Jade tree (lat. Crassula ovata) is a popular ornamental plant that comes from the crassula family. Due to their great diversity, plants from this family can be found all over the world, but the most popular for cultivation are decorative succulents from the area of southern Africa. Some of the most famous are living stone, stone flower and guard house. The Latin name of the jade tree comes from the word crassus, which means thick and is associated with its leaves, and in the people it is also called the money tree, the tree of happiness or friendship. The name jade tree was given because of the bright green color of the leaves, which resembles jade.
The jade tree is an evergreen succulent perennial that most often grows in the form of a small tree and is grown as an ornamental plant. It can reach a height of up to 1.5 meters and a maximum crown width of up to 50 cm. The stem is upright and straight, brown in color and with cracked bark, and the branches are short and thick, usually green in color until their bark becomes woody. The leaves can grow up to 7 cm, they are oval with smooth edges, fleshy and shiny. The plant blooms from August to October, and the flowers are clustered with five white or white-pink petals.
Although it is a very well-known houseplant in our region, the jade tree can be found in its natural environment in parts of southern Africa. It is popular for its fleshy leaves, attractive appearance and easy maintenance, and there is a popular superstition that growing it brings good luck and wealth.
Types
Considering that the jade tree is one of the more popular ornamental plants, there are many cultivars that have been cultivated for the beauty of the leaves and the forms that can be achieved through cultivation. It is believed that there are more than 300 types of crasula, which differ primarily in the shape and color of the leaves. We bring you some of the most popular cultivars and how they differ.
Crassula rupetris
This type of crassula is popular for decoration and growing with other plants because of its decorative, fleshy and triangular leaves that form irregular triangles. It grows in several stems and is extremely resistant to weather conditions and changes.
Crassula arborescens
This krasula is also called the silver dollar plant because of its round and fleshy silver leaves. It comes from southern Africa and can grow from 2 to 4 meters. It is interesting because of its compact growth and silvery leaves that grow from the beginning of the stem without forming a trunk.
Crassula muscosa
This decorative marigold comes from Namibia and is interesting because of its drooping and thin fleshy branches that are sprinkled with small and compact leaves. It is extremely resistant to prolonged drought and harsh conditions, so it is often used as a decoration in potted plants.
Crassula “Hummel’s Sunset”
This is one of the most beautiful and award-winning cultivars of jade wood. Although it forms characteristic stems and thick fleshy leaves, they are special because of the reddish border in contrast with the green color of the center.
Crassula “Tricolor”
This is another popular and fast growing cultivar that blooms with pink flowers. The leaves are dotted with shades of green and white and grow directly from the stem and soil. It forms a creeping form and is excellent as a ground cover.
Crassula marnieriana
This crassula is known as the jade necklace because it forms long and creeping branches with many dense fleshy leaves. It is very decorative and fast-growing, and can be greenish or reddish in color.
Cultivation
Given that the jade tree is a type of succulent, its cultivation is quite simple and successful, and below we provide tips that can help with this.
Matching cultures
The jade tree is a good plant for planting in pots with other species, but it is most suitable for combining with other succulents. Given that it adapts well to cramped conditions and lack of space, it can be planted in combination with plants growing in the immediate vicinity. It is preferable to plant it with plants of similar growing requirements to help them adapt, such as other succulents.
Watering
Watering of jade wood mostly depends on the season, so during the summer watering can be increased, while during the winter it is almost completely stopped. It is important to use soft water, such as distilled water or rainwater, and water directly under the roots. It is optimal to water the plant once every 14 days or check by hand when the soil is completely dry. Too much water can cause the leaves to fall off, and too little water causes the leaves to shrivel.
Fertilization
The jade tree likes mineral soil, but does not like the addition of chemicals and mineral fertilizers. The plant can be fertilized once a year with a liquid fertilizer for cacti and most often before flowering to encourage the opening of the flower. Supplements in winter and aggressive fertilizers should be avoided.
Propagation
The jade tree is propagated by leaf or stem cuttings. If it is propagated by leaf, a healthy and mature leaf is simply taken and the lower part, which was attached to the stem, is placed in the ground. It takes about a month to take root, during which it is watered moderately. Stem cuttings are cut with a sterile knife by selecting a twig 5 to 15 cm long and cutting it along the trunk. It needs to be air-dried for two days and placed in a mixture of soil and sand. It is watered moderately, only when the soil is completely dry. It needs to be transplanted after a month when it takes root.
