€21,20

🌱 Morphology

Jade tree · Jade plant · Jade plant. A perennial, highly branched shrubby succulent that can reach approximately 1–2.5 m in mature specimens. It develops a thick, woody, twisted-looking trunk with grey bark that peels off in brownish horizontal bands with age. The branches are succulent, robust, and can also become woody.

The leaves are opposite and decussate, forming pairs perpendicular to each other, generally sessile or with a very short petiole. They are fleshy, green, shiny, elliptical to obovate, with a narrowed base and a pointed or slightly mucronate apex. A narrow reddish tint on the margins is common, especially with intense lighting and some water restriction. The mutation of its leaves appears as if they were curled up forming thin fingers.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family

Family Crassulaceae. It is a species endemic to South Africa, distributed mainly throughout the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. It grows on rocky slopes, outcrops and sheltered ravines, forming part of scrubland communities, Albany Thicket, savannas and other subtropical and semi-arid vegetation formations. It is found from approximately 50 to 1800 m above sea level.

In nature, it usually grows in well-drained places, where the roots can access rainwater but the soil does not remain saturated.

❄️ Temperature

USDA zone 9b–11b. It tolerates relatively low temperatures when it is dry and well acclimatized, but it must be protected from severe frosts and, especially, from the combination of cold and wet substrate. Cold tolerance also depends on the water status, acclimatization and the duration of the episode. It tolerates minimum temperatures of -5 C.

☀️ Lighting

Intense lighting is recommended, with a target of 15–25 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹ of DLI PAR during the growing period. High light availability promotes compact growth, thicker leaves and the reddish coloration of the margins.

Specimens grown in low light must be gradually acclimatized to direct sunlight to avoid burns.

💧 Growth cycle and watering

Summer dormancy. It is an adaptable species, but in cultivation it responds especially well to a cycle of activity during the moderate-temperature seasons, reducing its activity when temperatures are extreme.

During the active period, it is recommended to perform abundant watering and let the substrate dry out completely before watering again. It is not advisable to keep small amounts of water frequently, as constant moisture promotes root problems.

During cold periods and with little vegetative activity, watering should be considerably reduced. The species has a high tolerance to drought and can withstand prolonged periods without water.

🌸 Flowering

Flowering occurs mainly from late autumn through winter and early spring, depending on growing conditions. In Madrid, it is mainly recorded between December and February.

The flowers appear grouped in rounded terminal inflorescences, forming numerous clusters. They are small but abundant, star-shaped, white or white-pink, with purple anthers. In well-lit specimens, they can form real floral masses and give off a light sweet fragrance.

🌿 Nutrition

During the growing period, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, applying it after the plant has clearly resumed its vegetative activity. Before flowering, it can be supplemented with Desert CHOICE® Flowering to promote the formation of inflorescences.

It should not be fertilized during dormancy periods or when the plant is subjected to extreme temperatures.

This is an inimitable xerophyte cultivated in Madrid in a technological square pot and with the substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi.

 📏 The size of our collection xerophytes is as follows:

S-> 9cm x 9cm

M-> 14cm x 14 cm

L->16cm x 16 cm

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The measurements of the plant are specified in the photo description, but this may also vary slightly, because it is a living being! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.

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