Project Description
Crassula ovata
Classic Jade, Money Tree
Crassula ovata is one of the most easily recognized succulents, and is perfect for beginners. It has dark green oval leaves that can turn red along the edges when “happily stressed.” This succulent grows well indoors, and is easily propagated.
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Quick Look:
Full sun to partial shade
Typical water needs for a succulent
Plant grows up to 36″ (91 cm) tall
Plant grows up to 24″ (61 cm) wide
Zone 9a (Minimum 20° F | -6.7° C)
Not cold hardy
Propagation by stem cuttings and leaves
Can be toxic to humans and animals
Summer Dormant
Also available from Etsy.
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Care and Propagation Information
General Care for Crassula ovata “Money Tree”
Crassula ovata is a great succulent for indoor growers. Although it can grow large (in some collections it can grow up to 9′ (2.75 m), it does well in homes and offices. The best color will show through when it receives full sun.
“Money Tree” is deer resistant, making it a great addition to your garden.
Watering
“Money Tree” has typical watering needs for a succulent. It’s best to use the “soak and dry” method, and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Where to Plant
Crassula ovata is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 20° F (-6.7° C), it’s best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. It does well in full to partial sun.
Pairs Well With
How to Propagate Crassula ovata “Money Tree”
Crassula ovata “Money Tree” can be propagated from stem cuttings or leaves, although you may experience the best success with stem cuttings.
Cuttings
To grow “Money Tree” from cuttings, use a sterile, sharp knife or pair of scissors. Remove a stem from the main plant, and allow it to callous for several days before placing on well-draining soil. Water whenever the soil has dried out completely.
Leaves
To propagate Crassula ovata from leaves, twist a leaf from the mother plant. Be sure that none of the leaf remains on the stem, or you will have a smaller chance of success.
Allow the leaf to dry out for several days so that the end callouses over, and then place on well-draining soil. Water whenever the soil is completely dry.
Uses
Crassula ovata is a great succulent for bonsai. In Feng Shui, “Money Tree” brings good energy, money, and luck.
Commonly Asked Questions
Question
I have several Jade plants. One has black spots on some of the leaves, is this a fungus? If so what is best to rid the black spots? A month ago I brought them inside. I cleaned leaves and sprayed with alcohol because of spider mites. Everything is else is going good.
Answer
Black spots are generally caused by over-watering, sunburn, or sometimes bugs. The spots won’t go away. Once a succulent leaf is damaged or scarred, the only way to hide the spot is to remove the leaves with spots. If the black spots are dry, it’s most likely caused by sunburn. You can remove the individual leaves, but it’s great that you’ve brought the plants inside. They’ll still need sunlight, but make sure that they’re not getting too exposed.
If the spots are mushy, it’s probably from over-watering. You can remove the leaves with spots on them and then repot the plant in dry soil. Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. You should be able to adopt a watering schedule that should help keep it healthy. Watering is something I cover extensively in my course which you can learn more about here.
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Do these plants get small orange flowers?
You’ll typically see small pinkish-white flowers.
At which conditions can my plant bloom?
It can take years for a Crassula ovata to bloom, so if yours hasn’t yet, don’t be discouraged! You’ll want your plant to be growing in a dry environment with cooler temperatures (but not freezing). Watering less will also help to stimulate blooms. You have a better chance of seeing flowers in the late fall to early spring.
Hi succulents and sunshine! I have been following you since I started propagating succulents ( last July 19) and have gotten many helpful tips, thank you. I am still very new, but my leaf props and cutting are doing great. However, the weather has been perfect from nov – March, and I worry my plants will fry outside. I live in Las Vegas and for About 2 months it’s well above 100 degrees. Do I have to take them all inside? I have them in full morning sun now as it’s 40-70 degrees currently then afternoon shade. When summer hits I will move to filtered shade on my covered patio. Is that ok or still too hot? Which succulents cannot tolerant fully shaded hot temps? And vice versa, which varieties can handle desert heat( not desert sun) ? Thank u!!
Filtered shade will be great as they’re propagating 🙂 Some succulents do better in full sun, while others do better in partial sun. It’s best to know which types of succulents you have, and learn their individual needs.
Hi! I live in Washington and currently have a Crassula Ovata that’s growing pretty well by my window indoors. Some of the stems are growing down instead of straight up, not sure if this is normal? Also, I’m considering moving it outside and wondering with the rain in Seattle, how that will work? Thanks!
Crassula ovata will branch out and grow in many different directions. It can grow quite large, so as long as everything looks healthy, you should be good to go!
If you’re going to move it outdoors, be sure to acclimate it slowly so that the leaves don’t burn. You’ll want to plant it in a well-draining soil, and in a planter with a drainage hole so that the water will drain out and the soil will dry out completely. If you notice signs of over-watering, you’ll need to place it in a more protected spot. Good luck!
The stem of my succulents went soft and dead looking, and came away from the root, leaves on top still look healthy, is there any saving the plant?
It sounds like an over-watering issue. You could try beheading it, or propagating the leaves to keep it growing. Take a look at the suggestions in this post.
Hi, In the “quick look” section you say it grows to 91cm, but in the main area you say they can grow to 2.75m. I guess those tall ones are unusual, but how do you decide what height and width to put in the basic info if it can vary so much?
I have two Jade trees, but need to do a bit more research on variations because the leaf colour is a bit different to what you describe here. Mine started out toned purple-black, and have gone dark green over time since I bought them.
The color change can be attributed to the amount of light it’s receiving. The less light they receive, the more green they will be. Thanks for pointing out the discrepancy on the size — we’ll get that fixed!
Hi succulents and sunshine! I have been following you and watched almost all your videos.
My Jade plants leaves are getting really big (6-7 cm long), is it normal? also although most of the plant is doing great there are some leaves at the bottom who are squishy and soft.
is it OK?
Thanks!!
It’s totally normal for you succulent’s leaves to get large, but squishy, soft leaves are a sign of a watering issue. Take a look at this post for help with fixing that.