Jade Plant
Crassula ovata
| Description |
The Jade Plant is the most popular member of the genus Crassula, which contains around two hundred succulent species. The Jade is easily recognizeable with its round, fleshy leaves the grow in opposing pairs. The flowers are small, star-shaped, and white or pale pink in color. The Jade Plant has two alternative scientific names: C. portulacea and C. argentea. |
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| Area | The Jade Plant is native to South Africa. It is cultivated all over Europe and the United States as a houseplant. |
| Reproduction | The Jade is notably easy to propagate. Just one leaf cutting placed on slightly damp soil in a sunny environment will soon take root and grow. |
| Trivia |
The Jade’s shape and ease of propagation make it a popular plant for the art of bonsai. The genus Crassula is the Latin word for “thick”, possibly referring to the thick, fleshy leaves typical of many species of succulents. “Ovata”, the species name, refers to the round shape of the leaves. The Jade Plant is occasionally called a “money plant” or a “dollar plant”; however, this causes confusion between the Jade and the unrelated plant Lunaria annua, known also as “silver dollar” or “money plant”. |
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| Detail of the Jade’s fleshy, waxy leaves. | The leaves of the Jade grow in opposing pairs. | Jade leaves can turn darkish-red if eposed to high levels of sunlight. |