Succulents are easy to care for, can withstand a great deal of neglect and mismanagement and are amongst the easiest of all plant groups to propagate. They are easily defined as plants with fleshy leaves or stems which can store water. Hundreds of succulents with widely differing shapes and sizes are commercially available. Most of them have a rosette shape, as the tightly packed leaf arrangement helps to conserve water in their desert habitat. With age some of these types become 'rosette trees' with leaf clusters at the ends of woody stems. The remainder grow as trailing or bushy plants.

Despite the wide variety of shapes, the succulents are remarkably consistent in their needs. They evolved in the dry areas of the world and their general requirements are related to this habitat, free draining compost, sunshine, fresh air, water in the growing season and a cold and dry resting period. Winter dormancy is vital if you want your plants to bloom and last for many years. Another requirement for top quality plants is a period outdoors in summer.

While the Jade Plant is a succulent it falls into the category of Crassula. There are no typical foliage or growth characteristics to help you identify a Crassula. Leaves range from scale-like to several inches long, growth habit from sprawling to stiffly erect and leaf colour from grey to red.

One of the most popular species is Crassula argentea with its tree like trunk growing three feet or more. C. arborescens is rather similar, but the leaves are less rounded and are greyish in colour. There are several Crassulas with stems which seem to grow through the fused leaves, C. perforata, (two feet tall)and the very similar C. rupestris are the usual ones. C. falcata has larger leaves than any other common Crassula. This grey leaved, red flowering species is easy to grow. It reaches approximately two to three feet, much taller than the upright branching stems of the C. lycopodioides which are completely clothed with minute fleshy scales. A specialist supplier will offer many others.

I purchased the Jade Plant (C. argentea) pictured below. This lovely little specimen with the fringe of red around the outer leaves is magnificent. Getting involved with houseplants can be a very rewarding hobby. Gail's display is an inspiration for any visitor to her home. With a little luck and lots of advice many gardeners can expand their avid interest to indoor plants.

Secrets of Success And Special Problems

Temperature: Average warmth from spring to autumn, succulents unlike most houseplants relish a marked difference between night and day temperatures. Keep cool in winter 50 - 55 F. is ideal but no harm will occur at 40 F. Light: A windowsill is the right spot, as some sunshine is vital. Choose a south facing windowsill if you can but some shade in summer may be necessary. Water: Treat as an ordinary houseplant from spring to autumn, watering thoroughly when the compost begins to dry out. In winter water very infrequently, once every one to two months. Air Humidity: No need to mist the leaves. The main requirement is for fresh air, open the window in summer. Repotting: Only repot when essential, then transfer to a slightly larger container in spring. Use a shallow pot rather than a deep one. Propagation: Cuttings root easily. Take stem cuttings, offsets or leaf cuttings in spring or summer. It is vital to let the cuttings dry for a few days, large cuttings for one to two weeks, before inserting in compost. Water very sparingly and do not cover with polythene or glass. Stem Elongated and Misshapen: The cause is too much water in winter or too little light in summer. Turn pots occasionally to ensure even growth. Brown Soft Spots: The cause is leaf spot disease. Water with systemic fungicide and improve ventilation. Sudden Loss of Leaves: This could be cause by using very cold water straight from the tap, use tepid water. Another possibility is underwatering in the summer. Brown Dry Spots: This is caused by underwatering. Remember that succulents require generous watering in the summer. Leaves Wilted and Discoloured: Overwatering especially in winter can cause this to happen. Rot At Base Followed By Stem Collapse: The cause is too much water in winter. Use upper stem for propagation and next time avoid overwatering in winter. Cover compost surface with a layer of stone chippings. Rot At Base Followed By Stem Collapse: The cause is basal stem rot disease, due to overwet conditions in winter. Use upper stem for propagation. Next time avoid overwatering in winter, and cover compost surface with a layer of stone chippings.