The genus Crassula is quite numerous and is distinguished by a variety of species. Most of them belong to the succulents of the Crassulaceae family, of which there are more than 350 species in nature. They grow in the driest places on our planet. The more complex the living conditions, the more bizarre their appearance, the more interesting their coloring and the more unusual the flowers. Crassula grows in Madagascar and in the south of the Arabian Peninsula. Most of the Crassulas are in South Africa. Translated from Latin, “Crassula” means “thick”. The leaves of Crassula live up to the name of the flower - they are fleshy and thick. In terms of external characteristics, different types and varieties of Crassula are very different from each other. Among them there are very tiny plants, but there are also giant trees, up to several meters in height. But all species have similarities - this is the opposite arrangement of leaves on the stem and the absence of dissection of the leaf blades. Moreover, each pair of leaves is located at right angles to the previous pair. Crassula flowers of different colors are usually small in size and collected in inflorescences. The number of stamens and the number of petals are the same.

All Crassula species contain arsenic in the juice of the leaves. Eating leaves is dangerous to life!

Many species of Crassula live well in our apartments, but some are cultivated only in greenhouses. The most common Crassula species in indoor floriculture can be divided into three groups: tree-like, creeping (groundcover) and spicate (columnar). Let's consider each type in order.

Tree Crassula

Because of its leaves that look like coins, the tree-like Crassula is called differently in different countries: “Silver Tree”, “Silver Dollar”, “Coin Tree”, “Tree of Happiness”. The following names have stuck with us: “Money Tree” or Crassula.

This group includes the most popular types of Crassula due to their unpretentiousness and spectacular appearance. Grown as bonsai, mini-trees with a beautiful crown and thick fleshy stem can decorate the interior of any room.

Here are the most common tree-like varieties of Crassula (Crassula, Money tree) in indoor floriculture:

Oval or Ovata (Ovata)

Crassula Ovata

Ovata is the most unpretentious, shade-tolerant and, therefore, the most common variety of Crassula in amateur floriculture. She is originally from South Africa. The height of the tree varies from 60 cm to one meter. Its woody stem is highly branched. Over time, it turns brown. Evergreen glossy, often with reddish edges, leaves grow without petioles, in the shape of an ellipse. They are up to 5 cm long and up to 2.5 cm wide. The underside of the leaves has a reddish tint. Thick, numerous leaves are capable of retaining large amounts of moisture. An adult plant blooms in autumn-winter. Small star-shaped flowers are white and pink in color. Ovata can withstand temperature drops of up to 10 degrees, even short-term mild frosts do not bother it.

Purslane (Portulacea)

Crassula Portulacea

Crassula Portulaca is a variety of Ovata and is similar to it in many ways. Also a very common species in home gardening. It is distinguished by the presence of aerial roots on the trunk and branches, initially white, and darkening over time. It blooms only in adulthood and not always. Its small flowers are collected in paniculate inflorescences. The color of the petals is white and pink.

Silver (Argentea)

Silver Crassula (Crassula Argentea)

Another variety of Ovata. It differs in that the green surface of the leaf blades is covered with light specks. And the leaves have a silver shine.

Ovata Minor

Crassula Ovata Minor

This is a compact form. Its variety “Crosby’s Compact” is much smaller in size than the natural variety. The young plant has a fleshy green trunk that becomes woody over time. The oblong small dark green leaves have a red edge along the edges. Their size does not exceed 1.5 cm in length and 1 cm in width. The flower grows slowly and looks great in mini-gardens.

Ovata var. Oblique

Crassula Ovata var. Oblique

This is a less common form of Ovate. It is distinguished by pointed leaves with a slightly raised tip and slightly curved down sides. The leaves are slightly larger than those of Ovata.

Ovata var. Oblique cv. Tricolor and Ovata var. Oblique cv. Solana.

Crassula ovata var. Oblique cv. Solana

These hybrids are a variety of Crassula obliqua. The tricolor has white stripes against a background of bright red trim. Solana leaves are decorated with bright yellow stripes that are arranged asymmetrically. Their number varies among different shoots. On some leaves, there are no chlorophyll-free areas at all. We recommend removing completely green shoots so that the flower does not lose its diversity and decorativeness.

Milky (Lactea)

Milky Crassula (Crassula Lactea)

This is a fairly large subshrub (up to 60 cm) with fairly large leaves decorated with white dots along the edges. And the Milk Crassula blooms with thick white panicles. Hence the name of the species.

The Hobbit and Gollum

These hybrids were obtained by US breeders in the 70s of the last century from crossing Crassula Ovata and Milky. They are similar to each other. They have an original leaf shape. The Hobbit's leaves are turned outward and fused from the base to the middle, while Gollum's leaves are completely curled into a tube with funnel-shaped flaring tips. The growth pattern and size of the tree are the same as those of the common species Crassula Ovata, only their trunks are even more branched. Hybrids are very decorative and suitable for creating bonsai. They have several variegated forms.

Ovata cv. Hummel’s Sunset

Crassula ovata cv. Hummel’s Sunset

This hybrid has leaves decorated with white or yellow stripes and a pronounced red border along the edge. The Dutch variety of Ovata, purchased under this name, with very beautiful yellow-red leaves, may disappoint you, since the color of the leaves retains its original color only under constant bright light, which can be organized in greenhouses, but at home, usually, the leaves become just green .

Arborescens

Crassula Arborescens

This large tree, up to 1.5 m in height, has almost round leaves (7 cm long and 5 cm wide). The color of the leaves is bluish-gray, along the edge there is a narrow red border. The underside of the leaves is reddish. The leaf blades are often covered with dark specks. The flower is very decorative, in appearance it resembles Crassula Ovata, but is more demanding in care - it loves good lighting and does not tolerate waterlogging of the roots at all. At home, it rarely blooms with small white flowers. A miracle can happen if you guess the location of the pot (the western side of the apartment is preferable to others), lighting and watering. But even without flowers, the decoration of the flower is its juicy, fleshy, glossy leaves.

Ground cover (cresting) Crassula

These are herbaceous plants that grow very quickly and cover the space allocated to them with a carpet.

Lycopodioides

Crassula Lycopodioides

This species is noticeably different from others. A small bush (no higher than 25 cm) is very similar to a fancy coral or moss. It reproduces well, quickly produces many shoots, which literally fall out of the pot in a matter of weeks. The shoots are creeping, tetrahedral, fleshy, their tips are slightly raised upward. In appearance, the flower is similar to a moss - hence the name. Thin and pointed leaves in the form of small scales are folded in four rows and fit tightly to the trunk and to each other. From a distance, the stems resemble green ribbed worms. In intense light they take on a reddish tint. This Crassula blooms with small white star-shaped flowers, inconspicuous in appearance. Grows well in the shade. Unpretentious. Often used as a ground cover plant in gardens, in the form of a green lawn. It also serves as an excellent beautiful background for other flowers and gets along with any type of plant.

Pseudolycopodioides (C. Lycopodioides ssp. Pseudolycopodioides)

Crassula Lycopodioides ssp. Pseudolycopodioides

It is a variety of Moss-moss. It is distinguished by more curved stems and leaves less pressed to the stem. The stem blades are more spread out and, depending on the Crassula variety, may have a variegated, silver or yellow color.

Tetralix

Crassula Tetralix

The tetrahedral Crassula has fleshy, subulate-shaped leaves with a pointed tip. The leaves are up to 4 cm long and 0.4 cm thick. They are located throughout the stem at a short distance from each other. Its stems are abundantly overgrown with brown aerial roots, designed to capture moisture from the air. This shrub is easy to form into a small, showy tree.

Spot (Picturata)

Crassula dotted (S. picturata)

Very decorative look. It has lodging, strongly branching shoots. The leaf size is up to 1.5 cm in length and 0.8 cm in width. The green surface of the leaves is covered with red dots, and the reverse side is covered with purple-red dots. Thin transparent eyelashes are placed along the edges. Crassula punctata is used as an hanging plant.

Offspring (Sarmentosa)

Crassula Sarmentosa

This small perennial, abundantly branching herbaceous plant has pointed leaves, which are decorated with teeth along the edges. In addition, the edge of the leaf is often variegated: red or light green. Stems up to one meter long quickly spread across the area allocated for the plant and easily take root, giving life to new shoots. The shoots reach a meter in length, and the leaves - 3.5 cm. Flowers from 5 to 8 mm in diameter are collected in white or cream-colored panicles.

Crassula Round or Rosette (C. Orbicularis/Rosularis)

Crassula Orbicularis/Rosularis

This is a perennial herbaceous plant. In appearance it resembles an aeonium - its leaves are collected in rosettes similar to flowers. They are fleshy, light green in color, with pointed reddish tips. The length of the leaf barely reaches 2.5 cm. The plant branches abundantly and quickly occupies the area allocated for it.

