Crassula arborescens (Silver Dollar Plant)

Scientific Name

Crassula arborescens (Mill.) Willd.

Common Names

Silver Dollar, Silver Dollar Plant, Silver Dollar Jade, Silver Jade Plant, Chinese Jade, Tree Crassula, Beestebul, Money Plant, Round-Leaved Crassula

Synonyms

Cotyledon arborescens (basionym), Crassula arborescens subsp. arborescens, Cotyledon punctata, Crassula arborea, Crassula cotyledon, Crassula cotyledonifolia

Scientific Classification

Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Genus: Crassula

Description

Crassula arborescens is a many branched, succulent shrub or small tree up to 4 feet (1.2 m) tall. It has rounded, fat, silver-gray and up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long leaves that are often edged maroon and have reddish spots on the upper surface. The star-like flowers are pinkish white in color.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 9a to 11b: from 20 °F (−6.7 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).

How to Grow and Care

Crassula are easy to grow, but they are susceptible to mealy bugs and fungal diseases. As with all succulents, overwatering is sure to be fatal, so err on the side of too dry rather than too wet. Never let your Crassula sit in water. If you water from beneath by letting the plant sit in a saucer of water, make sure to pour off any excess water after a few minutes.

Repot as needed, preferably during the warm season. To repot a succulent, make sure the soil is dry before repotting, then gently remove the pot.

Crassula are generally started by division, offsets or leaf cuttings. Plants can be easily propagated from a single leaf: sprout leaves by placing them into a succulent or cacti mix, then covering the dish until they sprout. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Crassula