Crassula Ovata Jade
$35.00
Light: Most Crassula plants need some shade in the hottest part of summer, but require bright light to attain their most vibrant color. When grown outdoors, a site with morning sun and afternoon shade is perfect. Placed in full sun, the leaves can scald, though it won’t kill the plant. When grown indoors, place Crassula plants in a spot that receives bright indirect light all day, or direct sun for a few hours of the day.
Soil: Crassula plants need soil that is very well-draining, and they will do fine in sandy, rocky soils. They prefer a neutral to slightly acidic soil, but even extreme pH levels rarely kill the plant.
Water: These are succulent plants related to the stonecrops, and they prefer sparse watering, with the soil drying out completely before being watered again. During cooler months, give them a good drenching and then allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Crassula plants go dormant when the temperature gets hot in summer and need even less water. When grown indoors, watering should be minimized from late fall through winter, as the plants go semi-dormant during this time.
Temperature and Humidity: Crassulas can be grown outdoors as perennials in zones 9 through 12, but elsewhere you will need to bring them in for the winter or grow them as houseplants. Some species will tolerate a mild frost, but temperatures below 30 degrees Fahrenheit may be enough to kill them off. Jades and other Crassula species prefer low humidity, but they also survive nicely in very humid climates.
Fertilizer: Feed this plant sparingly. You can give your plants a little organic fertilizer in mid-spring, as they start actively growing, but further feeding is not necessary.
Potting and Repotting: When grown as indoor plants, Crassula plants prefer a porous, somewhat dry potting mix, but one that also has some organic material in it. A cactus/ succulent mix with some extra peat moss mixed in is ideal. Make sure the pot has good drainage, as these plants don’t like to have soggy roots. Pot them up to a larger container when the plants become very overgrown—every 2 to 3 years when the plants are young, then every 4 to 5 years for mature plants.
Propagating Crassula Plants: Crassula plants are generally propagated from leaf- or stem-cuttings, or by dividing the root clumps. Starting new plants is as easy as sticking the end of a leaf or stem cutting in a dryish potting mix, keeping it slightly moist, and waiting for roots to sprout.