Spike-shaped (columnar, columnar) Crassula

This group of Crassulas got its name because of its unusually picturesque structure. These are upright bushes with little or no branching stems. Their paired leaves grow together at their bases and envelop the stem in such a way that it seems that they are tightly strung on the stem.

Perforata

Crassula Perforata

This small plant has diamond-shaped leaves that are arranged in pairs, fused at the base and encircling the stem. The arrangement of leaves is cross-shaped. The stem is sparsely branched and rigid. The leaves are light green in color with a bluish bloom and a red border along the edge. Leaf length is up to 2 cm. Trunk length is up to 20 cm, and the diameter of the trunk with leaves is about 3 cm. Flowering occurs in winter. Numerous small white flowers are collected in dense inflorescences at the top of the shoot. Perforata can be grown as a hanging plant.

Perforata Variegaga (C. perforata Variegaga)

Crassula Perforata Variegaga

This is a variety of Perforata. Young leaves have bright yellow stripes along the edges or in the middle, while older leaves, at the bottom of the trunk, are completely green. In spring the plant turns completely green.

Grouped (Socialis)

Clustered Crassula (Crassula socialis)

This low-growing perennial herbaceous plant has thin, highly branched stems on which leaf rosettes are densely arranged. The leaves are round, small, smooth, flat, up to 5 mm in length. Their color is bluish-green. Thin cilia are located along the edge of the leaf blade. Crassula Grouped grows well, forming a dense cushion. Inflorescences occur on the tops of shoots. The flowers are white-pink, small.

Rock (Rupestris)

This tall plant has creeping or erect stems up to 50 cm high. Its shoots are initially herbaceous, and in maturity they become tree-like. They spread horizontally, only slightly stretching the tops of the shoots upward. With proper appropriate pruning, this subshrub can produce a beautiful looking bonsai. Its leaves are dense, smooth, depending on the variety - diamond-shaped or ovoid, up to 2.5 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. The leaves are placed on the stems in pairs and crosswise. Due to the fact that there are no petioles, and the bases of the leaves are fused and tightly clasped around the stem, the bush looks very decorative - it seems as if the leaves are strung on stems like beads. The color of the leaf blades is usually light green with a blue tint. Along the edge there is a dotted or continuous stripe of a reddish-rusty color. Crassula Rock blooms in the summer with pink or yellowish fragrant umbrellas.

Cooper

Cooper's Crassula Cooperi

This is a miniature ground cover plant. Its height is no higher than 15 cm. The leaves have a sharp tip with a large fiber in the center, the edge of the leaf has sparse fibers. The color of the leaves is unusual - brown-green with brown spots. The leaves are arranged in a spiral on the stem. The top of each Crassula Cooper stem is crowned with an inflorescence of small, white or pink flowers. Flowering is long lasting.

Buddha's Temple

Crassula cv. Buddha`s Temple

Crassula Buddha Temple is an erect, almost non-branching plant, forming compact square dark green columns of leaves tightly pressed to the stem. The tip of each leaf is curved upward, making the column resemble the roof of a Chinese pagoda. It grows slowly, no more than 3-5 cm per year. The leaves are paired, fused at the base, succulent, triangular. Their length is about 1 cm, width at the base is up to 2.5 cm. As the shoot develops, the leaves are tightly stacked one on top of the other. Quadrangular columns of regular shape are formed. If you look at the bush from above, it looks like a square or cross. Under comfortable conditions, red buds are formed in the dense short apical inflorescences of the plant. The flowers appear pinkish, almost white, sterile.

Monstrosa (Lycopodioides monstrosa)

Crassula Lycopodioides Monstrosa

It has an abnormal growth of stems, like the comb forms of cacti - the shoots grow asymmetrically, with breaks. Their thickness does not exceed 0.5 cm. They are covered with small (2x2 mm) scaly triangular leaves of a yellowish-green color.

Deceptor

Crassula Deceptor

This is a low (up to 10 cm) bush with very short, thick and tetrahedral leaves (1.5 cm). The stem is completely hidden under densely planted leaves of a greenish-gray color with silver inclusions.

Decorative flowering Crassula

Finally, we will introduce you to some decorative flowering varieties of Crassula, which annually delight their owners with colorful blooms.

Crescent (Falcata)

Crassula falcata

Crassula crescent is a subshrub with a straight, slightly branched stem. It reaches a height of one meter. It has sickle-shaped grey-green leaves. They are juicy, fleshy, fused at the base and clasping the stem. Their length is about 10 cm. It blooms in July - August with bright red-orange flowers, which are collected at the top of the shoot into large, up to 20 cm in diameter, umbrella inflorescences. The peculiarity of the variety is that after flowering, the top of the shoot is removed to well-developed leaves. They wait for side shoots to appear, of which one, the strongest, is left. The rest are used for propagation by cuttings.

Schmidt (Schmidtii)

Schmidt's Crassula (Crassula Schmidtii)

Crassula Schmidt is a ground cover variety that is most common in Europe. There it is grown as an annual, and after the bush has flowered, it is thrown away and new specimens are planted. The height of the bush is no higher than 10 cm. The plant has dense lanceolate leaves, different in shape from other species: they are narrower and pointed at the ends. The color of the leaves is remarkable. They are green on top, with a silvery coating, and slightly reddish on the inside. The stem is also greenish-pink. This Crassula blooms with red flowers of a carmine hue. The plant is distinguished by its remarkable decorative properties and is widely used by landscape designers.

Justi-Corderoyi

Crassula Justi-Corderoyi (C. Justi-Corderoyi)

This variety is also preferred to be planted in Europe as an annual. It is similar to Schmidt's Crassula. Only its leaves are flattened, rounded at the bottom, and the edges have cilia. The flowering plant produces bright carmine buds with reddish inflorescences.

Crassula perfoliata (C. perfoliata)

Crassula Perfoliata

This type of Crassula also annually pleases caring gardeners with beautiful flowering. This species can reach a height of 50 to 100 cm. The stems are erect, slightly branched. The leaves, as if strung on a stem, give it a special decorative effect. They are juicy and meaty. They have a triangular or lanceolate shape. Their length is from 10 to 15 cm. The upper surface of the leaves is dotted with red dots, and their edges are covered with a number of barely noticeable, small teeth. Abundant flowering occurs in the summer months. Small flowers are collected in racemose inflorescences. Their color is white or red. A peduncle (about 10 cm) grows from the top of the stem.

Conclusion

We introduced you to the most attractive, from the point of view of beauty and unpretentiousness, species of Crassula (Money tree), which even a beginner can grow in his home. Choose which variety you like best. In favor of such an acquisition, we add that the leaves of the Money Tree secrete biologically active components that have a positive effect on the human body and have a bactericidal effect. It is believed that the Crassula forms a stable energetic atmosphere around itself. It cleanses the house of negative energy. As long as she is in your home, happiness and financial well-being will not leave him.

Crassula (aka Crassula) is a cute and unpretentious plant that does not require complicated care. You just need to provide her with the necessary environmental conditions. The fat woman should be in a place with good lighting, optimal air temperature and humidity level. There are several subspecies of this attractive plant. Let's get to know them better and figure out how they differ from each other.

Description

The Crassula genus is numerous, characterized by a wide variety of different species. The lion's share of them belongs to the succulent family. Crassula usually grows in dry areas. The more unadapted the habitat conditions are, the more bizarre the species of Crassula itself turns out to be. The color and shape of the flowers of the so-called money tree (another name for Crassula) may also turn out to be unusual, based on the environment in which this plant grows.

In nature, Crassula grows in Madagascar or in the south of the Arabian Peninsula. The largest number of Crassulas are found in South Africa. The leaves of this popular plant tend to grow dense and “fleshy.” In terms of their appearance characteristics, different types and varieties of money trees can differ significantly from each other - it is almost impossible to confuse them.

Crassulas can be either very miniature and modest, or quite large, more like real trees. The latter grow into powerful giants and can reach several meters in height. However, all varieties of Crassula have a common feature - the arrangement of leaves on the stem is opposite, and there is no dissection of the leaf blades. Each pair of leaflets is usually at right angles to the previous pair.

Crassula flowers can have different colors. They gather in small inflorescences. The number of stamens and petals usually coincides.

Many of the varieties of these unpretentious but beautiful money trees take root well in ordinary city apartments, and not in luxury greenhouses. But there are also species for which only the latter conditions are suitable. In other circumstances, such varieties of Crassula are not cultivated. Flowers designed for indoor use can be divided into several main categories:

• tree-like;
• creeping (also known as ground cover);
• spicate (columnar).

Each of these types has its own distinctive features, features and characteristics. These parameters of different crassulas need to be taken into account if you plan to grow such a plant at home.

Types and varieties of Crassula

Many people today keep a money tree in their homes. There are many signs associated with this interesting plant that many gardeners believe in. However, mostly lovers still choose this particular tree because it is unpretentious and does not require complex care.

Even a novice gardener who does not have extensive experience in growing such plants can easily cope with the fat plant.

