Jade Silver Dollar

The Silver Dollar Jade, scientifically known as Crassula arborescens, is a succulent plant native to the arid regions of South Africa. It gets its common name from the shape and color of its leaves, which are round like coins and have a silvery-blue tint with reddish edges. This plant is closely related to the more familiar jade plant (Crassula ovata), but it has a more compact, shrubby growth habit and thicker, flatter leaves. It’s a slow-growing plant that can eventually reach a few feet tall, making it a popular choice for bonsai or container gardening indoors.

As a houseplant, the Silver Dollar Jade is prized for its low maintenance and drought tolerance. It thrives in bright, indirect light but can also handle a few hours of direct sun each day, especially in the morning. Its succulent leaves store water, so it's important to let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. A well-draining potting mix—such as cactus or succulent soil—is essential, and containers should have drainage holes. During the growing season in spring and summer, it benefits from light feeding with a diluted succulent fertilizer, but it needs little to no fertilizer in the winter months.

Caring for a Silver Dollar Jade also involves occasional pruning to maintain its shape and remove any dead leaves. It prefers average indoor temperatures and lower humidity levels, similar to its native climate. Repotting every two to three years can help refresh the soil and give it room to grow. With the right care, this unique succulent can become a long-lasting and visually striking part of your indoor plant collection.