the water or pour a good amount of water directly into the soil. Then, you need to wait until all the excess water goes away before you repeat the process.
Crassula Ovata does not need a frequent watering. I can easily understand when the succulent needs another watering by checking if the soil is completely dry from top to bottom.
Drainage
The soil that touches to roots must be dry all the time. That is the reason why you need a good draining succulent soil and a pot with large drainage holes.
A good drainage must certainly be provided for Jade Plants in order to keep the soil dry. Otherwise, roots will start to rot if they stay in a wet soil for a long time. Keep in mind it is really difficult to recover an overwatered succulent.
Pruning
Did you know that Jade Plants can grow up to five feet tall? So, pruning is a good way to keep the plant nice and neat. You should remove the leaves that are fallen off from time to time.
And you can pick up any leaves to give the body a good shape unless you do not cut the major stem. This can kill the plant. Mostly the decision is up to you and your sense of aesthetics.
Dusting
Domestic or exterior dust will accumulate on the leaves of your Jade Plant. There is an easy way to get rid of the dust. Keep it under the rain for a watering! But, don’t forget to take it inside again and let it dry.
Fertilizing
Use fertilizer sparingly on Jade Plants, and only when there are signs of growth. At the growth phase, they tend to absorb more nutrients and grow bigger. These nutrients will help them to be strong and upstanding.
Repotting
As I mentioned above, re-potting is often needed for Jade Plants. The regular process is like this:
Remove the succulent from its pot only if the soil is dry, and leave it to dry for about a week before placing it inside a new pot. Begin to water lightly at this point to lower the chances of root rot. The newly-potted plant should not be fertilized for a few months.
Steps for Propagation of Jade Plant
- Choose a cutting: You can regenerate a new Crassula Ovata using healthy leaves in addition to seeds of its fruit.
- Allow the stem to dry out a bit: It will lead the new roots formation.
- Plant the Jade: Use a thin cylindrical object to create a hole in the soil, place the stem into the hole as if it helps the stem stand alone, although the soil also supports the stem.
Does Jade Plant Give Flowers?
Yes, They have white or light pink, star-shaped flowers arranged in tight, round clusters. They show off their flowers around the transitions from winter to summer. Be careful that the blossoms are attractive for the flies and insects, and even for us…
Are Jade Plants Poisonous?
Jade Plants are very poisonous to dogs and cats. The symptoms can be devastating on the pets including vomiting, depression or coordination disorders. It immediately requires medical help.
There are several ways to prevent your pet eating Jade Plant. You can use plant-safe deterrent sprays or just replace with a high altitude location. Those will save the lives of both your plants and your pets.
Although they are poisonous for the animals, Jade Plants have some healing effects on the human body under correct circumstances. They are often used to treat warts, or ingested in moderation for diarrhea.
How To Bonsai A Jade Plant?
One of the most exciting features of this plants is that it is a major beginning tool for bonsai enthusiasts. Crassula Ovata is advised for the absolute bonsai beginners because they are durable and easy to prune.
- First, wait for your little Jade Plant to grow a longer stem.
- Prune the unnecessary branches to make it a bit neater.
- And start to wire the stem with the branches to create a bonsai tree.
Black or White Spots on Jade Plant
Unfortunately, scale insects are common pests of Crassula Ovata and can cause deformation of the plant during growth. Take care of any bug infestations as soon as possible. It is not something common. Nevertheless, all possible bug infestations should be evaluated by immediate care.
The few times I have found white spots on my jade plant, I basically swept them off gently and the plant was not harmed.
Furthermore, overwatering and sunburns are two major causes of black spots on the leaves. Never leave your plant under the direct sun for a long time. Sunburns are impossible to turn back for the succulents.
Benefits of Jade Plants
I find it really interesting that the Feng Shui experts even tried to use Crassula Ovata to heal and maintain the body. The leaves are sometimes used for the treatment of epilepsy.
One last benefit, there is a belief that Jade Plant comes with luck and money. That’s why another name of it is Money Plant. It also appears as a “Money Attracter Plant“.
Eventually, these durable and excentric succulents are everyone’s favorite who would like to bring luck to the home or give a present to a loved one in need of some. Follow a few easy tips and you should be good to go!
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