There are several different types and varieties of this wonderful tree. Let's get to know them better.

Tree-like

The group of tree-like crassulas includes plants that are familiar and familiar to many, called money trees (it is believed that this name primarily refers to the varieties “Ovata” and “Arborescence”).

Crassula "Ovata" silver or oval (also known as purslane) has other memorable names among the people: “bear’s ear”, “coin tree”, “krasulya”.

Such succulent trees usually do not grow too tall. Their maximum height is 1–2 m in length. As for the thickness of the trunk of such a fat plant, this parameter can reach 30 cm. The leaves are usually small in size and have a characteristic elliptical shape. The natural shade of the foliage is close to bright emerald. Slightly less common are plants whose leaves have a characteristic red border around the perimeter.

The flowers themselves are usually small and white in color. They gather in dense umbrella-type inflorescences. Very often this charming plant is used when working in the bonsai technique. The result is very effective decorative solutions that can decorate many settings.

As for the oval Crassula, it is characterized by a very beautiful and non-trivial shape. For example, a variety called Crosby's Compact (Ovata Minor) produces small scarlet leaves. These succulents are rarely more than 1.5 cm in length, and the same or slightly less in width.

A miniature plant, often used to form spectacular mini-gardens in apartment conditions.

Another widespread variety "Mix" On the contrary, the leaves grow completely flat and grow close to each other, which distinguishes them from “Minor”.

There is also a very effective "Ovata Sunset" is a beautiful hybrid (another small popular hybrid is the highly succulent “Springtime”), which has leaves with white lines complemented by a red border.

Hobbit and Gollum- these are two varieties with many similarities. They have special tubular leaves. The lion's share of the leaf blades of these plants are fused in the direction from the base to the center. "Gollum" has completely cylindrical foliage with an expanded upper part, more like small funnels.

Obliqua is a variety of Crassula that has leaves with a sharply and clearly defined triangular upper part. The leaf blades themselves usually have a distinctive graceful curved shape - the edges on the sides are directed downward, and the sharp tip “looks” upward, being positioned clearly parallel to the stem, and not at an angle, as is the case in all other cases.

There are also more unusual and non-standard varieties of tree crassula. These options include such an amazing variety as "Undulatifolia". Its leaves are distinguished by their original and beautiful silver-bluish color, which immediately attracts the eye. The top of its leaves has a reddish color and is located parallel to the stem. A special variegated form of the described variety is also often found. There are characteristic yellow stripes along the leaves.

"Blue bird"- This is an incredibly bright and beautiful variety of Crassula, which naturally has spectacular wavy leaves that are difficult to confuse with the foliage of other subspecies. Among flower growers, this plant is known as the simple “curly red rose”.

Groundcover

A type of ground cover plant is the Crassula, called mossy or moss-moss. These plants are small and not very tall shrubs, the shoots of which spread rather low and have a characteristic tetrahedral structure. The height of the shoots in rare cases exceeds 25 cm. The leaves usually have very modest sizes and are folded into four neat and interesting rows. The latter press tightly against each other. In fairly bright light conditions, the foliage takes on a noticeable and attractive reddish hue. This plant is extremely popular in home gardening and is grown very often.

Pseudoplauniform Crassula is a variety characterized by very flexible pagons. The leaves on them are arranged loosely. Such flowers are famous for their cultivars that have green-yellow or grayish leaves. They are also difficult to confuse with other varieties.

There is also a variety of tetrahedral Crassula or Crassula tetrahedral. This plant has a lot in common with the specimens described above, however, it has unusual leaves with a characteristic awl-shaped shape. In cross-section, the latter turn out to be almost round. Their length, as a rule, does not exceed 4 cm, and their diameter is rarely more than 4 mm.

Bearded Crassula is a variety with low pagons that branch at the very base and form special turfs. The leaves here gather into peculiar lush rosettes, which are most often about 3–4 cm in circumference. The standard color of the foliage is green. The edges of the plates themselves have borders in the form of elongated snow-white stripes. The flowers themselves are very small in size and white in color. They open in February - April in rich inflorescences of an umbrella structure.

Crassula "Marnier" is a variety characterized by rather short stems. They branch weakly. In young individuals, the stems stand straight, but over time they droop a little. The leaves usually have a rounded structure, the cores are wide, the shade is close to blue, and the lateral edges have a red tint. The flowers themselves grow snow-white, and their diameter reaches 4 mm. The shape is bell-shaped or five-petaled.

There is also a special rosette crassula. This widespread variety has short stems, the rosettes of which are flat and practically lie on the surface of the soil. The leaves are characterized by a characteristic linear-lobed shape with a length of 6 to 8 cm. Their color is rich emerald, the surface is glossy, and in the sun it casts a spectacular red hue, attracting a lot of attention. Along the edges there are cartilaginous cilia. The flowers themselves are milky-white in color. They usually open either in February or March.

Spica-shaped

This type of Crassula is also called columnar or columnar. This group of plants has its unusual name due to its naturally unusual structure. Such fat plants are upright bushes, the small trunks of which either do not branch at all or branch very weakly. The paired leaves of these plants merge with the base and cover the stem so that it seems as if they are tightly strung on the stem.

“Parforata” is one of the common varieties of this spectacular tree. This plant is naturally very small in size and has leaves that have a distinctive diamond shape. The leaves are arranged in pairs, grow together at the very base and intersect with the stem, as if enveloping it. The very arrangement of foliage here is cruciform. The stalk is characterized by low branching and a high level of rigidity. As for the color of the leaves, it is close to soft green. In this case, there is a characteristic bluish coating and a red border around the edges.

In terms of length, the leaves of a succulent of this variety rarely grow more than 2 cm. The length of the trunk usually reaches up to 20 cm, and its diameter is approximately 3 cm. The flowering period here occurs in the winter season. A large number of small white flowers gather in strong inflorescences at the very top of the shoot.

“Perforata” can be successfully grown even as an orange tree.

“Perforata Variegata” is a variety that is one of the subspecies of the standard “Perforata”. The young leaves of this plant are covered with rich yellow stripes along the edges or in the center. As for the old foliage located at the bottom of the trunk, it is usually green in color. In spring, this tree is completely covered in green.

Grouped - plants of this variety are low-growing and perennial. By nature, such crassulas are thin, but at the same time their stems are distinguished by high branching. They have very dense rosettes of foliage. The leaves of grouped plants are small and round. Their surface is smooth and their structure is soft. The leaflets can reach 5 mm in length. The natural color of the foliage of these trees is bluish-green.

Small and thin cilia can be observed on the edges of the leaf blades. This Crassula grows well, forming a kind of dense “cushion”. Inflorescences may be at the top of the shoots. The flowers grow small and white-pink.

Plants of the “Monstroza” variety have an unusual and original appearance. The shoots of this money tree grow asymmetrically, having characteristic kinks. Their thickness extremely rarely exceeds 0.5 cm. The shoots are covered with small scaly triangular leaves of a yellow-green hue.

A compact plant is the Crassula variety "Cooper". Usually its height does not exceed 15 cm. The leaves have a pointed tip with a large pile in the center. There are also fibers along the edges of the leaves. The color of the foliage is often not the simplest, for example, brown-green with spots. Typically, leaves grow on a stem in a spiral.

Tall plants include the so-called Crassula rock variety. These trees are characterized by creeping or upright growing stems, the height of which can reach 50 cm or more. At first, the shoots of this money tree are herbaceous, and then become tree-like. They usually spread horizontally, pulling upward quite a bit. If pruning is carried out in time and correctly, it is possible to form a lovely-looking bonsai from this cute subshrub.

The leaves of this variety are distinguished by their high density and smooth top. They can be diamond-shaped or ovoid. Length up to 2.5, width – 1–2 cm.

Decorative blooming

Decorative flowering Crassulas are distinguished by a particularly interesting and bright appearance, which is difficult not to pay attention to. The flowering of these plants makes many gardeners fall in love with them, who then begin to directly grow them.

The sickle-shaped variety of this plant looks great. This fat plant is a subshrub that has either a straight or branched stem. It can easily reach a height of 1 meter. The leaves of this Crassula are sickle-shaped and have a gray-greenish color. The foliage of the plant is characterized by high juiciness and fleshiness, especially in the area at the very base. In the last zone, the leaves grow together and wrap around the stem itself.

The length of the leaves can reach up to 10 cm. The flowering period occurs in July - August. At the same time, the flowers appear deep red and are collected directly at the top of the shoot into large (up to 20 cm) umbrella-shaped inflorescences.

The main feature of the described variety is that after the flowering period, the crown of the shoot must be removed to the normally developed leaves.

Crassula Schmidt is a variety that is widespread in Europe. There it is grown as an annual. As soon as the bush blooms, it is immediately thrown away, and then fresh specimens are planted. The height of such a bush is rarely less than 10 cm. The leaves of Crassula Schmidt are very dense and have an unusual shape - they are narrow and pointed closer to the tips.

