The Ultimate Guide to Growing and Caring for Jade Plants
If you’re looking for a hardy, low-maintenance plant that adds a touch of greenery to your home or office, look no further than the Jade Plant (Crassula ovata). This popular succulent houseplant, also known as the “money tree” or “friendship tree,” is prized for its glossy, jade-green leaves and easy-to-care-for nature. In this article, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide to growing and caring for your Jade Plant.
About Jade Plant
| Common Name | Jade plant |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Crassula ovata |
| Other Names |
|
| Family | Crassulaceae/Stonecrops |
| Max. Height | 5-6 ft. |
| Poison Property | Mildly toxic if ingested For Pets |
Planting Your Jade Plant
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, growing a jade plant at home is a great way to enjoy its glossy, jade-green leaves and add a touch of natural beauty to your indoor space.Growing a jade plant at home is a simple and rewarding experience that can provide you with beautiful and lush foliage all year round. By following below simple steps, you can ensure that your jade plant stays healthy and thrives for years to come.
Soil for crassula ovata:
Choosing the right pot and soil is crucial for the health and growth of your jade plant. For the money plant, you shouldn’t use regular soil, which has much moisture.
Porous and well-drained soil is considered as best for this plant. You can buy online or use a mixture of sand, potting soil & pertile.
Recommended pot:
Select a pot that is 2 inches wider than the root ball of the money plant. It must have a drainage hole at its bottom.
While placing the jade plant into the container, make sure the root ball is one inch below the rim of the pot. We do this to provide some room for water.
Propagation of jade plant:
Once you’ve chosen the right pot and soil, it’s time to propagate jade plant. We can propagate a jade plant by using its stem or using its leaves.
Propagation by using stem:
Take a 3 to the 4-inch long stem of jade plant. Let the stem to dry out completely (It may take 1 to 2 weeks). After it dried out, you can insert it into the soil.
Propagation by using leaves:
If your jade plant is in its child age and its stem are not long enough to use for propagation, then you can use its leaves. Cut a leaf, let it dry completely, insert it into to the soil from the stem side.
Re-potting jade plant
When a jade plant becomes younger enough that the current pot is no more according to its size, it’s time for repotting this lucky plant. Warm-season is the best time of repotting.
For repoting, wait to dry out the soil thoroughly. When you confirmed about its dry condition, put it out from the current pot, don’t use the old soil, cut the dead or fungicide roots. After that place it carefully in a new one which is perfect according to its size. Don’t water & fertilize it immediately, wait for 5 to 7 days. After that water jade plant slowly to reduce the risk of root rot.
How to care jade plant?
Jade plants (Crassula ovata) are easy to care for and can thrive in a variety of indoor and outdoor conditions. Here are some basic tips to help you care for your jade plant:
Light conditions for money plant:
If you wish that your money plant should have thicker and stronger leaves, then it demands bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid burning sunlight as it can harm its leaves.
For summer plantation of money plant, select a shady place & for indoor choose a shiny area. Next to the south-facing window is the best option for house plantation.
If you’re growing your plant indoors, make sure it’s not in a drafty or cold area.
And if this type of location is not available in your house or indoor working place, you can use artificial grow lights.
Watering Carasulla Ovata:
Similar to other plants, watering is the essential thing in caring for a jade plant. Be moderate while watering this plant.
Jade plants store water in their leaves, which means they don’t need to be watered frequently.
Overwatering can lead to root rot and can harm the plant but it may also start losing its leaves or start showing spots due to little water.
The best time to water a jade plant is when the top of the soil feels dry to touch. Reduce watering to once in a month in winter.
Jade plants are sensitive to salty water. If your tap water is saltier, then you have to use diluted or filtered water.
Required temperature for crassula ovata:
Crassula ovata or money plant has the capability of withstanding in cold condition only for short period. They can survive in between 40°F to 75° F. Jade plant prefers warm conditions and can grow better at 70° F temperature. Please keep it away from air-conditioned areas of your house.
It is better for a jade plant to move it outside in summer to provide it more temperature but again avoid direct sun.
Humidity level:
The lucky plant doesn’t like humidity. Even we can say it is a desert plant. If you live in a low humid area, then move jade plant to that place where they can get direct dry air.
However, if you are in a high-humid area with high ratio of water present in air, keep your jade to low-humid regions such as near to heater.
Fertilizing jade plant:
To boost the natural strength of the soil, keep feeding it with care. Fertilize your jade plant once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
If your jade starts dropping its leaves, it means the plant is hungry of nitrogen. You can use fish emulsion to provide nitrogen to money plant or use 10:20:10 ratio for Phosphorus, Nitrogen, and Potassium.
Pruning Your Jade Plant:
Jade plants can grow up to six feet tall in their natural habitat, but they can be kept much smaller with regular pruning. To encourage bushy growth, pinch back the tips of new growth. You can also remove any leggy or diseased branches to keep your plant looking its best.
Caring Tips for jade plant
| Suitable Soil |
|
|---|---|
| Watering |
|
| Light | Jade plant requires more light for better growth |
| Temperature | 40°F to 75° F |
| Humidity | Jade dislike humidity. Keep it near to dry air |
Interesting Fact about Jade Plant
Symbol of good luck:
In Chinese culture, jade plants are considered to be a symbol of good luck and prosperity. They believe that the round leaves of the jade plant represent coins, that’s the reason they call it a lucky plant, money plant, and dollar plant. They keep jade plant just after the entrance door because they have faith in “Jade by the door, poor no more”
In China, many business places, especially restaurants have a jade plant close by the door supposing it will bring more customer.
Some people also consider the jade plant as the symbol of friendship, and they call it a friendship plant.
Long-lived:
Jade plants are known for their longevity and can live for decades if cared for properly. There are reports of jade plants living for over 100 years!
Used in traditional medicine:
In traditional medicine, jade plants have been used to treat a variety of ailments such as nausea, diarrhea, and diabetes.
Can be grown as a bonsai:
Jade plants can be trained to grow as bonsai trees, which are miniature trees that are pruned and shaped to resemble mature trees. This is a fun and creative way to grow jade plants.
In conclusion, jade plants are a great addition to any indoor or outdoor space due to their attractive foliage properties, and easy-to-care-for nature. By following the tips outlined above, you can ensure that your jade plant stays healthy and beautiful for years to come.
Additionally, the rich cultural history and traditional medicinal uses of jade plants add an interesting layer of intrigue to this already fascinating succulent.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice plant parent, a jade plant is a great choice for a low-maintenance and visually striking addition to your plant collection.
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