I get acclimated to many of the plants I once just couldn’t live without. Novelty fades. Maybe living with splashy variegation turns out to be a bad idea, or the perfect focal point turns out to be too domineering, a visual bully. The wavy leaf jade plant has a contained exuberance that never grows tiresome. It’s slowly, neatly filled out its container like a one-scoop ice cream cone. (And then there’s that growing resemblance to Sideshow Bob.) It puts some serious spin on the ubiquitous jade plant. In climates too cold to grow outside, I think its slow growth and compact form would justify giving it a berth indoors for the winter. And then there’s that indomitable will to survive that all jade plants possess. You just can’t kill them.
What would become exhausting in human form is endlessly charming in a plant. All that busy, wavy personality really grows on you.
I have a similar affinity for jade of all types – this one is wonderful! However, I have a question. In recent months I’ve had a few come down with a fuzzy white fungus that centers around the leaf nodes. It has completely decimated my largest specimen and now I’ve noticed some spots on my very favorite little guy that I have [proudly] bonsai’d over many years from nothing but a fallen branch portion into something quite attractive. Any tips on fixing this problem? It only seems to affect the jade and aloes (and I have quite the variety of succulents throughout the house.)
I live in Baltimore, MD – i.e. much of the time my plants are indoors.
I love your blog! Fantastic pictures and writing.
How about that, I was just looking at that plant at the nursery today. It does look like an ice cream scoop of plant.
I have to admit to not being find of most Crassula, this one however is awfully cute.
@Jon, I’ve got a bonsai’d jade plant too, with a huge trunk — neglect produces awesome bonsai specimens 😉 As far as the fungus, yikes! Is it mealy bugs? A 1:3 mix of plain isopropyl alcohol to water I’ve read can be effective. Keeping succulents alive over winter indoors — my hat is off to you!
@Hoov, at a nursery today? Good to know. I haven’t seen it for sale. This was a gift from Dustin.
@Loree, jade plant loathing, I completely understand.
Correctly, this plant is Crassula arborescens ssp. undulatifolia.
Appreciate that info. Thanks, Lonnie.
Lonnie, thanks so much for the info!