The color of the leaves of this Crassula is also noteworthy. Their upper part is painted green with a slight silvery tint, and the back half is close to a red tint. The stem here has a pinkish color. Crassula of this variety blooms with bright scarlet flowers of a carmine hue.

This plant boasts excellent decorative qualities, which is why it is used in many cases by landscape designers.

"Justi-Corderoi" is a variety that is also preferred in large quantities throughout Europe. Here this plant is also perceived as an annual. In many characteristics it is similar to the Schmidt crassula mentioned above. Only the leaves of “Justi-Corderoi” grow flattened, rounded at the bottom. There are cilia along the edges. During the flowering period, this plant forms rich and variegated carmine buds with scarlet inflorescences.

Crassula pierced-leaved can please you with its beautiful appearance. This plant delights gardeners with its annual flowering. In height, such crassulas can easily reach 50–100 cm. The stems usually grow straight, and their branching is minimal. A good level of decorativeness is given to this plant by leaves, as if strung on the stem itself. They are distinguished by their juiciness and meatiness.

The shape of the leaf blade of succulents of this variety can be triangular or lanceolate. The length is usually from 10 to 15 cm. The top of the leaves are sprinkled with red dots, and there are barely noticeable small teeth on the edges. Active flowering occurs in the hot summer months. Small flowers are collected in tassel-shaped inflorescences. Their color is white or red.

General rules for home care

Although the fat plant is considered a non-capricious and strong plant, it is still very important for it to be provided with proper and competent care. Only if this standard condition is met can we talk about the beauty and good health of the money tree. Let's take a closer look at the type of care the fat woman will need.

It is very important to remember that the fat woman is a great lover of warmth and good light. However, it should be noted that in direct sunlight this plant can be seriously damaged, even causing burns. Experts and experienced flower growers advise placing pots with this beautiful plant near eastern and western windows. Of course, it is better not to keep the fat plant in complete darkness - in these conditions the plant will be uncomfortable.

It is advisable that the temperature in the room where the pot of Crassula is located is maintained at around +20–25 degrees Celsius. If we are talking about the winter dormancy period necessary for the plant, then it is advisable to maintain a temperature of about +14 degrees.

It is very important to water the money tree correctly. It is not recommended to flood it, as this will lead to leaf fall and root rot. The plant can not be watered too often - the soil in the pot may dry out a little, there is nothing wrong with that. However, you can’t completely forget about watering the fat plant.

Watering the plant is allowed only with well-settled water. Never use ice-cold liquid from a tap. It is advisable to use rain or melt water. Its temperature should be similar to room temperature.

If water has accumulated in the tray under the pot, it will need to be poured out. You shouldn't leave it there.

If there are hot summer months outside, then it is permissible to wash the fat woman in the shower. It is recommended to protect the soil from moisture.

Fertilizer for this tree must be chosen very carefully. You should choose products that are designed specifically for succulents. It is advisable to read the instructions for the product before use, even if you are confident in your skills and abilities in caring for the fat plant.

You don't need to fertilize your money tree too often. One fertilizer is enough for the growing season. Be careful, as such compositions often lead to burning of plant roots.

The fat woman is unlikely to like constant transplants. Experienced flower growers advise carrying out such procedures no more than a couple of times a year. In this case, the tree must be replanted in a well-chosen pot of small height but sufficient width. It is necessary to select high-quality fresh soil and not forget about the drainage layer (no thinner than 2–3 cm).

Any variety of Crassula does not like temperature changes. It is very important that stability is maintained in this matter. For example, if you move a plant from a cold windowsill to a table in a warm room, it may well become seriously ill and die.

It is better to initially select an ideal place for the money tree, where it will be comfortable and will not have to be constantly rearranged.

It happens that plant growth is delayed for a long time. Of course, there are exceptions. For example, an interesting variety called “Arta” belongs to the category of slow-growing plants. In other cases, prolonged growth of succulents often indicates improper watering. It is advisable not to make mistakes here.

In any case, if you notice any “problems,” you should act quickly, using appropriate treatments and medications. If you lose precious time, the plant can be lost.

Any fungal diseases make themselves felt on the root parts of the plant. After some time, the fungus rapidly “spreads” over other surfaces. As a rule, under conditions of this disease, the foliage of the plant may noticeably shrink. To prevent such a problem, Experts advise treating Crassula with a solution of potassium permanganate twice a year.

Regardless of the type and variety of the fat plant, it should not be kept near heating appliances or a radiator. Under their influence, the plant may wither.

When transplanting a fat plant into a new pot It is very important to act as carefully as possible. The main thing to pay attention to is to take care of the roots. If you accidentally damage the plant's rhizome system, it may not take root in its new location.

Crassula (Latin crassula), or Crassula, is a herbaceous representative of the genus of succulents of the Crassula family. There are up to 500 species, most of which grow in South Africa and Madagascar. Partially found on the Arabian Peninsula. The name comes from its thick and fleshy foliage. The plant is cultivated mainly at home. It is popularly called the money tree because it is believed to bring good luck in financial matters. The plant is valued for its spectacular appearance and ease of care. In addition to the standard variety, there are many varieties and hybrids.

Show all

general description

In the wild and in culture, the large Crassula family is represented by various succulents: tree-like shrubs and trees, herbaceous, aquatic, creeping. There are miniature and giant plants. All are united by one characteristic feature - fleshy, leathery leaves of opposite distribution on the stem (crosswise).

Crassula does not grow too large at home, as there are a number of restrictions. Over time, a full-fledged mini-tree with a lignified trunk is formed. The leaves are simple, entire or ciliated, and come in different configurations - oval, lanceolate, diamond-shaped, rounded. Indoor Crassula blooms rarely, but very beautifully. The buds are collected in racemose-paniculate inflorescences of apical or lateral formation. There are different colors: white, red, blue, yellow.

Kinds

The Crassula genus is quite numerous. The most common types are:

Type name	Description	Photo
Oval Crassula, or Crassula Ovate (crassula ovate)	Also called ovoid. The most common variety comes from southwest Africa. In the wild it grows up to 3 m in height, at home - no more than 1.5 m. The leaves are oval, leathery and smooth, green or silver in color. Capable of forming multiple lateral branches and growing quickly. The buds are collected in lateral or apical inflorescences of white or pink color. Adapted to shade, which is important for growing in city apartments
Tree-like	Outwardly similar to the oval appearance: a bare, lignified long stem with a crown of small egg-shaped leaves 3–7 cm long. The color is light gray with a blue sheen and a red border. The flowers are pale pink and white, form panicles, but bloom rarely. Does not tolerate shade, prefers good lighting
Purslane or silver	Similar in appearance to Crassula oval and tree-like, but more compact and with a more elongated leaf shape
Crassula Schmidt	Presented in the form of a bush with lanceolate green leaves evenly distributed on the shoots. The foliage configuration is more elongated and narrow with sharp ends. A silvery coating is noticeable on top, dark burgundy below. Blooms with bright red small flowers. Often found in garden decoration in many European countries. Grown as annuals
Crassula the Hobbit and Gollum	Two similar hybrids, the result of American selection. Obtained by crossing oval and milky Crassula with the original one. The leaves are turned outward, fused from the base to the middle in Hobbit, rolled into a tube and expanding upward in Gollum
Sunset	A three-color succulent with white or yellow stripes visible on a general green background, with a red border along the edges
Minor	Crassula with a compact crown of an oval configuration. Leaves with a red tint are about 1.5 cm long and no more than 1 cm wide. Suitable for decorating mini-gardens
Moss-moss	Neat shrubs up to 25 cm high. The leaves are tetrahedral and fleshy. Shoots are creeping with curved tops. The plant is unpretentious in care and growth conditions. Tolerates shade well; in the light the leaf scales turn red
Spot	A plant with high decorative properties. It stands out for its dense branching of lodging shoots. Original in foliage color: multiple red dots on a green background, with a more saturated tone below. Whitish cilia are visible along the edges of the plates
Perforated	An original looking succulent with diamond-shaped leaves, arranged in pairs. The stems are tightly clasped. Thanks to the cross overlay of leaves, the effect of through the stems is created. The color is bluish-green with a red border. There are varieties with variegated colors - white and yellow stripes
Skalnaya	Creeping representatives, capable of stretching up to 50 m in length. Endowed with thin stems with small thick leaves. The edges of the plate are outlined in red, and there are reddish inclusions inside. The leaves form pairs fused at the base. Blooms with small scarlet buds
tetrahedral	Subshrubs with narrow shoots and many aerial roots. The stems tend to bend and creep along the ground. They are unpretentious, but quickly lose their decorative appearance. Requires annual propagation by cuttings
Milky	A massive hanging plant up to 30 cm high. The foliage is grey-green and rounded in shape with pointed tips. Plate size - 4x2 cm
Crassula Buddha	Presented in the form of pyramidal columns consisting of tightly touching triangular leaves. Upon reaching a height of 15 cm, the column can collapse on one side under its own load. Blooms with flowers at the tops (red hue)



Home care

Most varieties of Crassula tolerate direct exposure to sunlight, so southern window sills are quite acceptable. However, the best places are windows facing east or southwest. Lack of lighting negatively affects decorative indicators: shoots grow rapidly, and leaves fall off. In the summer, it is recommended to take flower pots to the balcony or terrace.

