Crassula arborescens, popularly known as the Silver Dollar plant, is an easy-to-grow succulent plant. Crassula Arborescens plants are low-maintenance flowering plants that can be used to improve the aesthetics of the home. They are mostly grown indoors under supervised care, but can as well be grown outdoors if you know how to meet their needs. As an outdoor plant, the silver dollar plant will look great on your balcony and terrace.
The silver dollar plant belongs to the Crassulaceae family of succulent plants and is native to the southern part of Africa and Mozambique. The Crassula arborescens is a great plant you can consider growing as a bonsai tree due to its mini tree-like stature. Their leaves are somewhat fat. They grow in an oval or egg shape with a grayish to bluish shade and also have a reddish tip.
Under proper care and maintenance, the silver dollar plant can grow to a height of around 4 to 5 feet, with its leaves reaching a length of about 7 centimeters (3 inches). They are also considered toxic to pets such as cats and dogs.
Plant Overview
| Scientific name | Crassula Arborescens. |
| Common name | Silver dollar plant, silver jade plant, silver dollar jade plant. |
| Origin | Mozambique and South Africa. |
| Size | Between 4 to 5 feet high. |
| Lighting | Bright indirect sunlight. |
| Soil | Moist but also well-drained sandy or loamy soil. |
| Temperature | 65 – 70 °Fahrenheit ( 18 – 21 °Celsius). |
| Fertilizer | Balanced fertilizer. |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets. |
| Propagation | Leaf or stem cutting. |
Silver Dollar Plant Care
The silver dollar plant is a straightforward plant that is easy to grow and maintain. Once you meet all its growing requirements, you will end up with a healthy and beautiful-looking succulent plant. It is an excellent plant for both new and experienced gardeners.
Light Requirements
The silver dollar plant should be grown in an area with access to bright indirect or filtered sunlight. They can withstand a little bit of direct sunlight for a few hours per day, but shouldn’t be exposed for long. They are extremely sensitive to sunburn, so exposing them to direct sunlight over a long period is always a bad idea.
When growing indoors, the best location would be an east-facing window. This way, the plant will be getting the early morning sun for a few hours daily, and also get protection against the scorching afternoon sun. Avoid the south-facing windows as they can be too hot for the plant.
Soil Requirements
Due to their nature, succulent plants require soil that will not only be able to remain moist at all times but also drain fast. They are very susceptible to root rot, so avoid growing them in compact soil.
When creating your potting mix, ensure you add perlite and orchid bark to your mix to increase aeration within the soil. Avoid adding too much peat or sphagnum moss, as it can make your soil retain more moisture than what a succulent plant might require.
You can also make use of already-made cactus potting mixes as they are great for the majority of succulent plants.
Water Requirements
Succulent plants are generally known for their ability to retain water in their leaves, stems, and/or roots. This allows them to be drought-resistant. This is one of the major reasons why they are considered low-maintenance plants.
When it comes to watering the silver dollar plant, the best advice would be to do it moderately. Overwatering is a common issue with growing this plant. To prevent that from happening, you should only water your silver dollar plant when it becomes evident that the top layer of the soil is completely dry.
Also, when growing indoors, your containers should have proper drainage holes at the bottom to help remove excess water.
Fertilizer Requirements
Another great reason why this plant is loved by many is that fertilization is not required. They do not require extra feeding to grow healthy.
For healthy and stress-free growth, grow your silver dollar plant in humus-rich soil that is also rich in compost materials. This is enough for your plant. When growing in containers, you can mix your potting mix with organic compost to give it more nutrients.
But if you feel like fertilizing your plant to give it extra nutrients, there is nothing wrong with that. You should consider using a slow-release fertilizer and avoid using it during the winter season or in cold regions.
Temperature And Humidity
Most succulent plants are capable of withstanding high temperatures; that’s why they are mostly found growing in the desert.
The optimal temperature for growing the silver dollar plant is in the range of 65–70 °F (18–21 °Celsius). They are capable of going over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, but anything above that should be avoided.
When it comes to humidity, keep it between 30 and 50 percent. When the temperature gets too hot indoors, you can always mist your plants to keep them cool.
Pruning
The silver dollar plant does not necessarily require any form of pruning except when removing old and withered leaves. The best time to carry out pruning is during the active growing months.
To do this, use a clean and disinfected pruning shear or scissors to cut off old leaves at the base of the plant.
Do not go crazy while doing this. Make sure you try to make a minimal number of cuttings at a time so as not to strip the planet of most of its foliage.
Propagation
Stem or leaf cutting is one of the best methods of propagating crassula arborescens plants. This is best carried out in spring or summer, but can also be done any time of the year.
Use clean and disinfected scissors to make a healthy cutting of either a stem or a leaf from your silver dollar plant. Plant this cutting in nutrient-rich soil that’s also well-drained. Also, place it in an area with bright indirect light, and in about a month, the plant should have developed roots.
Common Health Problems/Pests And Diseases
Due to the thick nature of their leaves, it is rare to see the silver dollar plant attacked by pests, but that doesn’t absolve them completely.
They are still prone to attacks from spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and some other stubborn household pests. These pests can easily be handled by using insecticidal soaps to wash the leaves.
Common health problems associated with the silver dollar plant are rot in general. Root rot is a common enemy of this plant, and it is caused by overwatering of the plant.
FAQs
Yes. Crassula arborescens are toxic to both pets and humans. It can irritate the mouth if ingested.
Yes. The silver dollar plant belongs to the crassulacean family of succulent plants.
The ideal temperature for growing the silver dollar plant would be around 65-70 °Fahrenheit (18-21 °Celsius).
No, Silver Dollar plants do not require any additional feeding as long as the soil is nutrient-rich and well-drained. That is enough for the healthy growth of the plant.
As succulent plants, silver dollar plants have the ability to store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, giving them the ability to survive for a while without needing water.
