Greetings from the Crassula family. We are a diverse group, often known as Jade Plants or Stonecrops, and our internal clocks are governed by ancient rhythms. To truly help us thrive, especially through the challenging winter months in the United States, you must understand our state of dormancy. It is not a sickness, but a vital period of rest and preparation. Here is what we experience and need from you during this time.
As the days shorten and temperatures drop, we sense the change profoundly. The reduced sunlight signals our internal processes to slow down dramatically. Our photosynthesis, the magical process that turns light into food, becomes far less efficient. Our root systems absorb water and nutrients at a much-reduced rate. We are not dead; we are simply sleeping. Pushing growth during this time with ample water and fertilizer is stressful and can lead to severe health issues for us, like root rot. We are conserving our energy, waiting for the longer, warmer days of spring to signal a return to active growth.
Even in our slumber, we crave bright, indirect light. A south-facing window in the northern US or an east/west window in the southern US is ideal. Without sufficient light, we will begin to etiolate—stretching out weakly and becoming pale in a desperate search for the sun. This results in a leggy, unstable structure. Furthermore, we appreciate a cooler environment during our dormancy. A location that stays between 50-55°F (10-13°C) is perfect. This cooldown period is a natural cue that reinforces our rest cycle. Please keep us away from both freezing drafts and hot, dry air blowing from heating vents, as both extremes can cause significant damage to our leaves and stems.
This is the most crucial adjustment you must make. Because our metabolic and root activity has nearly halted, our need for water is minimal. The soil must be allowed to dry out almost completely between waterings. For many of us, this might mean watering only once every three to four weeks, or even longer. The key is to check the soil deeply. When you do water, do so thoroughly but ensure we are never left sitting in a saucer of water. Soggy, cold soil around our dormant roots is a death sentence, leading to rapid rot that we cannot fight off during this vulnerable time.
Please, withhold all fertilizer during the winter months. Since we are not actively growing, we have no capacity to use the nutrients. Fertilizing us while we are dormant will lead to a harmful buildup of salts in the soil, which can chemically burn our delicate, inactive roots and cause severe stress. Our focus is on preservation, not production. Our well-draining soil mix, typically a cactus and succulent blend, remains our best friend during this period, as it prevents any possibility of water retention around our crown and roots, protecting us from our greatest winter threat.