Due to its southern roots, the plant develops without problems in the heat. In winter it can be located near heating devices. Lowering the air temperature to +10...+15ºC and jumps in humidity also do not cause any harm. Caring for Crassula does not require much effort. It is enough to water, wipe the foliage and fertilize on time:

• In summer, the plant is moistened when the top soil layer dries out, in winter - 2–3 cm deep. Crassula is more afraid of dampness than drought. Even with a long absence of moisture, there will be no damage to development.
• In the spring-summer season, special liquid fertilizers are applied once a month for succulent representatives and cacti. In winter there is no need to recharge.
• Crown formation is started when the plant is still young. In an adult, after pruning shoots and removing leaves, unsightly stumps form. Select a small pot, otherwise the roots will grow deeper and the stem will tend upward. This leads to a strong stretching of the upper part - to the detriment of decorativeness. The soil mixture is prepared in the following composition: humus, turf and leaf soil, sand and brick chips. The ratio is 1:3:1:1. When a height of 10–15 cm is reached, the top is pinched to stimulate branching. This way they form a beautiful rounded crown.
• Transplantation is not scary for Crassula. The need for it arises as the root system grows. It is not necessary to do this every year, but once every 2 years is advisable. Then the flower will bloom even in indoor conditions. The best time for transplantation is spring. A new container of larger volume is selected, a fresh substrate is filled in, after laying expanded clay drainage at the bottom. They are replanted using the transshipment method - they grab a clod of earth along with the roots. If you want to preserve the compact shape of Crassula, it is better not to resort to this procedure. It is enough to change the top layer of soil annually.

Succulents are adapted to the dry microclimate of city apartments, so spraying is not required. You can periodically wipe the leaves with a damp cloth. It is allowed to wash them under running water, after covering the soil with film. In winter, the flower needs rest in the cool. The optimal temperature is +8...+10 ºC. Lack of rest leads to excessive stretching, thinning and weakening of the trunk.

When replanting, the root collar cannot be buried; it is left on the surface. Otherwise, the plant will die. The shoots are cut directly above the dormant bud, which promotes active crown formation and a beautiful appearance.

In the collections of amateur flower growers there are other varieties and hybrids of Crassula. They all differ slightly in care. Representatives with a waxy coating on the foliage are more protected from sunlight. These include hybrid Crassula-mix, which require more intense lighting than lycophytes or purslanes. The latter grow better in partial shade.



Reproduction

Crassula propagates by seeds, cuttings and leaves. Flower growers often use the vegetative method, due to its simplicity and better results. Seeds are sown in wide containers, distributed evenly over the surface of the soil and sprinkled with sand on top. The soil mixture is as follows: leaf soil and sand in a ratio of 1:2. The seeds are covered with glass to create a greenhouse effect.

The ground is ventilated daily, accumulated condensation is removed and moistened with a sprayer. After the first shoots appear, they are planted at a distance of 1 cm from each other. Keep the seedlings in a warm and bright room. With the appearance of the first strong leaves, they are planted in separate modules in turf-sand soil. At first, the temperature is maintained at +15...+18ºC until they take root completely. Then they are transferred to a permanent place.

Both stem shoots and leaves are suitable for rooting by cuttings. A strong shoot is cut off, treated with crushed coal and withered for 1–2 days. After this, they are planted in loose and fertile soil. You can germinate in a glass of water by adding a growth accelerator. As soon as new roots appear, the cutting is transplanted into a separate pot with a diameter of 5–8 cm. The recommended soil composition is turf and leaf soil, compost, sand. Care for it like an adult plant.

The sheet is deepened into the ground and fixed in a vertical position. It is pre-dried in air for 2-3 days. Until it takes root, spray the soil regularly. When growth begins, it is transplanted.

Crassulas rarely flower at home, but it is possible to achieve the desired result. The plant must be left dormant for the winter, without fertilizing or moisturizing. At this time, a reduced temperature regime and good lighting are necessary.

Diseases and pests

The succulent easily tolerates a lack of moisture, lighting and fertilizing. Overmoistening has a detrimental effect on it. In the absence of good drainage, water stagnation occurs, which entails the development of fusarium rot. This is the most common Crassula disease, which affects the root system and gradually moves higher. It is characterized by the appearance of a white coating on the foliage. A diseased plant is difficult to save. At the initial stage, replanting into fresh substrate and trimming damaged parts can help. Prevention is achieved by following an irrigation regime with periodic drying of the soil layer.

If increased leaf fall is observed, the reasons are sought in the following:

• waterlogging;
• elevated temperature;
• excess fertilizer.

The plant is saved by transplanting into another pot and replacing the soil composition. If it overheats, it is transferred to a cool place. Damaged parts are cut off. As a last resort, they resort to rooting the stem remaining after the leaves fall. Cut off the bare top and plant it as an independent plant.

Of the insects, scale insects, mealybugs, and spider mites are especially dangerous. Scale insects are removed manually or the leaves are wiped with medical alcohol. Treatment with Actellik eliminates scale insects. The presence of mites is recognized by the formation of cobwebs on the crown. Remove with the same Actellik or Fitoverm.

Beneficial features

Crassula is able to cleanse the microclimate of harmful substances and saturate the air with oxygen. The leaves of the plant are used in folk medicine due to their medicinal properties.

Freshly squeezed juice helps with the following diseases: arthritis, radiculitis, tonsillitis, sore throat. Can relieve herpes on the lips, small cuts and wounds.

Several effective recipes for various diseases:

Indications	Recipe
Pyelonephritis	The leaves are crushed and poured with boiling water, left for a while. Take 1 tbsp. l. before eating
Ulcer of the stomach and duodenum	Chew one Crassula leaf daily
Neuralgia, varicose veins, muscle pain	Prepare an alcohol tincture from the leaves. Rub regularly into affected areas
Cut, bruises, arthritis, gout, osteochondrosis	The leaves are twisted through a meat grinder and applied as compresses to problem areas.
Calluses	The leaves are cut and the exposed pulp is applied to the callus.
Haemorrhoids	The juice of the leaves is mixed with olive oil or petroleum jelly. A tampon is impregnated with the resulting composition and applied to the hemorrhoids.

Crassula juice is used to treat various skin pathologies: eczema, psoriasis, lichen, urticaria. For sore throat, rinsing with juice diluted with water helps.

Crassula (Crássula) is a very diverse genus in the family of the same name. Some sources call 200 known species, others – from 300 to 350. Among them there are tree-like forms, ground cover plants, and herbaceous perennials with columnar stems.

Crassula, the species of which are numerous in home cultivation, is also loved by flower growers due to the superstitious claim that it brings money and wealth to the house. In English there are many synonyms for Crassula - money tree, jade plant and tree of friendship or good luck.

The homeland of most Crassulas is South Africa, Madagascar; a huge number of Crassulas are found in the tropical zone of the African continent and only a few on the southern edge of Arabia. Some of the leafy succulents are semi-aquatic species that are found in Western and South Australia in wet swamps. The name of the genus comes from the Latin word crassus, which means thick. Numerous varieties of Crassula are grown in indoor floriculture.

The group of tree-like crassulas is represented by familiar and long-cultivated plants; people often call them money trees:
Crassula ovata, or oval (Crassula ovata), synonyms - purslane (C. portulacea) and silver (C. argentea) - the most common of the Crassula, has popular names - bear's ear, coin tree, crassula.

A low, abundantly branching succulent tree in nature grows up to 1–2 m in height, and the trunk is up to 30 cm thick. The leaves are small, elliptical, shiny, bright emerald green, occasionally with a red border along the perimeter of the leaf plate. At home it blooms extremely rarely with small white flowers collected in dense umbrella inflorescences. Often used for bonsai cultivation. Among astrologers it is considered the talisman of Capricorn. Homeland - Transvaal in the Cape Province.

Crassula oval has very beautiful shapes and varieties:
Crosby's Compact is a variety with small reddish leaves no more than one and a half centimeters in length and the same or slightly less in width. A small plant often used to create mini-gardens in apartments.

Crassula ovata Crosby's Compact

Hobbit and Gollum are similar varieties with tubular leaves; in Hobbit, most of the leaf blades are fused from the base to the center, while in Gollum they are completely cylindrical with a funnel-shaped expansion at the apex.

Crassula ovata Hobbit

Obliqua (C. ovata var. obliqua) is a form with a clearly visible triangular tip of the leaves. The leaf plates are gracefully curved - the lateral edges are down, and the tip of the tip is up and are located parallel to the stem, and not at an angle to it, as in the usual species ovata.

