Jade Plant Care And Maintenance

Know The Basics Of Growing Jade Plant Or Money Tree

Jade Plant is also commonly known as the Money Tree, Lucky Plant, or Dollar Plant. The synonyms include Crassula Argentea, Crassula Ovate, C. Portulaca, and C. Oblique The Jade Tree is a succulent evergreen shrub belonging to the Crassulaceae family. This compact plant produces many thick branches and has dark greyish- green glossy leaves that are oval in shape. The plant produces white or pink flowers that are star shaped during early spring. It grows to a height of 3 feet, like a miniature tree. It is native to South Africa and it can grow well in dry areas with very little rainfall. It is considered as a good luck charm, and the jade coins, like leaves, symbolise prosperity and wealth. This plant is a good choice as an indoor plant and can easily survive a life time.

Growing conditions

The Jade Tree will exhibit good health when grown in plenty of light. The plant produces flowers when planted in a sunny position. It needs better, well-draining soil with neutral pH. It can be easily grown in containers containing a soil mix suitable for succulents. During spring to autumn, the plant needs regular watering. Allow the top soil to dry in between watering. The plant requires water only once in 10-14 days. During winter, the plant needs water to prevent the chances of shrivelling of leaves. Too much water near the roots can cause rotting. The sign of overwatering damage includes dropping of leaves, drooping stems, mouldy stems, and browning of leaves. It can be grown on patios but make sure that it is not exposed to frost. They cannot grow noticeably, when the temperature is above 32 C. Most people place their money tree, in the afternoon shade closest to their front door entrance. In Australia, they’re popular house plants. Money trees placed in this spot is said to bring you lots of money or you will never be poor again!

Feeding the plant

The plant needs frequent re-potting when grown in containers. They cannot grow well if remains in the same soil for many years. Feed the plant each week with a diluted liquid fertiliser in warm weather. It will be best to use a fertiliser specifically made for cacti. Providing nitrogen fertiliser of lower strength prevents leggy growth.

Propagation

Propagation of Jade Plant can be done easily using leaf or stem cuttings.

You can use a single leaf to produce a new plant.
Place the leaf in a pot so that the base of the leaf is just touching the soil.
Make sure that you dry the leaf or stem cutting a few days before planting.
Insert the stem cutting into free draining moist soil.
Provide water only when the roots start to grow.

Pruning Jade Plant

You can consider pruning of your Jade Plant when the top or crown becomes heavy or too big. Reduce the overall size of the plant by cutting back the branches around the plant evenly. Make sure that you keep the natural shape of the plant intact. You can prune the roots while re-potting the plants if you want to maintain the bonsai look of the plant. New growths will appear on the cut ends within a few weeks of time.