Mumbai: Thinking of which plants to include in your indoors? Consider the Jade plant. Crassula ovata, widely known as the jade or lucky plant, is a succulent and makes for a must-indoor plant. It adds a luxurious touch to your decor while offering various benefits.
Is Jade an indoor plant?
Jade is an indoor plant and is perfect for your space. Its round, fleshy leaves and low-maintenance nature have increased its popularity. It symbolises luck and prosperity and is considered good Feng Shui to place a jade plant near the front door to attract wealth into the home.
While primarily grown as a houseplant, the jade plant can also thrive outdoors as an evergreen perennial shrub in warmer climates.
Benefits of Jade plant
Purifies air: They purify the air by removing harmful toxins like benzene and formaldehyde improving indoor air quality and making the interior living environment healthier.
Low maintenance: Given our busy lives, jade plants are ideal because they are low maintenance and easy to care for.
Feng Shui: In Feng Shui, jade plants are believed to bring good luck and fortune. Placing them in the southeast corner of a room is said to attract prosperity and wealth.
Decorative: With their unique, lustrous appearance and thick, glossy leaves, jade plants add a touch of aesthetic to any room.
Symbolic: In various cultures, the jade plant symbolises friendship, loyalty, and good fortune. Giving a jade plant as a gift is thought to bring good luck and prosperity to the recipient.
Jade plant care tips
How to plant a Jade plant
Choosing a suitable pot: Select a pot with drainage holes to allow excess water to drain out. The pot should be slightly larger than the plant’s root ball.
Preparing the soil: Jade plants prefer well-draining soil. Mix potting soil with sand or perlite for better drainage.
Planting the Jade plant: Place the jade plant in the centre of the pot and fill it with soil, leaving about an inch of space at the top. Press the soil firmly around the plant to remove air pockets.
Watering: Water thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain out. Let the soil dry completely before watering again.
Place in a suitable location: Jade plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight.
How to take care of a Jade plant
Watering: Jade plants are more likely to die from overwatering than underwatering. Water the plant thoroughly and let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Typically, water every 7 to 14 days, with more frequent watering in summer.
Fertilising: Jade plants require minimal feeding. Use a mild, all-purpose organic fertiliser in early to mid-spring as they come out of semi-dormancy. Fertilise at half strength every 1 to 2 months during the growing season.
Pruning: Wait until the plant is at least a year old before pruning. The best time to prune is from spring to early summer during new growth. Use sterile, sharp pruning tools to avoid tissue damage and disease. Pruned branches can be propagated into new plants. Thin branches for better light and air circulation. Avoid cutting the main trunk; instead, cut drooping branches back to the trunk to encourage robust growth.
Repotting: Jade plants grow slowly and prefer to be somewhat pot-bound. Repot younger plants every 2 to 3 years and mature ones every 4 to 5 years. Repot in spring when new growth begins, using a pot lightly larger than the current one.
Pests: Mealybugs are the most common pests on jade plants, but aphids, spider mites, and scale can also occur. Rinse the foliage with water to remove most pests. Allow the plant to dry, then wipe the leaves with a cotton ball or swab dipped in 70% rubbing alcohol to kill remaining pests. Repeat as needed. Avoid using horticultural oils and insecticides.
Jade plant varieties
Traditional Jade plant: Also known as the Money Plant, this common type has thick, oval-shaped leaves growing in opposite pairs.
Hobbit Jade plant: This variety has small, round leaves that are curled and stacked, resembling the character Gollum from ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ hence also called the Gollum Jade Plant.
Ripple Jade plant: As the name suggests, this type has rippled or crinkled leaves, adding a unique texture to any indoor garden.
Variegated Jade plant: This plant features leaves with green and yellow or cream-coloured stripes, making it a stunning, colourful addition to any room.
Tricolour Jade plant: This rare variety has leaves with three colours—green, yellow, and red—highly sought after by collectors.
Silver Jade plant: This type has leaves covered in a silvery-grey coating, giving it a unique and beautiful appearance.
Jade plant price
Jade plant can cost anywhere between Rs. 150 to Rs. 700 and more.
Jade Plant placement as per Vastu
In Vastu Shastra, the placement of plants affects the energy flow of a space. Here are some guidelines for its placement:
North or East direction: Placing the jade plant in the North or East direction is considered auspicious, and believed to bring good luck and prosperity.
Living room: The living room is ideal for the jade plant, as it enhances the flow of positive energy in this social space.
Entrance: Placing the jade plant near the entrance is believed to attract wealth and prosperity.
Office: In the office, the jade plant can be placed on the desk or in the reception area.
The Jade plant is a versatile and attractive houseplant that offers numerous benefits and enhances the energy and style of your home.
Explore the Jade plant (Crassula ovata), a popular succulent known for its round, fleshy leaves and easy care. Learn about its benefits, including air purification and symbolism in Feng Shui, care tips for watering, fertilising, pruning, and dealing with pests, as well as the different varieties available. Discover why this plant is a great choice for any home. Home & Garden Lifestyle News -Fashion Trends, Beauty Tips, Celebrity Party News, Relationship advice, Travel and Food Tips