Crassula ovata var. obliqua cv. Solana

Two variegated varieties are known for this form - Solana (C. ovata var. obliqua cv. Solana) with foliage painted with asymmetrical bright yellow stripes, and Tricolor (C. ovata var. obliqua cv. Tricolor) - on leaves edged with a reddish border , white longitudinal stripes.

C. ovata var. obliqua cv. Tricolor

Tree Crassula (Crassula arborescens) - similar to oval Crassula, but its leaves are larger and almost round in shape, and the shade of the leaf blades is grayish-green or gray-blue, silvering in sunlight.

Crassula arborescens

Unusual forms and varieties of Crassula tree:
Undulatifolia - with narrow silver-blue leaves, reddish at the top and located parallel to the stem. A variegated form of this variety is also known - undulatifolia f. variegata with yellow lines along the leaf blades.

Crassula arborescens undulatifolia

Blue Bird is a variety with wavy-curly leaves, known among flower growers simply as Curly Crassula.

Crassula Blue Bird

Beautifully flowering Crassulas

In addition to the spectacular crown, decorative flowering plants in the Crasula genus are loved by gardeners:
Crassula crescent (C. falcata Wendl), or Crassula crescent - a shrub with erect, slightly branched stems about 1 m high. The leaves are fleshy, sickle-shaped, gray-green in color, 7–10 cm long, about 3–4 cm wide. The flowers are bright red to orange-scarlet, grouped in umbrella inflorescences with a circumference of 15–20 cm. Flowering occurs in July - August.

Crassula falcata Wendl

Crassula perfoliata (C. perfoliata) is a plant that readily blooms indoors, almost 1 m high, with triangular-lanceolate leaves, pointed at the tops. The flowers are white or bright red, collected in an umbrella inflorescence, bloom in mid-summer.

Crassula perfoliata

Cooper's Crassula (C. cooperi Rgl.) is a small herbaceous perennial that forms turf. The leaves are lanceolate-lobed, pubescent at the edges, light green, about 10–15 mm long, forming a dense rosette. The flowers are very small, up to 3 mm in circumference, pale beige in color, bloom in July - August.

Crassula cooperi Rgl

Crassula dotted (C. picturata) is a picturesque ground cover plant with densely branching shoots and original multi-colored leaves. Their surface is dotted with small dots: red on the upper side and lilac-purple on the lower side. A row of thin transparent cilia stretches along the edge of the leaf plate. The flowers are small, pink, and form paniculate inflorescences.

Crassula picturata

Columnar Crassula

Crassula perforata (C. perforata) or Crassula perforatum - the stems are few-branched, fleshy, and become woody with age. The leaves are stem-involucre, broadly ovate, approximately 1.5-2 cm long, 0.9-1.3 cm wide, gray-green with microscopic red dots, the margin is ciliated. The flowers are small, snow-white, appear in June - July.

Crassula perforata

Crassula collected (C. socialis) is a low succulent perennial with highly branched thin stems, densely studded with columnar rosettes with miniature, only 5 mm in size, round leaves of a bluish-emerald color with a row of ciliated pubescence along the edge. As it grows, it forms dense turf.

Crassula socialis)

Crassula rock, or broad-leaved (C. rupestris) - similar to the previous species, but taller. The shoots are creeping or vertically growing, fleshy, growing up to 60 cm. The leaf blades are round, greenish-blue in color, closer to the pointed tip they have inconspicuous rusty-red thin stripes.

Crassula rupestris

Pyramidal Crassula (C. pyramidalis) - with stems resembling square columns of triangular leaves closely pressed to one another, only their tips protrude freely. This design of the pagon is adapted to less evaporation of moisture from the surface of the sheet plates. In extreme conditions, an almost round rosette is formed.

Crassula pyramidalis

Buddha’s Temple is a now fashionable variety with columnar pagons, completely covered with triangular leaves curved upward, like the roofs of a pagoda. Created in 1959 by M. Kimnach on the basis of the pyramidal Crassula and the form of Crassula perfoliata var. minor. Blooms at any time. Before opening, the buds are reddish; the flowers blooming in complex umbels are pinkish, fading almost to white.

Crassula Buddha's Temple

Groundcover Crassulas

Mossy crassula (C. muscosa), or lycopodioides (C. lycopodioides) is a low shrub with creeping tetrahedral shoots no more than 25 cm high. The leaves are very small, tiled in four rows, tightly clinging to each other and to the pagon, in bright light slightly shaded with a reddish color. Popular in indoor floriculture, often grown.

Crassula muscosa

Crassula pseudolycopodioides (C. pseudolycopodioides) - with more flexible pagons and loosely arranged leaves on them. The species is known for its cultivars with yellow-green and silver leaves.

Crassula pseudolycopodioides

Crassula tetrahedral, or Crassula tetragona (C. tetragona) - similar to the previous species, but with awl-shaped leaves, almost round in cross-section, about 4 cm long and only 4 mm in diameter.

Crassula tetralix

Bearded Crassula (C. barbata) – the pagons are low, branch at the base and form turfs. The foliage is collected in dense rosettes about 3–4 cm in circumference, green in color, the edges of the leaf blades are bordered by a row of long white hairs. The flowers are miniature, white, open in February - April in dense umbrella inflorescences.

Crassula barbata

Crassula Marnier (C. marnieriana) - the stems are short and have little branching, in young specimens they are erect, drooping with age. The leaves are round, broadly heart-shaped, with a bluish tint and a red border along the edge. The flowers are snow-white, only 4 mm in diameter, bell-shaped and five-petaled.

Crassula marnieriana

Rosette Crassula (C. rosularis) - with very shortened stems and flattened rosettes almost lying on the ground. The leaves are linear-lobed, up to 6–8 cm long, rich emerald color, glossy, in the sun with a reddish tint, dotted with cartilaginous cilia along the edges. The flowers are milky white and open in February or March.

Crassula rosularis

Creeping Crassulas also include the beautifully flowering Cooper's Crassula and Spot Crassula.

Crassula picturata (spot)

Conclusion

The Crasula genus is so diverse that everyone, if desired, will find an interesting specimen to purchase and add a little unusual originality and tropical flavor to the interior of the room. Many species are suitable for flower culture; they are successfully used to create attractive microlandscape compositions in flower containers of various shapes.

Typically, money trees are all plants that come from the Ovata and Arborescence species of the genus Crassula or Crassula. In their appearance with a thick, lignified trunk, a widely branched crown and succulent leaves, they resemble trees, although morphologically they are herbaceous plants. They all have a succulent, segmented trunk. In plants that grow normally in suitable conditions, the leaves always grow upward relative to the trunk. The leaves are simple, entire, sessile, succulent or not very succulent, growing from the stem in pairs. If plants of the type Crassula Ovata (oval) are simply called money plants, then Crassula Arborescence (tree-like) are sometimes called dollar plants. In other countries, they are also called Jade (Money Tree, Penny Plant, Dollar Plant, Tree of Happiness) or Silver Dollar Tree, respectively.

About 5 years ago, P.V. Lapshin wrote on his website that there are a little more than 10 types and varieties of money trees. But the desire to obtain new varieties with different external characteristics, rather than being content with existing ones, expands the horizons of the possible. Moreover, modern methods of influencing plants to obtain new varieties have become more accessible. And now, from all open sources, I have counted almost three dozen species, varieties and forms of money trees. I did not find any information that any variety is a hybrid. On the contrary, those that were previously assumed to be hybrids with herbaceous crassulas turned out to be pure mutants of ordinary money trees. I also received one such mutant. Although I didn’t plan to receive it. Now in my collection the only one in the world so far is Crassula Ovata var. Obliqua f. monstrosa - the monstrous form of Obliqua.

First I will give the generally accepted name, then the name in Russian. After the name of the species or variety there is a characteristic description of the leaves and appearance, but I will not describe the flowers and flowering. Because In our home conditions, money trees practically do not bloom. When describing variegated varieties, I will adhere to the classification proposed by Benjamin Schulz, Germany. It seems to me that this division is most suitable for money trees.

Natural types of money trees.

In nature, only 2 species actually exist, Ovata and Arborescence. Moreover, Ovata has 2 varieties (variety), which do not have their own range, while Arborescence has 2 subspecies and each subspecies has its own range.

1). C. Ovata var. Ovata - Crassula Ovata var. Ovata, the most common due to its survivability. The leaves are green, obovate, glossy, up to 3.5 cm in length. If kept in soil that is too rich in organic matter, they can grow even larger, which is not very acceptable. Young leaves have pointed tips that become rounded as they grow. Under appropriate conditions ( bright sun, low temperatures, closer to 0°C ) first the edges of the leaves turn red, then the entire leaf may turn red. It is advisable to be able to distinguish the reddening of leaves from baying, when the entire leaf turns burgundy and the leaf itself becomes lifeless, from reddening under suitable conditions. Healthy red leaves retain turgor and hang tightly on the branches. And their redness is brighter, lighter and starts from the edge and goes to the base of the leaf. The trunk and branches are initially grayish-green, but under stressful conditions they can take on a reddish color, and over time they become covered with a brownish crust (photo 1).