Transplantation
It can take up to several years to transplant a jade tree into a larger container, and it depends on its growth. As most species grow quickly, it needs to be transplanted as soon as the root emerges from the bottom of the container, which can be every year. The plant grows faster when it is younger, so then the need for transplanting is greater. It is transplanted in the spring into the soil for cacti, and in order to shape and compact the stem, it is possible to shorten the roots and branches and transplant it into a container of the same size. After transplanting, it is necessary to wait at least a week before watering so that the roots can take root, and fertilizing should be avoided for the first two months. It is optimal to choose heavier containers, because over time its canopy becomes heavy and the plant can topple over, so stakes can be used as support.
Ground
The plant likes sandy and airy soils, so it is optimal to use cacti soil for planting. It is important to ensure good drainage, so it is necessary to place larger stones or pebbles at the bottom of the container. Heavy and acidic soils should be avoided because the roots rot easily in them.
Climate
Given that the jade tree originates from Africa, it suits a warm and dry climate, so in our areas it is mostly grown as a house plant. Although it likes a lot of light, it needs to be protected from direct sunlight and sudden changes, as well as from direct wind. It cannot withstand temperatures below 0°C, and the optimal temperature in winter is from 10 to 16°C, while in summer there is no upper limit.
Planting
If you want to plant your own jade tree, here are some of the most practical tips to get the desired results.
Planting time
The jade tree likes warm weather, so it is only transplanted during April or May to help it adapt to the new conditions. The minimum temperature for seed germination is 25°C, so it is important to ensure proper growth conditions.
Choosing the substrate for planting
Considering the large number of cultivars that appear, the jade tree can also be grafted. Most often, it is grafted onto one of the subspecies of tustika in order to make it easier to receive, and grafting is best done with a young branch cutting. In this way, the colors of the leaves change, but different directions of growth can also be obtained.
Planting from seed
Planting from seeds is very rare, because not every plant blooms and seeds are difficult to find. If we want to sow it, it is important to use healthy seeds from proven sources. The seeds are placed in a mixture of sandy soil for cacti, covered with plastic film and left at a minimum of 25°C to germinate. It needs to be watered every 14 days or when the soil dries out.
Planting seedlings
It is best to plant the seedling in the final place of growth when it has developed roots. Transplanting is done in the spring, during which the root can be shortened or the stem can be shaped. When planting, it is best to plant the seedling in a larger container so that it can remain in it for 3 to 5 years and develop unhindered.
Cultivation in the garden
In our areas, it is not possible to grow the jade tree outdoors because it cannot withstand temperatures below zero. Also, it does not tolerate salt water and is not a good choice for a garden by the sea, so it is most often grown as a house ornamental plant.
Cultivation in a greenhouse
Growing in a greenhouse is optimal for propagating jade wood because it maintains a constant temperature and air humidity. In autumn, the plant can be planted or seedlings are prepared, which will take root by the spring months. The plants in the greenhouse are watered manually, and the temperature must not fall below 10°C.
Cultivation in containers
Growing in containers is the most common and safest way to grow jade wood. It is important to provide a heavy pot that will bear the weight of the plant, so it is most often planted in clay pots. The plant needs to ensure good soil drainage, so larger pebbles are placed at the bottom of the pot. The correct mix of soil is that for cacti with a portion of sand, and the plant should be watered only when the soil is dry. The plant likes a lot of light, but it should be protected from direct sunlight, which can cause burns on the leaves. During the summer months, it is possible to take it outdoors, but protect it from direct sunlight and wind.
Maintenance and care
The jade tree is an extremely resistant plant that can survive for years and thanks to the low maintenance requirements, it is a good choice for anyone who does not have much time to sacrifice growing the plant.
Resting phase
The jade tree is dormant from autumn to spring, and then leaf growth is reduced. It is necessary to reduce watering and move it away from the direct influence of artificial heating.
Plantation maintenance
Plant maintenance includes removing weeds that can interfere with root development. It is best to pull it out by hand so as not to damage the root. In addition, the topsoil can be broken up to provide air to the soil. Occasionally the plant is taken out into the air to wash off the layer of dust, which can be done by hand with a damp cloth or the inside of a banana peel, or by showering the plant with a stream of water.
Pruning
The jade tree tolerates pruning and branch bending well, so it is a good plant for bonsai. Roots and branches can be pruned during spring to shape the look. The branch is cut at the stem, not in the middle, to reduce growth. Also, dry or diseased branches are removed in the spring so that they do not harm the rest of the plant.
