Difference Between The Jade Plant And Crassula Ovata

The Jade Plant vs Crassula Ovata: A Comprehensive Guide
The Jade Plant and Crassula Ovata are two popular succulents that are often mistaken for one another. While they share a few commonalities, they also vary when it comes to leaf size, sunlight, watering, and temperature. Understanding the differences is necessary in order to provide the best care for each plant.

1. Leaf Size

One of the primary differences between the two plants is in the size of their leaves:

- Jade Plant: Leaves tend to be smaller and more compact, which makes the plant appear dainty.
- Crassula Ovata: Leaves are bigger and thicker, so the plant appears fuller and heavier.

2. Sunlight Requirements
Both plants adore sunlight, but with a difference in their preference:

- Jade Plant: Needs 3 to 4 hours of direct sunlight daily, so ideal for sunny windowsills or outdoor spaces.
- Crassula Ovata: Can tolerate bright indirect light and is more tolerant if it receives less direct sun, so simpler to adjust to shifting light conditions.

3. Watering Needs
In the watering department, both plants have identical requirements:

- Both are drought tolerant and do well with less frequent watering.
- It's best to let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot.

4. Tolerance to Overwatering
Both plants are succulents but differ in their tolerance to overwatering:

- Jade Plant: Somewhat more tolerant to overwatering, though still best to keep from excessive moisture.
- Crassula Ovata: Less tolerant to overwatering, with the roots being more prone to rotting in moist soil.

5. Overwatering Signs

Overwatering will cause noticeable changes in the leaves:

- Jade Plant: Leaves turn yellow, signaling overwatering.
- Crassula Ovata: Leaves turn brown, revealing greater damage.

6. Size and Growth
The plants' size can also be utilized to tell them apart:

- Jade Plant: Tends to remain smaller and is easily adaptable to indoor pots and smaller spaces.
- Crassula Ovata: Grows larger and more tree-like, reaching heights of up to 3 feet.

7. Soil Mix
Both plants prefer the same soil conditions:

- Both plants like a draining, sandy mix of soil.
- It is recommended to utilize a succulent or cactus mix so that water does not sit in the roots.

8. Seasonal Preferences
Both plants have a season in which they prefer to be in:

- Jade Plant: Prefers the summer season, warmer climates.
- Crassula Ovata: Prefers cooler temperatures, winter or mild climates.

9. Temperature Tolerance
Both plants need some level of temperatures at which they perform optimally:

- Jade Plant: Loves higher temperatures and is thus more suited to hot or tropical regions.
- Crassula Ovata: Tolerates lower temperatures and is thus more suited to cooler regions or indoor environments.

By understanding the difference between the Jade Plant and Crassula Ovata, you can provide each plant with the best care that it requires so that it will continue to be healthy and strong. Indoors or outdoors, understanding what they individually need will result in successful plant cultivation.