2). C. Ovata var. Obliqua - Crassula Ovata var. Oblikva. A fairly common houseplant. More difficult to maintain than regular Ovata, because The cover is easy to fill, especially in summer conditions. The leaves and trunk are like those of Ovata, only the tips of the leaves are always noticeably pointed. Young plants have glossy leaves as the plant matures and becomes dull. The leaf size is slightly larger than that of Ovata, but too large leaves also indicate overfertilization. The edges of the leaves also turn red conditions suitable for the synthesis of red pigments (anthocyanins) (photo 2).

3) C. rborescens ssp. rborescens - Crassula Arborescens subspecies Arborescens (tree-like). The leaves are obovate (with pointed ends) (photo 3) or rounded (photo 4), very succulent, usually bluish-green, matte, with a red border and with red dots on the upper side of the leaf, usually larger than the leaves of Ovata. Depending on the conditions of detention, the color of the leaves can change from bright green completely to with red bottom and green top. Branches and trunk are green to grayish brown. More succulent plants than Ovata. They rot easily when flooded.

4) C. Arborescens ssp. Undulatifolia - Crassula Arborescence subspecies Undulatifolia. From the name it is clear that it has wavy leaves. There are also two types. The first type - with oval obovate leaves with a rounded end, less succulent and larger leaves (photo 5). The second type is with oblanceolate with a pointed end and more succulent leaves (photo 6). The leaves are bluish-green in color and have a reddish edge. With a lack of light, they also turn simply green. Trunk and branches like the subspecies Arborescence. Tips for maintenance and care are the same as for ordinary Arborescence.

Due to confusion in publications in various journals between 1963 and 1980, this subspecies is often called the Blue Bird or Blauwe Vogel. This name is synonymous with the name of the subspecies Undulatifolia, according to the generally accepted International Crassulaceae Network description of H.R. Toelken from 1974

Next, we will consider different varieties of the Ovata species. Depending on the shape of the leaves, there are 3 varieties of Crassula Ovata and they, in turn, can have different variegations, i.e. variegated and monstrous forms.

Varieties of the Ovata variety.

5) C. Ovata var. Ovata f. variegata - Crassula Ovata var. Ovata f. variegata. The leaves, like those of ordinary Ovata, only have white stripes of different widths, like the most famous Tricolor variety. Such variegation can be called variegation like Tricolor . A chimeric variety, therefore, when purely green leaves appear, they should be removed to preserve the variety. Under conditions suitable for anthocyanin synthesis, The edges of the leaves become pink. The trunk is whitish-green to green with white stripes in young plants, becoming covered with a grayish-brown crust with age (photo 7).

6) “Shin Kagetsu 2” - Crassula Owata var. Ovata f. media-variegata variety "Shin Kagetsu 2". It has Solana type variegation , When yellowish stripes are located in the middle of the leaf, and the edges of the leaves remain green. Individual leaf fragments lacking chlorophyll sometimes grow slower in this plant than the green parts. Then such leaves curl, and it turns out that some leaves are wavy. Leaf shape is oval, in suitable conditions the edges of the leaves turn pink (photo 8). Surely the variety is chimeric, so all purely green leaves should be removed.

7) C. Ovata var. Ovata cv. "Hummel's Sunset" - Crassula Ovata var. Ovata variety "Hummel's Sunset". With a lack of light, it is almost no different from ordinary Ovata. But in the bright sun under certain external conditions, the characteristic properties of this variety appear. variegation of type Hummel" s Sunset - yellow-pink border along the edge of the sheet . When kept in low temperatures, +5° - +10°C, and in bright light, the leaves acquire a bright pink color, the intensity of which decreases towards the base of the leaf, and the young branches and trunk become almost raspberry-burgundy (photo 9). Instead of green chlorophyll, anthocyanins appear, the synthesis of which is enhanced at those temperatures, and chlorophyll, on the contrary, decomposes. But sometimes, after long hot sunny days for several months, the leaves turn not pink, but yellow-gold! It is known that above +30°C chlorophyll is not synthesized, because in such heat the money trees stagnate, so water does not enter the plant in the required quantity. So carotene colors the leaves yellow-golden. The same yellow-gold color is formed when the temperature drops slightly at night, but not to the temperature at which anthocyanins are formed. As the temperature drops further, a pink color begins to appear. The trunk remains pink-burgundy. I saw photos of such spectacular plants from the Americans. In our Siberian climate we are unlikely to see such colors. Unless you try to artificially create such conditions.

8) C. Ovata var. Ovata cv. "Hummel's Sunset" f. variegata - Crassula Ovata var. Ovata variety "Hummel's Sunset" f. variegata. This plant is very similar to the variegated Crassula Ovata. Distinguished by the presence of pink pigments throughout the plant. Their production is enhanced at temperatures close to +10ºС and in bright light, like the usual """. The bright pink pigmentation on the leaves also decreases from the outer borders to the base (photo 10). In bright sunshine, completely chlorophyll-free leaves can grow. The phrase “variegata variegata” sounds absurd, but this is the characteristic of this variety.

Varieties of the Oblikva variety.

9) C. Ovata var. Obliqua f. variegata cv. "Tricolor" - Crassula Ovata var. Oblikva f. variegata variety "Tricolor". With noticeably pointed tips, the leaves have multiple white fragments , which are necessarily present at the edges of the leaves. These areas deprived of chlorophyll become pink under the influence of low temperatures (up to +5°C). In bright light, completely chlorophyll-free leaves can grow, which exist due to the green fragments of the plant. In such cases, you can shade the plant, but in our Siberian conditions, completely white leaves are very rare. We may have another problem - completely green leaves. They should be removed to maintain grade. The light green trunk and branches become gray-brown over time (photo 13). Due to its mutant nature, it grows slower than ordinary green varieties. Therefore, this variety, like all variegated varieties, is very prone to various bacterial and fungal diseases. To prevent diseases, such plants must be kept in porous, non-moisture-holding soil and rarely watered. When propagated by leaves, an ordinary, green Oblikva very often grows.

All similar varieties of Crassula with variegation of the Tricolor type (Tricolor itself, as well as the variegated Ovata, Hummel's Sunset, Gollum, Legolas) can grow shoots with pure white leaves that have completely lost the ability to synthesize chlorophyll. How would they did not look impressive, P.V. Lapshin recommends removing such chlorophyll-free leaves so that they do not deplete the plant. Anyway, they practically do not grow in winter conditions, and winter, as you know, is long in Siberia.

10) C. Ovata var. Obliqua f. variegata cv. "Solana" - Crassula Ovata var. Oblikva f. variegata variety "Solana". The only Russian variety, bred in the USSR. Abroad, they are often called “Lemon and Lime,” apparently to ignore Russian origin and copyright. It is often misdiagnosed, so it is very difficult to maintain grade. To do this, all completely green leaves and shoots that appear must be removed. Otherwise, they will crowd out slow-growing variegated leaves. A bright pink border along the edges of the leaves at low temperatures is another sign of Solana. The main features of Solana are the characteristic yellowish stripes (from white-yellow to yellow-green) in the middle of a green leaf, and the edges of the leaves remain green, unlike the white edges of the Tricolor variety. The leaves are larger than those of Tricolor (photo 14). Tips for care and maintenance are identical for all variegated varieties of Crassula, and they are given above. Like all chimeras, when propagated by leaves, it often loses its quality; the Oblikva Crassula grows with only green leaves. This Obliqua is slightly different from the natural Obliqua in the shade of the color of the leaves, it has larger leaves and grows faster. And it retains the ability to form a thin bright pink border along the edges of the leaves, whereas in the natural species the edges become red.

11) C. Ovata var. Obliqua cv. "Shin Kagetsu" aka "Maruba" - Crassula Owata var. Oblikva f. variegata variety "Shin Kagetsu" or "Maruba". A very interesting variety recently bred in Japan. The double name of the variety may be due to translation difficulties. Because in Japan, money trees are called "Kagetsu", or "Princess", and translated as New Princess. I don’t know what “” means. And if anyone can help with the translation, I would be very grateful. But, one way or another, both in Japan and throughout the world this variety has two names. However, like some other fat women.

Shows variegation like “Hummel's Sunset”. Leaves that are completely green during winter in bright light and at temperatures slightly below comfortable appear yellow-white stripes on the sides and a bright crimson-pink border. A sort of “Hummel's Sunset” only with pointed leaves and a slight difference in shades (photo 15).

