Have you ever heard of crassula arborescens? Do you know what kind of plant it is? On this occasion, and for those who cannot afford to buy very exotic plants because of the heat of the region where they live, we are bringing a succulent that looks a lot like the Jade tree (but it is different in itself).
Want to know more about this plant? Do you know what care is needed to have it at home? So pay attention because that’s what we can tell you about him. Shall we start?
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How is the crassula arborescens
To start, crassula arborescens is a shrub type plant. However, it can easily reach one and a half meters in height, while its stems can reach more than 20 centimeters in thickness. You could say it’s like having a mini tree in the garden, or in a pot, since it fits perfectly in both cases.
The most striking thing about this plant are its leaves. These are somewhat oval and light green in color, tending to grey. However, the border of all the sheets will be red, which sets it apart a lot. Also, the leaves come in different sizes, so it’s fun to watch them being born (so small) and how they develop and grow to a standard size.
Now what makes you love Crassula arborescens even more is its flowering. You should know that this happens in winter, which will make you enjoy the flowers in the coldest season of the year. These are usually white, with petals that seem to form a star, but there are others that have a certain pink touch. It almost always blooms in clusters, which makes it even more spectacular.
Crassula arborescens is not a hard plant to find; completely the opposite. It’s quite easy. Moreover, it cannot be said that it is expensive either. Now you must take into account, as we have already told you, that looks like the Jade treeand it can make you buy the wrong way.
Crassula arborescens vs. Crassula ovata (jade tree)
Since we don’t want you to have any problems buying a real crassula arborescens, note the color of the leaves. And yes, it can still be hard to tell them apart, but in the case of crassula ovata, the leaves are grayish, with bluish highlights and red edges. If you notice that the leaves are more green than blue, then you are looking at an arborescens.
Another difference between them is flowering. Whereas with arborescens it has a bloom (which gives it a grayish appearance), with ovata it does not.
Care Crassula arborescens
You already know a little more about the crassula arborescens and you know how to tell it apart (or at least try to tell it apart) from the ovata. But what about your care? To start You should know that it is not difficult to have some at home, quite the contrary, but it requires significant care. We tell you about it.
location and temperature
Like almost all succulents, the ideal location for crassula arborescens is outdoors. If the climate where you live is quite dry, with very hot temperatures… then she will be happy to be there.
You can have it both in the planted garden and in a pot. What should be clear to you is that he needs sun, lots of sun. This is why it is recommended to place it in a place where it receives as much sun as possible. This, yes, at first it will have to be adapted since it comes from a greenhouse (in most cases) and that means he’s not used to that direct sun.
As for the temperature, the ideal would be between 18 and 25ºC. However, you shouldn’t worry about the cold or the heat. If it is very cold, the plant protects itself by stopping its growth (and be careful, it will not flower for you). As for the heat, it tolerates it rather well, you just have to take into account the need for irrigation that it requires.
Substrate
Regarding the substrate, whether you have it in the garden or whether it is in a pot, you must make sure that it has a light soil and that it does not clump. If possible, choose soil with a pH above 7.5; and, in case you can’t with that one, let it be between 5.5 and 7.
Besides, We recommend adding some drainage such as coir, perlite, akadama, etc.
A mix that works? You can opt for universal substrate and drainage. Or choose soil for cacti and succulents and mix it with a little drainage (if possible 50% in both cases).
Irrigation
As good a succulent as it is, crassula arborescens is not a plant that needs constant watering. In fact, having fleshy leaves, water accumulates there, which means that you will only water when you see that it needs it.
If the plant is in full sun, it may need watering once or twice a week. Whereas if it is not too hot, or if we are in autumn and winter, one every 15-30 days.
In fact, it is better to water less than to spend with it, because the plant will suffer.
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In spring and summer, especially if you want it to flower, it would be a good idea to add some fertilizer. Go for granules and apply twice, once in early spring and again in mid to late summerin order to give an additional face to the flowering.
Plagues and diseases
Succulents are not plants that suffer from many pests and diseases, but they can be attacked by mealybugs, especially cottony or brown mealybugs. If so, It will be time to clean the plant by hand and add a mixture of soap with alcohol to prevent the appearance of more.
Multiplication
Propagation of crassula arborescens is very easy, as all you have to do is cut stems with a few leaves and plant them in the ground to generate roots. This, yes, make sure the stems are at least 10 centimeters long and have at least two small leaves to protrude forward.
Do you now dare to have a crassula arborescens in your home?