Money Tree (Crassula): Types, Care (40+ Photos) + Reviews

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Vladimir 11/20/2017

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Today, almost every housewife grows a money tree at home, but not everyone knows how to properly care for it and what features are characteristic of this plant. This is exactly what we will talk about.

Where did this name come from?

Crassula is a plant native to Madagascar. This is a deciduous ornamental tree, some species of which can bloom, although this happens extremely rarely at home. Considering the climate of this plant’s homeland, it can be left without watering for a long time. A sufficient amount of moisture collects in the leaves of the fat plant, which helps the plant “survive” without watering.

Many people know this plant as money tree . Why money? Crassula leaves strongly resemble coins, hence the name. This is what made Crassula a “bait” of wealth.

Minor grade money tree seedlings

Many housewives firmly believe that a fat woman placed according to Feng Shui can attract wealth and prosperity to the house. The pot with the flower should be placed on the eastern or southern window, and its branch should be tied with a red ribbon. According to legend, it is in the fleshy leaves that all the wealth accumulates, and the more branches, the more leaves on the tree, the richer the house becomes.

Description

A photo of a money tree and a description of a houseplant allow you to find out its features. The Crassula genus includes 300-500 species of flowers. These include dwarfs, whose height is no more than a few cm, as well as tall trees growing up to 3-4 meters. Many species are perennials, but there are also annual species that die immediately after flowering.

What does a money tree look like? Most stems are erect or creeping herbaceous. There are shrubs with succulent fleshy or woody trunks, tall tree-like ones. The leaves of the plants are juicy and fleshy, covered with a waxy coating. They have a yellowish, greenish or blue tint, but in the sun they can take on a red or cherry tone. The money tree is an indoor plant that is known for its unpretentiousness and easy care.

Secrets of plant care

Although this plant is not picky in its care, for it to “prosper” you need to create favorable conditions.

To do this, just follow a few simple rules:

In its homeland, Crassula grows in well-drained soil, which can easily be made at home. Sand, peat and soil should be mixed in a ratio of 3/2/2.
Flowerpots for this plant are filled with this mixture.
There must be drainage at the bottom of the flowerpot, about 2 cm thick. The pot should not be deep, clay or plastic
The plant should be placed in the shade; Crassula likes to grow in the shade, where the plant will develop better. If the plant is exposed to direct sunlight, it begins to dry out, turn red and fall off.
The ideal temperature for Crassula is 15-20, but it can withstand 30 degrees just as well. Although the plant can tolerate +5 well, being in a colder environment will lead to the death of Crassula.

Watering a money tree should be considered separately

It is important to remember that you only need to water it when the soil is a little dry. Water it abundantly, but not often. Because of its origin, the fat plant does not like excessive humidity.

If you overwater your money tree, its root system will begin to rot and the plant will die. Care must be taken to ensure that water does not get on the leaves of the tree. In summer and spring it needs to be watered more often than in other seasons.

In winter, the plant is not afraid of the soil drying out even 5 centimeters deep. This is due to the state of rest with the onset of cold weather. At this time, the leaves of the fat plant accumulate the maximum amount of moisture and tolerate such a “drought” without problems.

It is also necessary to monitor the quality of water for irrigation. Settled or melt water with a minimum amount of impurities is suitable for the plant. It is equally important to maintain the liquid at room temperature. The most experienced housewives recommend wiping the dust from the leaves from time to time and spraying them with a spray bottle.

Temperature

In spring and summer, the suitable temperature is 20-25 degrees. It is better to place the flower on a balcony or street, as it is difficult for the tree if there is a lack of fresh air. In winter, the plant is comfortable at 15 degrees, but not less than 4.

At room temperature, the flower can overwinter, but its leaves begin to wither and fall off. It is advisable not to place wood near heating radiators.

How to transplant a Crassula correctly

The plant needs to be replanted once every two years, but not more often, because this plant grows for a long time. Spring is the best time of year for this. But it is important to carry out the replanting process correctly, and to do this, just follow the following instructions:

At the bottom of the pot you need to make a drainage of 2 cm. After this, the pot is filled 1/4 with substrate. According to legend, in order to attract money and positive energy into the house, you need to put a couple of coins at the bottom of the pot, but this is purely optional
The plant must be carefully removed from the old flowerpot, while holding it by the main trunk. The soil from the roots needs to be shaken off and the money tree placed in a new flowerpot. After this, we fill in the soil.

The process of clearing the roots of old soil during replanting

The soil should settle on its own; there is no need to trample it down immediately after replanting. The soil is then added as needed.

The last stage is to water the plant. After replanting, the soil in the pot needs to be loosened from time to time so that oxygen can penetrate to the roots. And, accordingly, water it

Medicinal properties

Although the plant is widespread, not many people are aware of its healing properties. It contains unique substances that are very effective in treating various ailments.

Crassula is used:

For the treatment of dermatological diseases: eczema, psoriasis, lichen, herpes. To do this, apply lotions and wipes with the juice of the culture.
For the treatment of kidney diseases. Use a tincture from the leaves of the plant.
For healing ulcers. You need to eat two mint leaves on an empty stomach. This method helps to cope with colitis and gastritis.

