Hello, dedicated plant caregiver! It's me, your Crassula plant. You might know me as a Jade Plant or a Money Tree. I'm a resilient, sun-worshipping succulent, and with a little understanding of my natural desires, I can be your long-lived, thriving companion for decades. Let me tell you, from my roots to my leaves, exactly what I need to not just survive, but truly flourish.
My most common plea is about water. Please, do not love me to death with constant sips. In my native, arid habitat, I am built for drought. My plump, juicy leaves are my personal water reservoirs. The golden rule is to mimic a desert storm: a thorough, drenching drink, followed by a period of complete drought. Wait until my soil is completely dry all the way to the bottom of the pot. When you do water, do so deeply until it runs out of the drainage hole, and then empty the saucer beneath me. Soggy, wet feet are a death sentence, leading to root rot that I cannot recover from. In winter, when I'm resting, my thirst diminishes significantly, so you can stretch the time between waterings even further.
I am a solar-powered being. I crave bright, direct light for at least four to six hours a day. A south or west-facing window is my idea of paradise. When I receive enough light, I reward you with strong, sturdy growth and a beautiful, healthy green hue, sometimes with red-tinged edges—a sign of my happiness. If I do not get enough sun, I will become "leggy," stretching out weakly with large gaps between my leaves, searching desperately for more photons. This weakens my structure and makes me susceptible to disease. If you notice this, please, bring me closer to the light!
My roots need to breathe almost as much as they need to drink. Standard potting soil is a swampy nightmare for me, holding far too much moisture. I require a sharply draining, gritty mix specifically designed for cacti and succulents. You can even make your own by mixing regular potting soil with plenty of perlite, coarse sand, or pumice. My home—the pot—is equally crucial. It must have a drainage hole. There are no exceptions to this rule. A pot without an escape route for water is a prison cell that will lead to my demise. I am a slow grower, so I only need to be repotted every few years when I become root-bound.
I enjoy the same comfortable room temperatures that you do, ideally between 65°F and 75°F (18°C - 24°C). I am not a fan of the cold. Please keep me away from drafty windows in the winter and far from blasting air conditioning vents in the summer. Good air circulation around my leaves is important as it helps prevent pests and fungal issues. A gentle breeze from an open window (but not a cold draft!) or a fan in the room is perfect. I appreciate a stable environment without sudden, dramatic temperature swings.
I am not a heavy feeder. During my main growing season in the spring and summer, a light meal once a month is sufficient. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength, or one specifically formulated for succulents. Over-fertilizing will do more harm than good, causing a buildup of salts that can burn my tender roots. When autumn arrives and my growth slows, please stop feeding me entirely. I am going to sleep for the winter and do not need any extra nutrients until the sun returns in full force next spring.
