In this Crassula Arborescens (pronounced KRASS-yoo-luh ar-bore-ESS-enz) Guide – How to Care for Silver Dollar Jade we will review specific care instructions for your succulent. Commonly known as Blue Bird Jade, Silver Jade Plant, or the Blue Buddha Bush. Known for its silvery light blue leaves. Blue bird jade plants have more circular leaves than other common jade plants. It is a slow-growing plant, much slower than its cousin the Crassula ovata.
When exposed to more sun the edges leaves produce bright red to burgundy tips. The flowers that grow from its tips are long lasting and appear during the autumn-winter period. Grows well outdoors as a large bush or it can be kept more small and compact in a container.
Water
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Light
Filtered / Partial Sun, Bright Indoor Light
USDA Zone
10a-11
Temperature
Minimum 30 F or -1.1° C
Soil
Well-draining soil, use a container with good drainage
Fertilizer
May benefit from a balanced fertilizer in summer
Size
6″- 8″
Scientific Name
Crassula Arborescens
Common Name
Silver Dollar Jade, Blue Bird, Blue Buddha Bush, Silver Jade Plant
Pronunciation
KRASS-yoo-luh ar-bore-ESS-enz
Flower
White Bloom
Toxicity
Generally toxic to dogs and cats
Reaching up to 4 feet tall (122 cm), this hard to kill succulent is a great variety for beginner plant parents. Silver Dollar Jade plants make a charming addition to any home or office or outdoors in a flowerbed or pot.
Succulents, including Crassula, store water in the plump leaves to survive drought. This plant does not have very high watering needs. Replicate its natural habitat by giving your Crassula a deep watering. Then, let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
Silver Dollar Jade only needs minimal water during the winter. Remember, as with most succulents, less is more! If in doubt, be sure to use a moisture meter. Very inexpensive and it really helped me when I was new to succulents.
Crassula Arborescens has moderate light needs and does well in filtered light, partial sun, bright indoor light or full sun once acclimated. While ‘Silver Dollar Jade’ can tolerate partially shaded conditions, it will put on the best growth and coloration in bright sun.
Silver Dollar Jade Plants are not cold hardy. They do well in the ground or in a pot outside in warm or hot climates. Be sure to move your Crassula Arborescens inside when temperatures fall below 20° F (-6.6° C). Allow indoor Silver Dollar Jade Plants to get 4-5 hours of indirect sunlight in order to flourish.
Well-draining soil is essential for keeping Crassulas happy. If your succulent is left sitting in water, it’s susceptible to rot and fungal diseases. Add pumice or perlite to the soil to help increase extra drainage and be sure to pick a pot with a drainage hole. I also like adding coarse sand with perlite to commercial potting soil for 2:1:1 ratio. Even when I use a commercial cactus soil mix I still add perlite for increased drainage.
Crassulas need to be repotted every few years to avoid compacted soil. Repot during the summer when the soil is dry. Start by gently brushing the soil off the roots. Inspect the roots for rot or other problems that are usually underground. Place in fresh well-draining soil and hold off on watering for a few days. This will allow the roots to get comfortable and heal from any damage during transfer.
Fertilizer isn’t a priority with this plant. If you want to give it a try though, do so during the summer with succulent or cactus fertilizer. It should be liquid and balanced or low-nitrogen.
Crassulas are generally toxic to dogs and cats. Keep away from small children jut to be sure.
Crassula Arborescens naturally propagate via offsets. If you want to speed up the propagation process, this can be done by leaf and stem cuttings. Once you have the process down, you can easily multiply your Crassula collection.
Leaf cuttings are taken by carefully removing the leaf off of the stem. Gently twist the leaf to ensure that you remove the entire leaf and don’t leave any parts behind. This will increase the chances of successful propagation. That section in between the leaf and stem is what enables the cutting to grow roots.