12) C. Ovata var. Obliqua cv. "Shin Kagetsu Nishiki" aka "Maruba Nishiki" f. variegata - Crassula Ovata var. Appearance variety “Shin Kagetsu Nishiki” or “Maruba Nishiki” f. variegata. Continuation of the first Japanese variety with the addition of “Nishiki”. This word is translated as “brocade”, i.e. variegated. It differs from the usual “Shin Kagetsu” by barely noticeable white stripes on the green fragments of the leaves and the preservation of such variegation when the illumination decreases. Another variegated variegata, like the variegated “Hummel's Sunset”. It differs from it in that the pink pigmentation is concentrated only on the outer edges of the leaves and, of course, the pointed tip of the leaves themselves (photo 16).

Varieties of Minor variety.

13) C. Ovata var. Minor cv. "Crosby's Compact" - Crassula Ovata var. Minor variety "Crosby's Compact". Green shiny leaves are small, up to 1.5 cm in length, with pointed tips. Leaves, green young branches and trunk (photo 11) turn red easily in suitable conditions (photo 12). Mature plants have a grey-brown trunk. The apical leaves are usually lighter than mature ones, almost yellow. It is advisable to keep it in a bright place so that the plant does not stretch. Capable of lodging with frequent watering and losing its decorative value as a tree. If kept in soil very rich in organic matter, it may lose grade. It begins to grow leaves of ordinary Ovata, i.e. the variety is prone to reversion.

14) C. Ovata var. Minor cv. "Himeougon Kagetsu" - Crassula Owata var. Minor variety "Himeougon Kagetsu". It is almost no different from "Crosby's Compact" when kept at home, perhaps it has paler leaves that become pink-red when kept in bright sun and uncomfortable temperatures (photo 13).

15) C. Ovata var. Minor f. variegata cv. "Mini Sunset" aka "Helios" - Crassula Ovata var. Minor variety “Mini Sunset” or “Helios”. Also almost the same variety as “Crosby's Compact”, only it has paler green leaves that turn white-yellow in very bright sun at temperatures below comfortable (photo 14).

Varieties of the Tolkien group.

All these varieties are descended from mutations of Crassula Ovata species and varieties. They are not hybrids. The first 2 varieties from this group were named after the heroes of The Lord of the Rings ( The Lord of the Rings) English writer J.R.R. Tolkien. This is where the custom of naming monsters after the heroes of this novel came from.

16) C. ovata f. monstrosa cv. "Hobbit" - Crassula Ovata f. monsterosa variety "Hobbit". This may be the first monstrous variety. The leaves are glossy, small, grow up to 2 cm, the tips of the leaves, under sufficient conditions for the synthesis of pigments, can be red. In bright light, the apical leaves grow almost white, as in the “Crosby's Compact” variety (photo 17).

At first, almost normal, open leaves appear. On the underside of the leaves there is a thin strip from the base to the tip, which divides the leaf in half. Then the edges of the leaves along this strip begin to grow together from below, forming almost cylindrical leaves, open at the top. But it happens that there is no such strip from base to tip. Then such a sheet, when the edges are fused, forms a completely closed sheet, like that of “Coral”. If there is little light, edge fusion may stop anywhere. Therefore, plants can simultaneously have leaves at any stage of fusion: from completely open to completely fused, as in the “Coral” variety.

Green trunks and branches at a young age become covered with a brownish crust over time. When propagated by leaves, it often loses its grade, and, instead of “Hobbit” leaves, “Crosby’s Compact” leaves grow.

17) C. ovata f. monstrosa f. variegata cv. "Red Horn Tree" - Crassula Ovata f. monsterosa f. variegata variety "Red Horn Tree". Due to the shape of the leaves, it is generally accepted that this is a variegated “Hobbit”. The shape and formation of their leaves are the same, only the size of the leaves of the “Red Horn Tree” is huge - up to 4 cm in length. Variegation like “Hummel's Sunset” manifests itself under conditions favorable to the synthesis of pink pigments. The yellow stripe preceding the pink pigments is barely noticeable. The concentration of pigments on the leaves decreases from the edge to the base (photo 18).

18) C. ovata f. monstrosa cv. "Gollum" - Crassula Ovata f. monsterosa variety "Gollum". The leaves, up to 3 cm in length, are glossy, green, the tops turn red at low temperatures. It differs from “The Hobbit” in the shape of the tops of the leaves, which resemble Shrek’s ears. In this variety, the shape of the leaves does not change; initially the leaves grow cylindrical and widen upward. The tops are often beveled and have a slight depression. With a lack of light, the plant is prone to reversion - the appearance of normal, non-monstrous leaves. According to my observations, it easily withstands very infrequent watering. With frequent watering, it loses its compactness and decorative appearance, grows quickly and falls over (photo 19).

19) C. ovata f. monstrosa cv. "Gollum" f. variegata - Crassula Ovata f. monsterosa variety "Gollum" f. variegata. In appearance, it is no different from the usual “Gollum”, except variegation according to the “Tricolor” type. Like all such variegates, it is very difficult to tolerate any floods. According to my information, there is not a single such specimen in Russia (photo 20).

20) C. Ovata f. monstrosa cv. “Coral” (“Skinny Fingers”, “Lady’s Fingers”) - Crassula Ovata f. monsterosa variety "Coral". I don’t like other names for this variety, because its leaves don’t remind me of thin fingers, much less lady fingers. But their shape is very similar to beautiful sea corals (photo 21).

With sufficient light, the leaves are usually cylindrical, slightly narrowed at the top. Green, glossy, grow up to 3 cm if not overfed. It is also capable of reversing in the absence of light. The tops of the leaves also turn red in conditions, suitable for the synthesis of red pigments .

21) C. ovata f. monstrosa f. variegata cv. "Legolas" - Crassula Ovata f. monsterosa f. variegata variety "Legolas". While we are admiring what is shown in photo 22, the variety is completely new, recently bred. Let us dream together about the imminent appearance of such a plant in the vastness of our Motherland.

22) C. Ovata f. monstrosa "Gargoyle" - Crassula Ovata f. monstrosis "Gargoyle". It's hard to describe something you don't know and have never seen. According to B. Schultz, obtained from Crassula Ovata var. Oblikva. The edges of the leaves are entire, and not entire, like all money trees, the surface is not smooth. The leaves are green, glossy, the edges turn red when red pigments are produced. The trunk and branches are ordinary. The plant may be prone to complete reversion, i.e. not a resistant variety (photo 23).

23) C. Ovata var. Obliqua f. monstrosa "Dragon" - Crassula Ovata f. monsterosa variety "Dragon". This is my plant, also obtained from Crassula Ovata var. Oblikva. But if "Gargoyle" may still have false dichotomousbranching, then my plant has “ shrinking of shoots in combination with their chaotic branching" (http://www.lapshin.org/science/leafy.htm) or monstrousness , but without crestiness (photo 24). The first monster leaves had entire edges, but over time new leaves grow with mostly entire edges. The shape of the leaves is very unstable: there are weakly and strongly twisted, folded, wavy. While all Crassula plants have opposite leaves, mine sometimes had leaves that grew without a pair. Therefore, on degraded branches there is a maximum of 5 leaves, with the fifth being the topmost leaf without a pair, which is also the smallest (photo 25). Such a leaf does not grow more than 1 cm, crowning the growth of the branch itself. The remaining leaves are large, up to 3.5 cm in length, very juicy. In the fall, without watering for 3.5 weeks, I kept it on the open balcony at night, where the temperature dropped to almost 0°C, but there were no sub-zero temperatures. My Dragon easily withstood such temperatures, not a single monstrous leaf fell out. But the edges of the leaves turned red (photo 24). The main trunk almost does not grow upward, it grows more in width.

25) C. Arborescens f. cristata "Break Dancer" - Crassula Arborescence f. cristata "Break Dancer". It seems to me that these are cristate forms of two different types of natural tree-like crassula. Photo 27 shows Arborescence cristata, possibly with rounded leaves. These small leaves of cristata are very reminiscent of the leaves of a tree grown in the shade (Fig. 12 in part). And in photo 28, perhaps a cristata

Arborescence with obovate leaves with pointed ends, whose leaves are longer than those of the tree with rounded leaves. Although maybe I'm wrong.

That's how different they are - money trees. Not particularly in need of exquisite care, unpretentious and, at the same time, capricious. Like all succulents, they are capricious regarding light, watering and soil quality. Particularly capricious are variegated and monstrous varieties, which very poorly tolerate excess water and lack of light. With the advent of LED lighting, I realized that at home you can create an excess of light when money trees grow slowly. Therefore, I recommend using simply powerful LEDs with a plant spectrum. Although under the super-powerful SDs I have, although not very close, variegates. And they seem to feel fine. But the cuttings don’t want to take root under them at all; you have to cover them with gauze to shade them. And green natural species also do not like such bright light, as it turned out. All money trees cannot grow in alkaline soil. In such a substrate their roots die. And because We water with tap water, which is initially slightly alkaline, so it is better to either replant the plants in acidic soil once every year or two, or water with acidified water.

Lyuchik (29/10/2014)

Great job, you're great! Most of the literature on these amazing plants is in English, and the rest is rather amateurish. Thank you for the detailed and interesting information!!

Similar articles