Crassula ovata, commonly known as Jade Plant, is one of the most widely grown succulents. Many enjoy growing Jade Plants in their gardens, homes, and offices. This succulent is an evergreen subshrub with thick, fleshy, rounded, glossy dark green leaves often adorned with red edges. The coloration of the tip of the leaves is more intense in full sun. Clusters of small, star-shaped, white or pale pink flowers bloom in profusion from fall into spring.
If you want your Jade Plant to branch out and develop lateral limbs, pinch it back and give it plenty of sunlight, water, and nutrients. The best time to pinch back Jade Plant is early spring before new growth begins.
Pinch or snip the tips of some of the branches back to the next healthy leaf node. Next, pinch back all or most of the growth on the sides of the Jade Plant to encourage it to form lateral branches.
Irrigate the Jade Plant after pinching it back to moisten the soil and promote new growth thoroughly. Continue to water the plant as often as necessary to keep the soil evenly moist during the spring and summer when it is actively growing. Allow the soil surface to dry to the touch before watering in the winter.
Position the plant in a sunny location in your garden or within 4 feet (1.2 m) of a sunny window when grown indoors. The plant must receive four or more hours of direct sunlight per day.
To jump-start the plant's growth, apply a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer. Mix and apply the fertilizer according to the directions on the product label.
Source: ehow.com
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