Its leaves are thick and round, its woody branches make it look like a small shrub: it is the jade tree.
This plant, whose botanical name is Crassula Ovata, is one of the most well-known and widespread succulents. It is sold in supermarkets, nurseries, and florists and is found in small to very large pots.
Extremely hardy and easy to grow, receiving the jade tree as a gift is said to be a sign of good luck: thanks to its coin-shaped leaves, it symbolizes wealth.
But if we have bought or received this plant, where is it best to store it?
Let’s see some places to place it to keep it green and healthy.
Outside
Have you decided to keep the Jade tree on your balcony or in your garden? It’s a good choice!
Outdoor exposure conditions are much better for this plant than indoors.
Choose to place this plant in a spot with direct sunlight, but take a few precautions. First, in midsummer, don’t keep it in direct sunlight during the hottest hours, otherwise the sun’s rays risk burning its leaves.
Also, keep it in sufficiently large pots or repot it at least once a year: in optimal light conditions, this plant tends to grow a lot. Keeping it in a small pot compromises its growth and overall health, so it’s best to give it the space it needs.
It is therefore necessary to ensure that the Jade Tree kept outdoors is well maintained:
Direct light, which allows the plant to be beautiful and healthy.
The absence of wind, which, if too strong, can break the woody branches of the plant.
Rain protection. As you know, this plant is a succulent and therefore doesn’t require much watering. Too frequent rain would compromise the health of the roots.
Caution: This plant likes warmth, specifically temperatures consistently above 15°C. In winter, if it is large and in the ground, it can withstand very low temperatures, down to -4°C.
Inside
The jade tree can also be kept indoors. Being very hardy, it adapts well to any environment, although some precautions must be taken.
In the bathroom
Does your bathroom need a pop of color? Decorate it with the Jade Tree.
This plant does not have high exposure requirements: it tends to grow best when there is plenty of light, otherwise its leaves become thin.
If you have a bathroom with a window made of opaque glass or covered with a light-filtering curtain, the amount of light in the room may be insufficient. Let in some direct light, at least in the morning, and your Crassula ovata will thank you by growing luxuriantly!
In addition, the humidity, which is slightly higher in this room, is a real plus.
On the desk
One of the places where the Jade Tree is traditionally placed is on the desk: placing it there, according to tradition, would bring good luck to the economy!
Of course, it’s also important to know what type of office you have. Ideally, the office should always receive bright light for a few hours during the day.
It is also always good to open the windows from time to time to ensure good air exchange.
On the living room coffee table
In a medium-sized pot, Crassula Ovata tends to grow upwards, taking on the elegant form of a small tree that can add a certain charm to the living room.
Place it on a small table not far from the window, so that it receives a good amount of direct light and can continue to grow healthily and strongly.
Therefore, avoid placing it far from sources of natural light.