Crassula Plants

Description

• The jade plant tends to grow in a many-branched, shrublike growth pattern, attaining a mature height of 2 1/2 to 8 feet. Its soft branches are covered in a smooth, gray-brown bark and can become gnarled with age. Older jade plants may display long, horizontal strips of peeling bark.This plant is most easily identified by its glossy, thick, juicy, rounded, dark green leaves, which stay attached year round. These leaves are typically between 1 and 3 inches long and 3/4 to 1 1/2 inches wide. They may be lined with a thin, red margin. During the winter months, showy clusters of fragrant light pink blossoms emerge, ultimately giving way to tiny seed capsules.

Growing Conditions

• Like all succulents, jade plants excel at conserving water in their substantial leaves. Therefore, they require a minimal amount of water to flourish. Too little water, however, will lead to stunted growth. These plants should be watered thoroughly, then let dry out completely before the next watering. Soil mixtures containing at least 50 percent organic matter are preferred. Potting mixture formulated for African violets is a good choice. Jade plants thrive in sunny conditions. Ideal air temperatures for jade plants range from 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime and 50 to 55 degrees after sunset. Jade plants may be propagated from long stem cuttings in spring. From spring until fall they may benefit from an application of balanced fertilizer every other week.

Varieties

• Not all jade plants have purely green leaves. Over the years, several interesting cultivated varieties have been developed. Bronze Beauty, also known as copper jade tree, is a slow-growing jade plant bearing small, coppery, penny-like leaves. California Red Tip, also known as red jade tree, produces foliage lined with bright purplish-red. Sunset, or golden jade tree, a large, robust variety, grows gold and salmon tipped leaves. Tricolor jade plants have variegated leaves combining green, cream and bubblegum-pink hues.

Uses

• In its native southern Africa, members of the Khoisan tribe have utilized the roots of the jade plant as a source of food. A remedy is concocted by boiling this plant's leaves in milk which is used to treat corns, epilepsy and diarrhea In the Chinese practice of feng shui, jade plants are placed in homes to bless residents with good fortune and riches. In this context, the plant is grown in square pots bearing lion feet, and is referred to as money tree, penny plant, dollar plant and tree of happiness.