An alcohol tincture from the leaves helps heal and disinfect wounds. It can be used as a gargle. Crassula juice can help cope with hemorrhoids.

Despite all the beneficial properties of the plant, there are also contraindications to its use - this is individual intolerance. An overdose during treatment can also cause allergies.

How to plant a tree to attract money?

After purchasing the sprout, you cannot immediately plant it in the ground. If it’s a warm season outside, be sure to wrap its root with a damp cloth so that the sprout does not dry out. He should lie like this on the windowsill for several days to absorb the atmosphere of the new home.
You need to choose the right pot. Crassula can be replanted many times in one pot, just trim off the roots a little and treat the pot with an antiseptic. A tree that will attract money is the talisman of your home, so you must choose a beautiful and neat pot
The bottom layer in the pot should be made of clay. As mentioned above, coins are placed on it to attract money. It is important to know that the coins must be of the same denomination and face up. It is equally important to fertilize the plant; drainage from river sand and moss, which is placed on top of the coins, will help with this.
If you want to get the maximum effect from the plant, in addition to coins, you can put several paper bills on the bottom. Select the newest bills from the last income received and wrap them in a bag. In this form, place the “amplifier” on the coins.

According to legend, for everything to work, no one should know about the coins and bills in the pot, not even the other inhabitants of the house.

An already grown plant can be decorated; for this, not only the red ribbon mentioned above is suitable, but also various decorations in the form of golden and silver balls, ribbons of the same color, various chains and pendants.

Talismans for attracting wealth, which are often used to decorate the money tree

It is believed that the plant senses your attitude towards it. You need to love and respect him like a pet, talk to him. Delight him with complementary foods and new decorations on new branches.

To maximize the effect, you need to use special water for irrigation. Money will flow into your home like a river if you water the money tree with water that has settled on small coins. This water should be infused for at least 10 days.

Creating the correct tree shape

In order for the money tree to have a lush crown and a thick trunk, it is important to monitor its formation from the first weeks of plant growth. It is recommended to remove the lateral shoots of the money tree until it reaches the desired height.

When the height of the plant reaches 30 cm, its top needs to be pinched. This will encourage it to grow side shoots, and the tree will be lush, with a beautiful and neat crown. Bonuses for roulette and slot machines 3bezdepobonus.com, as well as for video slots.

More than one sprout should not grow in one pot. This promotes the growth of a thick and hard trunk of the Crassula. Even when the plant is already formed, its height and crown still need to be monitored.

Sometimes, in order to get the correct shape of the crown, you have to cut off even mature and mature branches. But after they are removed, the cut site must be treated with ground cinnamon or activated carbon (also finely crushed).

An example of a money tree with a well-groomed and neat crown

Trimming

According to the photo, the money tree flower will fit perfectly into a cozy home atmosphere. Maintenance includes regular pruning, which creates an attractive decorative appearance. Crown formation is performed when the plant is young.

When reaching 15-20 cm, pinch off the top 2 leaves. There will be branching in this area and 2 leaves will appear. As it grows, the top leaves must be removed in areas where branching of shoots is observed. Is it possible to trim the stems and leaves of an adult tree? This is allowed, but then in the area of truncated shoots there will be stumps that spoil the appearance.

Don't know how to pinch fat mushrooms?

Everything is very simple. When a new bud begins to form on the top of the head, between the last two leaves, it must be carefully removed with tweezers.

After this, two buds will begin to form at once, which means two branches will begin to grow at once.

It happens that after this procedure one kidney begins to form again, this is not scary, you just need to repeat the procedure. If you want to create a symmetrical tree, then the plant pot needs to be rotated from time to time so that all sides receive the same amount of sunlight.

Fertilizers for Crassula

Crassula, especially at the beginning of its development, needs to be fed with various vitamins and fertilizers. Fertilizers intended for cacti are excellent for feeding the fat plant. Fertilizers can be either liquid or granular, it doesn’t matter.

As a rule, Crassula requires low concentration fertilizers, but this largely depends on the soil in the flowerpot. If the soil contains organic matter, you need to use half the required dose; for mineral soil, the dose indicated on the package.

During the intensive growth of an adult tree, it must be regularly fed once a month with low concentration fertilizers

Fertilizers are added to the soil from early spring to mid-autumn. Since November, the fat woman does not need feeding.

Watering mode

In the warm season, Crassula requires regular, but very moderate watering. The soil in the pot should dry out at least half between waterings. Excessive moisture threatens rotting of the root system and possible death of the plant. Therefore, the flowerpot should be kept in a tray and excess liquid should be drained.

Water for irrigation is taken that is settled and warm.

Peculiarity! The “money tree” can go without watering for quite a long time - it is more afraid of waterlogging than drying out.

When providing the “Money Tree” with a winter dormant period, watering is canceled, since the plant has enough moisture accumulated in the leaves. If the soil is very dry, it can only be slightly moistened (once every two weeks) to prevent the roots from drying out.

