EVERGREEN
Crassula ovata
FULL SUN
FROST HARDY
LOW WATER REQUIREMENTS
FAST GROWER
FRAGRANT
FLOWER COLOUR:
AVERAGE SIZE:
1m x 1m
MAXIMUM SIZE:
3m (height)
FLOWERING TIME:
J F M A M J J A S O N D
FRUITING TIME:
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Crassula ovata
DESCRIPTION
A rounded and compact, rounded, evergreen shrub 1-3 m tall. Branches are succulent, grey-green in colour and in older specimens the bark peels in horizontal brownish strips. The succulent leaves are grey-green and often have a red margin. The bush is bears masses of sweetly scented, pale-pink, star-shaped flowers in tight rounded bunches during winter. This plant is grown throughout the world and has several common names, including – friendship tree, lucky plant or money tree.
WILDLIFE & ECOLOGICAL BENEFITS
The flowers attract bees, wasps, flies, beetles and butterflies.
WATER REQUIREMENTS
This water-wise plant prefers to have some dry periods between waterings. The plant needs water when its lower leaves become soft and in an extreme case become wrinkled.MAINTENANCE
Low maintenance.LANDSCAPING USES
Crassula ovata makes a lovely addition to a rockery. It can also be used to create a low-maintenance hedge for a dry area or as a showy specimen in a large pot.
GARDEN THEMES
Desert, Rockery, SucculentFLOWERS
Flowers have a feint perfume-like scent.
FOLIAGE
The oval-shaped leaves are 30 -90 mm long and 18 – 40 mm wide and often have a red margin. They are clustered towards the ends of the branches and occur in opposite pairs, the one pair arranged at right angles to the next.BARK
The old-looking stem is stout and gnarled, and has short and stubby branches.FRUIT
The flowers develop into small capsules, each holding many tiny seeds.SEED
The fine dust-like seed is dispersed by the wind.PESTS & DISEASES
Seldom attacked by pests. Excessive watering and humidity may lead to mildew and other fungal problems.CULTIVATION
Easily propagated from stem cuttings. Allow the cut end to dry off for a few weeks to avoid fungal infections.Plant in damp soil and avoid over-watering. Roots will develop in approximately 4 weeks.