After removing the leaf, let it dry out for a few days so that the ends can callous over. Once dry, set it on top of well-draining soil and mist it with water. Keep the soil damp until new roots have grown in. As the leaves begin to take root, return to a regular watering schedule.
Stem cuttings follow almost the exact same process as leaf cuttings. Take a sharp pair of clean shears or scissors and cut 2-3 inch long stem cuttings. This may be a frightening experience at first, but eventually you will be happy with the results. When removing offsets or stem cuttings, allow them to dry for three to five days (depending on your climate) before planting in soil or propagating in water.
Water propagation is one of my favorite methods and you can read more here. When placing in soil make sure the stenstem cutting is upright, and in well-draining soil. You can test if it has roots by gently pulling on it. If there is resistance, it has established some roots. The base should eventually produce new babies. Follow the above watering suggested watering instructions for leaf cuttings.
In spring to summer, the plant is almost completely covered with flowers. Look for white to pink star-shaped blooms on showy dense branches. Spherical heads are slightly above the foliage.
Be wary of overwatering your Crassula, which is the number one killer of succulents. Overwatering kills succulents much faster than underwatering. Symptoms of overwatering include yellow, mushy leaves that easily fall off. Remedy this issue by removing your succulent from the overwatered soil and place it in fresh well-draining soil. Hold off on watering for a week or so. If you still aren’t sure of when to water, a moisture meter will take out the guesswork.
Underwatering is harmful to Crassulas, but much easier to fix. Give your succulent a good drink and it will usually perk up. When underwatered, the succulent leaves will shrivel up and the plant will wilt. They can also send out air roots. Read more about air roots here.
Etiolation is a common, but easily preventable problem with succulents. When the plant isn’t getting enough sunlight, it stretches toward the sun. If you don’t keep your crassula in a bright location, it will grow stretched and less attractive.
Once stretched out, it will not return to its tight rosette. Propagate the stem as mentioned above to give it a second chance and increase your collection size.
What's in a name?
Genus name comes from the Latin word crassus meaning thick for the thick leaves. The Latin word arborescens means tree-forming or tree-like.
They generally do not require a lot of maintenance. The bottom leaves will brown and die off as the Crassula grows, and this is normal. Be sure to remove these to keep the plant healthy and so that it does not attract pests like the evil mealy bug!
Mealybugs are the biggest pest threat to your succulents. They love to hide in crevices on your Crassula so be sure to inspect your plants regularly. If signs of mealy bugs appear in the form of a white cottony web or disfigured leaves, be sure to eradicate them immediately. These small white scale insects drink the sap out of plants and secrete honeydew that attracts ants. A Q-tip dipped in alcohol or a spray from an organic pest killing soap will do the trick. Read my complete post on mealybugs eradication here.
Aphids are less common but still a potential threat to Crassulas. Like mealybugs, they suck out the sap. If left untreated, they will eventually kill your succulent. Protect your echeveria by applying diatomaceous earth to the soil and neem oil to the succulent. Use insecticidal soap to control existing infestations.
Learn more about Mealybug and pest eradication here.
Crassula Diseases
Make sure you never let your Crassula stand in water or else the chances of root rot and other fungal diseases will increase. Root rot is caused by consistent moisture and can lead to bacterial infections. The good news is that it is easy to prevent. Avoid overwatering and use a well-draining soil.
Root rot is best caught early, so routinely check for rot on your Crassula. Rotted sections will be brown or black and mushy. The rot usually starts in the roots and spreads up the stem. If you find an infected part, you’ll have to remove it or else it will spread. After cutting away the rotted section, leave your succulent out of the soil for a few days so it can dry out and callous over. Repot in fresh well-draining soil and keep an eye on watering.
Crassula Sunburn
Brown spots may appear on your Crassula. These are most likely from sunburn. Move your plant out of direct heat to prevent further damage. Learn how to save your sunburned succulents here.
Compliment your Crassula with these varieties:
SEE MORE HOUSEPLANT TIPS:
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