When kept warm in winter, watering is carried out according to the summer principle - depending on temperatures and drying of the soil (twice a week).

The plant does not need to be sprayed either in summer or winter. But wiping the leaves from dust with a damp sponge is useful.

Crassula propagation

Propagating this plant is very simple and is within the power of every novice gardener . There are three ways to propagate a money tree: cuttings, using leaves or seeds. How exactly does this happen? Let's try to figure it out.

Cutting method

If you don’t want to buy a plant, but the money tree fits very well into your interior, you can simply steal a few cuttings from someone. If you approach the issue correctly, you will soon have your own fat woman.

How the process works:

Cut cuttings need to be dried
Select a container with soil in advance. Don't forget drainage
To make it easier for the plant to take root, you can cover it with a disposable cup, making a kind of greenhouse
These cups need to be removed 2 times a day for 5-10 minutes to ventilate the plant.

Crassula cuttings in a glass of water, which have already taken root and are ready for planting

Each cutting needs a separate glass. They need to be removed when the cuttings are well rooted. The plant should be replanted into a pot only after its roots have entwined the soil.

Sheet method

Reproduction by leaves is more common than by root propagation, and the process itself is a little simpler.

To propagate Crassula in this way you need:

Take a little water into a plastic cup or glass and add charcoal to it. After this, put a leaf in a glass and place the container in a dark place.
Once every couple of days, the water needs to be changed to fresh. Repeat the procedure until roots appear
When thin threads of roots have appeared, you need to wait a couple of days. Until they get stronger. After this, plant the sprout in the ground. The process must be carried out as carefully as possible so as not to damage the young roots, otherwise the money tree may not take root.

The leaf of the money tree, fixed in the soil, has already sprouted

Using seeds

Germinating Crassula seeds is not an easy task. This will require a lot of effort and time, but the result of the work will please everyone.

You need to prepare special soil. Mix leaf soil and sand in a ratio of 2:1
The seeds are placed in the ground and the container is covered with cling film. Every morning the film must be removed to ventilate the plant. Spend 5-10 minutes on this. In addition, you need to spray the soil with water using a spray bottle.
As a rule, the first shoots appear after 2 weeks. Then you need to remove the film, but also spray the plants every morning
When the sprouts are more or less strengthened, they need to be transplanted into another box, not very deep. It is important to maintain a distance between them of at least 1 cm
After the fat plant has become a little stronger, it is planted in a separate pot.

Landing

To plant a coin tree, you will need a shoot at least 5-8 centimeters long. Cuttings take root well in the ground. For planting, you should purchase a specialized substrate. Flower shops always have a wide selection of soil for cacti and succulents.

If you plan to prepare the soil yourself, then you should mix one part of turf soil, the same amount of sand and three parts of leaf soil.

Before planting, it is necessary to lay expanded clay drainage at the bottom of the pot. You can also use broken brick chips. Wood ash, mineral complexes and humus can be used as fertilizers. For better survival, the cuttings must be dried. After a day it can be planted in a pot.

In addition, you can root the plant in water, adding a little ash for disinfection. Usually the first roots appear within a week. You can plant the cuttings at the moment when the root system reaches two centimeters.

Another propagation option is leaf rooting. To do this, you need to take a large specimen. The leaf is rooted using the same technology as the cutting. It is necessary to choose a pot for a money tree that is spacious enough, since over time the plant acquires significant dimensions. The cuttings are planted in the middle of the container.

Possible diseases and their treatment

Most money tree diseases are caused by excessive watering. Maintaining a watering schedule is the best prevention for a healthy plant.

Symptoms of diseases due to excess moisture: leaves change color, fall off and wither. If you notice any of this, just stop watering the plant so much.

A clear example of money tree disease due to lack of moisture in the soil

Lack of moisture will also have a bad effect on the health of the fat woman. An indicator of insufficient moisture for the plant is the appearance of small brown dots on the leaves of the money tree.

Moreover, the tree may become limp and not stay on the stem. This suggests that the plant may not have enough light, space in the flowerpot, or pinching the plant was not done correctly.

Difficulties of growing

The money tree, like other indoor plants, is attacked by parasites. Therefore, it is important to know how to get rid of them. The most common parasites include:

Spider mite. In this case, a thin cobweb appears on the leaves and stems. You can cure a tree using a soap solution, Aktellika, Fitoverma, Fufanon.
Shield. It can be recognized by yellow and brown spots on the leaves. The fight is the same as for spider mites.
Mealybug. The pest can be eliminated with a solution of laundry soap and insecticides. When there are few insects, they are removed with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol.

In addition to pests, other difficulties arise when growing a tree:

The roots and base of the trunk rot. This appears when there is a lot of moisture. Crassula should not be watered frequently.
Leaves wither. The phenomenon occurs when there is a lack of moisture.
The leaves are falling off. This is due to watering with cold water, drafts, and lack of fresh air.

Drafts are harmful to Crassula, which lead to drying and shedding of leaves. Suitable conditions ensure normal growth and development of the plant.