The Crassulaceae family contains many plants that live in drier parts of the world. The genus Crassula contains over 300 species and varieties in various shapes, sizes, and colors. They are very popular worldwide.
C.ovata is the most common crassula grown indoors, and it’s also sometimes sold as Cargenta ovata.
Other names for this plant include jade plant, lucky plant, money plant, friendship tree, dollar plant, or money tree.
Succulents are a type of plant with thick, fleshy leaves that store water. The word succulent comes from the Latin word succus, meaning juice or sap. Succulents are drought-tolerant plants, making them easy for even the busiest gardener to grow. There are many different types of succulent plants, and all can be grown indoors or outdoors as part of your landscaping design.
LIGHT
If you want the best possible growth from your crassula, give it as much light as possible. It will thrive in direct sunlight and partially shaded areas.
Indoor plants should be placed in a bright window or under grow lights, but avoid direct sun through windows (it’s too harsh and will burn the leaves).
Crassula plants also need regular watering, significantly when they are actively growing. When in doubt, don’t water them—they can go long periods without moisture!
WATER
Many new plant owners often make the mistake of overwatering their plants. When you overwater, you drown a plant’s roots, which stops them from getting the oxygen they need to survive. This is how to root rot occurs and why it helps to water your plants to allow for good drainage.
If you’re not sure whether or not it’s time to water your plant, there are some simple ways to tell:
Check the soil. If it feels dry about 1-2 inches down into the pot, your Crassula needs water.
If your Crassula wilts or turns brown on its leaves and stems, another sign of underwatering is if its leaves start falling off before they brown or turn crunchy — this is known as leaf drop.
SOIL
Soil is one of the most important aspects of growing a crassula plant. Crassulas grow in well-draining soil, so a cactus mix or a potting mix with perlite, sand, or pumice to improve drainage is ideal. Water your plants when the top layer of soil is dry and allow the plant to dry out between waterings. This can be not easy at first because you will want to keep it moist all the time, but it will help ensure that your plant stays healthy.
TEMPERATURE & HUMIDITY
Temperature and humidity are important factors to consider when growing Crassula plants. It would be best to keep the temperature between 55 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If you maintain an indoor temperature that is too warm, it may save your plant from flowering, or if it is too cold, it may cause frost damage. The optimal humidity for Crassula plants is between 50% and 70%. This can be achieved by misting the leaves regularly with water or placing a humidifier near the plant.
FERTILIZER
It’s unnecessary to fertilize your crassula, but it can help the plant grow more quickly and produce more flowers. Fertilizing a crassula is simple: mix a diluted liquid fertilizer into the water and pour it into the soil. Water-soluble fertilizers are best, but you can also use slow-release pellets or granules, which must be mixed in before planting. How often you fertilize plants depends on what kind of fertilizer you are using and the season. Crassulas should be fertilized once in spring and once in summer, or once every two months if you’re using slow-release pellets or granules.
PESTS AND DISEASE
Crassula plants are relatively free from pests and disease. The most common problems you’ll encounter with your crassula houseplant are aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects—all three feed off the sap found inside the plant. If left to their own devices, these pests will quickly multiply, resulting in an infestation. You can easily stop this problem before it starts by ensuring that your crassula is not overcrowded, or if you’re growing them outdoors, be sure not to plant new specimens near established ones. This way, should there be a pest infestation in one area, it won’t quickly spread to another area of your garden or home.
If you notice any problems with your plant, inspect it closely for signs of pests. One of the easiest ways to kill small populations is by using a cotton tip swab dipped in rubbing alcohol (or 70 percent isopropyl alcohol) and applying directly to the bug/larva/eggs. Rinse any remaining residue before using again on other areas of your crassula plants that need attention.
REPOTTING
Repotting Instructions:
Repot crassula plants in spring when they become crowded. Use a pot one size larger than the current container and any good quality, fast-draining potting soil. Repot every two to three years or so, as needed.
MAKE SURE IT RECEIVES DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND ENOUGH WATER FOR A HEALTHY CRASSULA.
Crassula plants, like most succulents, require a lot of light and warm temperatures. Ideally, crassulas should receive six or more hours of direct sunlight. If this is not possible, they can be grown in partial shade but will not develop or have as much coloration.
When growing crassulas indoors, position your plant near the sunniest window in your house and rotate it to ensure even growth on all sides. In colder months, you can use a fluorescent light source (or grow lights) placed as close to your plant as possible (< 12 inches) for at least 5 hours per day.
When watering crassulas, remember that overwatering is the most common cause of death for these plants. They should never be allowed to stand in water for any time and should always be allowed to drain completely after watering. A good rule of thumb is to wait until the soil has dried out before watering again (usually 1-3 weeks).