Diseases
Although it is very resistant to weather conditions, the jade tree does not tolerate some diseases that can damage the appearance of the plant or dry out the plant as a whole. Below we present the most common diseases and how to fight them.
Black spotting
Black spotting is one of the most common diseases of jade wood and is characteristic of this species. This viral disease is transmitted by insects and causes black spots on the leaves. Spots can appear individually or in groups, and do not cause major damage, but rather a sickly appearance of the leaf. The plant can be protected from this phenomenon with insecticides.
Powdery mildew
Powdery mildew is a common plant that appears on leaves and spreads from one plant to another. It appears as a white web or spider web on the leaves, and is caused by a fungus. It can be fought preventively with the use of fungicides, and the plant must be planted in new soil in order to get rid of the spores and stop the development of the disease.
Soft rot bacteria
Soft rot is caused by several types of bacteria that are related to E. coli, and the most common indicator of its presence is rotting parts of the plant. The bacterium spreads very quickly from one part and easily infects the rest of the plant, leading to its death. In order to prevent the spread, it is necessary to cut off the infected part of the plant and transplant it into healthy soil.
Rotting of the roots
Root rot is another common disease that is not caused by an external pest, but by excessive watering and standing water. If the plant does not have good drainage, bacteria develop in the root area and it rots, which leads to damage to the entire plant. The disease can be prevented by proper watering and ensuring good soil drainage.
Pests
There are also several pests that can harm the appearance of the plant or its growth, and some of the most famous and ways to fight them are presented below.
Shield ears
Aphids are small insects that thrive in warm and dry conditions and most often appear on the reverse side of the leaf. They suck the plant’s juices, so the leaves shrivel, turn yellow and fall off. If they multiply a lot, they can attack the whole plant and cause it to die. It is best to get rid of them by spraying with an insecticide as soon as they appear to prevent further reproduction.
Aphids
Aphids are small insects of red or yellow color that live on the back of the leaf and suck the sap and destroy the plant cells and cause parts of the plant to decay. They most often appear in the spring, so the plant can be treated preventively with an insecticide. They can be solved by spraying, and in addition to artificial insecticides, a nettle solution in water (nettle fertilizer) can also be used.
Red spider
The red spider is a tiny insect from the mite family that attacks houseplants, so it can also live on a jade tree. It usually appears on the lower part of the leaf and is recognized by the small and silky webs in which it lays its eggs. It causes the leaves to die because it feeds on cell juices, and a large colony can damage the entire plant. It is easily transmitted, so the infected plant must be removed immediately, and they can be eliminated by using insecticides.
Using
The jade tree is not so widely used in our area, and it can cause indigestion in pets if they eat a leaf or part of the plant. It can cause vomiting, but no more serious symptoms have been reported. Also, the juices of some species can be irritating to human skin and cause redness or itching. Here are some of the ways it can be used.
Medicine
A jade plant is good to keep in the bedroom because it purifies the air and helps maintain humidity. By filtering the air, the plant moves negative particles that cause headaches or allergies. It also absorbs carbon dioxide during the night, unlike other plants that produce it to a greater extent.
In Chinese medicine and medicines of African tribes, it was used for digestive problems, wound healing and as a medicine for diabetes. For skin problems, its juice was applied to the affected area for 3 days or until the eczema subsided.
Tea from the leaves of the jade tree has been used in Chinese folk medicine to reduce the symptoms of diabetes. Before each use, it is necessary to consult an expert, and all species that have been grown by cultivation are not suitable for cultivation because the impact of harmful juices on the human body is not known exactly.
Ornamental plant
The jade tree is often used as an ornamental houseplant because of its bright green leaves and attractive trunk appearance. Given that it is very resistant, beginners use it to grow bonsai. It does not tolerate the tying of branches with wire, but it is resistant to cutting and shortening. Also, it has a long life, so that is also attractive to bonsai growers.
History
Although its cultivation is unknown, it is known that the jade tree is an autochthonous species for the area of Africa. Tribes used it for decorative and ritual purposes, and later it spread throughout the world. It is believed that the colonizers brought it to Europe, from where it quickly spread as a house plant due to its beauty and ease of maintenance.
Interesting things
The jade tree is a popular feng shui plant because its presence is thought to bring forth the flow of positive energy and wealth. It is especially popular in China, where it is kept in the first room upon entry to encourage the flow of money. It is often given to newlyweds or as a housewarming gift because it is believed to increase the flow of money. It is believed to bring good luck to the household if placed in the eastern part of the room or to bring money if placed near the safe. It is often held in office premises as well.
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