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jade plant (Crassula ovata)

Crassula ovata is a perennial, evergreen succulent shrub or subshrub with an upright to spreading, much-branched habit, becoming small-tree-like at maturity.

LightCrassula ovata does best in bright light to full sun with ventilation, and indoors it should receive ample light; it takes full sun. Avoid moving it suddenly from a dark location into intense sunlight, which can damage t
WaterCrassula ovata is drought tolerant; use a well-drained medium, water thoroughly after the soil dries, and avoid overwatering. Water can be provided moderately during the growing season, then reduced from autumn through w
HumidityIt is generally reported to prefer low humidity and need good airflow.
TemperatureWith few sources available, reported temperatures are about 0 °C at the minimum, about 15–24 °C as ideal, and about 27 °C at the maximum. Sources differ on its hardiness-zone classification, while it is generally reporte
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Overview

Crassula ovata is a perennial, evergreen succulent shrub or subshrub with an upright to spreading, much-branched habit, becoming small-tree-like at maturity.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on its native range, describing southern Africa and, more specifically, the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and Mozambique. Its natural habitats include rocky slopes, hills and fields, scrub among open woodland, and sheltered ravines, including well-drained settings such as sandy clay. It occurs in subtropical to warm, relatively dry, well-drained environments and does not tolerate prolonged hot, humid conditions or severe frost.

Characteristics

Sources differ on mature height, placing it at about 150–300 cm, while a single source reports a mature spread of about 100–150 cm. It is reported to grow slowly and has opposite, thick, fleshy, hairless, glossy leaves that are usually jade green to dark green, chiefly obovate but also described as elliptical to spoon-shaped, often with red margins; it stores water in its leaves. The small, star-shaped flowers are white to pale pink and borne in clusters; sources differ on flowering time, with flowering mainly described in cooler periods, commonly winter or late autumn through winter, but also recorded in late summer or spring in different growing regions. It is reported to produce follicles containing many small seeds.

Light

Crassula ovata does best in bright light to full sun with ventilation, and indoors it should receive ample light; it takes full sun. Avoid moving it suddenly from a dark location into intense sunlight, which can damage the leaves.

Watering

Crassula ovata is drought tolerant; use a well-drained medium, water thoroughly after the soil dries, and avoid overwatering. Water can be provided moderately during the growing season, then reduced from autumn through winter, when conditions can be kept relatively dry.

Humidity and airflow

It is generally reported to prefer low humidity and need good airflow.

Temperature and dormancy

With few sources available, reported temperatures are about 0 °C at the minimum, about 15–24 °C as ideal, and about 27 °C at the maximum. Sources differ on its hardiness-zone classification, while it is generally reported to tolerate brief light frost and it rests in winter. A single source places its cold minimum at about 0 °C. It is reported to shed leaves to reduce water loss when conditions become too hot or too dry.

Growing medium and mounting

Use a well-drained succulent or potting medium; sources also describe a well-drained medium containing loam. Crassula ovata needs a fast-draining mix and is prone to rot.

Feeding

During the growing period, fertilizer may be applied sparingly; sources describe using general liquid fertilizer from spring through summer or a small amount of slow-release chemical fertilizer or liquid fertilizer in spring.

Propagation

Crassula ovata can be propagated by stem or leaf cuttings; other species information also records propagation by seed and offsets. Sources also describe root cuttings, stem cuttings, and leaf cuttings as propagation methods.

Common problems

Potential pests include mealybugs, aphids, scale insects, mites, and weevils. Sources differ on disease problems: some cultivation information lists rust, scab, and soft rot, while RHS describes Crassula ovata as generally having few disease problems. Overwatering or persistently wet growing medium can cause rot, root rot, or leaf drop; a sudden move from dark conditions into strong light can damage leaves, while insufficient light can hinder flowering or cause the leaves of 'Hummel's Sunset' to turn green. It is sensitive to hot and humid conditions, prolonged wetness, and severe frost, but can briefly tolerate temperatures near freezing when the medium is dry.

Identification

Crassula ovata has thick, succulent stems and branches with paired, thick, glossy leaves whose margins are often red; older plants develop brown stems and a small-tree-like appearance. 'Hummel's Sunset' is identified here as a cultivar of Crassula ovata.

Photos

Crassula ovata
📷 Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source

Sources