Crassula ovata

Crassula ovata, commonly known jade plant, is a drought tolerant and low-maintenance succulent.

Beloved for its fleshy, evergreen leaves and tree-like growth habit, it is a staple of both indoor and outdoor succulent collections (depending on your climate).

Its simple care requirements and tolerance to drought make it a favorite for xeriscaping, container planting, and decorative bonsai.

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Its leaves are fleshy, glossy, and round, colored bright green with a red rim that appears in the heat.

The plant will bloom mid-winter (anywhere between December and February) once it has reached maturity.

The flowers are tiny , cream-colored stars on long pinkish-red stems.

It has a very slow growth rate but, once mature, it forms an elegant tree like structure with a thick trunk and branches. A heavy terracotta pot will keep them well grounded 😉

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👨‍🌾GARDENING TIPS👨‍🌾:

• • ✂️Cut them back if they get too long or too leggy – they respond well to a trim!
  • ❄️ Crassula ovata does not appreciate the frost – so do make sure to bring them inside during the frosty months.
  • ☀️As with all the Crassulae, Crassula ovata is extremely drought-tolerant and loves the sun. This in turn means that they hate moist soil > keep it dry

Learn more about how to care for your Crassula ovata:

• • FR: Entretien des Crassula ovata

  • ENG: Caring for your Jade Plant

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The Tale & The Botany: Crassula Ovata

“Crassula” means thick or fat in Latin, referring to the leaves that become plumpy the more water they are able to store.

This is a good indicator of the health of your crassula – if less plumpy, then she needs a dash of water!

This genus was first named in 1862 and the genus contains 150-200 species, most of them occurring in South Africa.

“Ovata” comes from the Latin word meaning egg-shaped.  And indeed, the leaves are a little egg-like.

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🌸 Floral Morphology

Jade plants produce small, star-shaped flowers that are typically white or pale pink, often with a subtle sweet fragrance.

Flowers appear in dense terminal clusters during winter or early spring, although flowering is more common in mature, well-cared-for plants.

The leaves are opposite, oval to obovate, thick, and fleshy, ranging from bright green to deep green, sometimes developing a reddish tint on the margins in response to strong sunlight or cold.

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🌱 Reproductive Biology

Crassula ovata reproduces both sexually via seeds and vegetatively through cuttings or offsets.

Flowers are hermaphroditic and attract pollinators such as bees and flies, but most propagation occurs through leaf or stem cuttings, which root readily under suitable conditions.

This vegetative strategy allows the plant to form dense, shrubby structures over time.

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🌍 Ecology & Adaptations

Native to arid and semi-arid regions of southern Africa, Crassula ovata has evolved several adaptations for survival in dry environments:

• • Succulent leaves store water for prolonged drought periods.

  • CAM photosynthesis allows the plant to minimize water loss while maintaining metabolic activity.

  • Thick, woody stems provide structural support and enable the plant to reach up to 1–2 meters in height outdoors.

  • The plant tolerates poor, well-drained soils, full sun, and occasional frost, although it is sensitive to prolonged freezing.

South Africa