Money plant

The Money Plant (Crassula ovata) belongs to the Crassulaceae family that consists of more than 300 species. It originates from South Africa. The plant is not only known as the “Money Plant", but also the “Lucky Plant", or “Jade Plant". The Money Plant is very popular as a houseplant.

You can buy this as a 2.36 inch tall mini plant, which will then grow over the years into a small tree. The Money Plant grows to around 19.69 to 39.37 inches tall. Larger examples can also be found in some living rooms. The annual growth rate is very rapid in the early years, but decreases with age. Then the trunk and branches begin to grow thicker and thicker - as it is only with this thickness that they are strong enough to carry the heavy leaves.

Money Plant leaves have a slightly oval shape and are convex on the top side. They are flat on the bottom. The thick, dark green leaves sit directly on the Money Plant branches, without any stems. As is typical for the Crassulaceae family, the leaves are fleshy and the shoots of the money plant are initially green and later turn a brown-gray color.

The Money Plant only forms its fine, white or pink colored flowers after ten years. It is a very special sight as the star-shaped flowers are very small and the stamens protrude out, long and delicate. It generally flowers in later winter or spring - but only if it tangibly feels the temperature difference from summer to winter. You can stimulate the flowering capability of the Money Plant by placing it on the patio or balcony in the summer. They should be brought back in the house at the start of fall.

The Money Plant is not at all fussy when it comes to location. It is recommended to position it in a sunny or semi-shady place outside in the summer. If it is cultivated in a room, a place on the window sill in the first half of the year is the correct spot. But it doesn’t like warm heated air very much. In winter it should be placed in a cool but bright spot. The perfect temperatures are around fifty degrees Fahrenheit.

Loose, low-nutrient soil mixed with a quarter sand is a suitable substrate. A Seramis granulate, lapilli or pumice are also just as suitable. The pH value of the soil should be slightly acidic to neutral. A half cactus soil, half mineral substrate is also suitable for money plants.

Waterlogging should be avoided, so money plants should be watered carefully. On hot days when the water evaporates more quickly, the plant can absorb larger amounts of water readily and it also needs these for its growth. On cooler days, however, the money plant should only be watered rarely. The same applies in the winter when it is in a bright but cool location. The soil can happily dry out for several days under these conditions.

From April to September, i.e. during the Money Plant’s growth period, the plant should be given some cactus fertilizer once a month. This can be increased to every two weeks if required.

Money Plants need to be regularly repotted, particularly in the early years, as that is when they grow very quickly and its roots need space. It is advisable to repot the Money Plant every two to three years, and later every five years. The spring and summer months are best suited for this. The Money Plant should never be repotted in the winter. It rests during this time and hardly grows at all. So it wouldn’t be able to regenerate well if parts of its roots were damaged and it also can’t grow in well at all.

Due to its natural growth shape, a Money Plant does not take on a certain shape grows crooked and lopsided. Its branches also break off. Therefore, it can and should be pruned once or twice a year. After pruning, the money plant grows back again stronger and thicker. Take care not to leave any “stubs". Always make clean cuts and only prune the fine furrows, for example where a leaf has fallen off.

The Money Plant can also be grown and pruned as a Bonsai. Regular and clean pruning is required from the start for this.

There are countless varieties of this popular and easy-care houseplant. Here is a small selection of well-known varieties with unusual leaf growth or particular coloring:

The Hobbit Jade plant (Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’) has bright green leaves that look like little spoons. With a little luck it will show delicately fragranced, white flowers in the summer. However, these only appear rarely. Also originating from J.R. R. Tolkien’s universe is the name of the variety Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’. This turns a red color in the sunshine.

The Money Plant can be very easily propagated with head cuttings. For this, cut off the fresh green roots at the end of a branch after flowering in the spring. These can be easily rooted in a glass of water or directly planted in a new container. However, then you must keep them permanently moist. Or you can gently cut off one of the leaves, that is, create a leaf cutting, and place it in a suitable plant substrate. With this method it takes a little longer until the roots form and the plant starts to grow. However, both variants give promising results.

Root lice can be a problem for Money Plants. They generally take up residence in dry, more compact soil. Infested plants whither and then die. You can easily recognize these lice from their droppings; these are white and look like powder. If you notice an infestation in good time, you can drive out the lice with regular watering. Otherwise you will need to use an insecticide on the root lice. Mealy bugs and aphids also like to infest money plants. However, the money plant is barely susceptible at all to diseases.