Crassula argentea (Jade Plant)


Botanical Information

FamilyCrassulaceae
GenusCrassula
Speciesargentea
SynonymsCrassula ovata
CategoryTropicals
TypeShrub (evergreen)
OriginNative to South Africa.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone9 - 11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cool season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH3 - H1b
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)5
Temperature (°F)15
Height0.8 - 1.4 m
Spread0.8 - 1 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodJanuary

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionAn easy to grow tropical and very popular houseplant.
ShapeUpright rounded crown.
LandscapeRock gardens, succulent collections, potted indoor plant, potted outdoor plant, container plant or as a specimen.
PropagationStem or leaf cuttings.
CultivationPlant in loose, well-draining loamy to sandy soil. Provide plenty of light and turn the plant frequently for even exposure.
PestsRed spider mites and aphids may be a problem.
Notable SpecimensCentennial Conservatory, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. The Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington, Ontario, Canada (usually in flower in March).
HabitatDry loamy plains and sunny, rocky outcroppings.
Bark/Stem DescriptionSmooth succulent bark with a slightly exfoliating top layer, giving it a rougher and lighter appearance on mature stems. Thick leaf stems grow upward from a solitary trunk.
Leaf DescriptionSmooth, oblong-ovate, rounded leaves growing oppositely along leaf stems.
Flower DescriptionSmall delicate flowers with lanceolate petals, open cup-shaped with defined pistils. Flowers grow among leaves in terminal panicles of 5 - 12 in late winter (in optimal conditions). Very rare indoors.
Colour DescriptionDeep green to sage green succulent leaves, dusty grey-brown leaf stems and light brown to light green matured base stem.
Texture DescriptionSmooth, glossy to slightly shiny leaves. Smooth bark with matured, slightly exfoliant bark near the base.

Photographs