Jade Plant and Silver Jade Plant – Crassula argentea and C. arborescens

Common Name: Jade Plant and Silver Jade Plant

Botanical Name: Crassula argentea and C. arborescens, KRAS-u-la ar-JEN-tee-a

Decorative Life: Years.

Flower Color: Pink, White

Availability: Year Round

• Member of the Crassulaceae (orpine) family.
• Native of Africa.
• Common relatives include air plant, hens-and-chickens and sedum.

• Plant is classed as a dicotyledon, leaves not parallel veined.
• Leaves are thick, fleshy, oblong up to 2 inches long. A good example of succulent plants which store water in fleshy leaves.
• Stems thick, sturdy, small flowers are star-like in terminal clusters.
• Flowers are not fragrant.

While it “looks” like it should be chill sensitive, this species can grow outside in climates such as found in central Ohio.

• Crassula: Latin diminutive of “crassus” meaning thick, in reference to the leaves.
• Many members of this family are noted for their dense and compact growth. For example, Sempervivum tectorum has a common name of roof houseleek because it can be grown on roofs and acts as shingles. Another possibly more common name for this species is hen-and-chickens.
• Leaves are often with red tinged margins, variegated forms available.
• Will generally grow well in light levels bright enough to read a newspaper in comfort but higher levels can be beneficial.