How to care for a money tree (Crassula) in a pot at home

Not everyone knows an ornamental plant, which is called "fat woman" or "crassula", But many can answer the question, what does it look like money tree... It is also called the tree of happiness or the monkey tree. These names cover a succulent plant that growers adore for being easy to handle.

Due to the fact that the leaves of this plant look like coins, it was called the money tree. If you believe Feng Shui, then this is exactly the tree that can help you become rich if it is grown in the right place: the southeast or south window. The tree has fleshy leaves that store nutrients. The presence of wealth depends on how fleshy they are. In other words, the state of this tree is directly related to the state of the financial situation of the family.

Due to its original shape (rounded), this tree is considered a source of positive energy, as well as an object that is able to extinguish negative emotions and, thereby, harmonize the atmosphere of the home.

Oddly enough, this tree cannot be bought (as it is believed), but you can grow it yourself. To do this, you should purchase (from neighbors or friends) a process from a money tree.

Description

Crassula, she is a fat woman, or a money tree, belongs to the large family of Fats. In its natural environment, this attractive succulent can be found in the tropical mountainous regions of Madagascar and Africa. To date, more than 300 types of crops are known, but at home, as a rule, they grow an oval jellyfish. And it is this variety that is called the money tree.

Such a plant reaches up to 1.5 meters in height. Its thick trunk and numerous shoots are densely covered with dense, glossy oval-shaped leaves. They look like emerald coins, in fact, that's why the plant got its middle name.

There is a misconception that the money tree does not bloom when grown indoors. But this is not so, just the buds are released only by adult plants, aged from 10 years.

Description and botanical identity of the culture

The Tolstyankov group includes more than 300 varieties plants similar in appearance and cultivation. There are gigantic views up to 4 meters high, others do not grow more than a few centimeters. Some grow for many years, others are annual, whose life cycle ends immediately after flowering and seed formation.

Crassula translated from Latin means "fat". The plant got its name from the fleshy leaves in which it retains water. The leaves are covered with a waxy coating that protects the crop from sunlight and pests. The trunk is most often lignified, new shoots, green, also lignify over time and the tree becomes stronger.

In the process of growth, Crassula releases substances useful for humans - phytoncides, which disinfect the air in the room. It has been noticed that in the room where the tree-like fat woman is located, people are less likely to get sick and recover faster.

For medical purposes, the plant is grown for rubbing joints with arthritis, rinsing the mouth with angina.Juice cure herpetic eruptions, relieve itching after an insect bite.

Caution! All parts of the fat woman contain a strong poison - arsenic, therefore it is strictly forbidden to take it inside.

How to care at home

The money tree, like most succulents, has an unpretentious character. But still, this plant needs to be provided with minimal care, which consists of the following agrotechnical measures:

regular but moderate watering;
periodic fertilization;
pruning and shaping the crown;
planned transplant;
prevention of diseases and pests.

In addition, it is necessary to maintain a certain temperature, humidity and lighting in the room, which is suitable for this indoor plant - the money tree. How to care for a flower is described in more detail below.

Choosing a place for a flower

The fat woman (money tree), the care of which we are examining, belongs to light-loving cultures, but direct sunlight is contraindicated for her. Therefore, when choosing a place for a plant, give preference to an eastern or western windowsill. As a last resort, you can keep the crassula near the south window. But here do not forget to shade the plant from the midday rays of the sun, otherwise the foliage will get burned, which will negatively affect the decorativeness of the tree.

But in the north, the flower will suffer from a lack of sun, and here it will not be possible to grow an attractive culture without illumination with a phytolamp. In addition, the flower may need additional artificial lighting in winter, when the weather is cloudy. If you do not have a phytolamp, then at least move the flower closer to the window.

Care

Lighting

The fat woman loves the sun, but in the summer heat it is worth removing the plant from the south side, as its leaves can burn. Southeast, east, west and southwest windows are best suited for crassula.

Watering

You do not need to water the money tree often. One or two times a week in the summer is enough, and in winter you can water it even less often - once every one to two weeks. If the soil near the flower is dry by 1-2 cm, water it boldly. Water must be taken settled, at room temperature.

Humidity

High humidity has a bad effect on the money tree - from this it can start to rot, pests can start on it. In the summer, during the warm season, it will be useful for Crassula to be outdoors. But you need to watch the weather - the frequent stay of this flower in the rain is unacceptable, it should also be protected from night frosts.

Leaf care

Often, the leaves of money trees, especially large, adult specimens, are covered with dust. It looks untidy, moreover, the dust prevents the plant from "breathing" and traps the sun's rays. Therefore, you can wipe the leaves of the money tree, or sometimes arrange a bath in the shower, or spray it from a spray bottle.

Wash Crassula best in spring or summer, in the evening, so that the sun does not fall on wet leaves. Be sure to cover the pot with soil with a plastic wrap or a bag when bathing, as this houseplant can get sick from the overflow.

Temperature

The temperature should vary with the seasons. The best temperature in summer is 20-25 degrees, and in winter you should keep the fat woman cool. However, Crassula is able to survive the winter heat in a heated room, but it is better not to subject it to such a test.

Fertilizer

Fertilizers designed for succulents or cacti are suitable for a fat woman. The dose of fertilizer should be diluted in half of that indicated. Fertilize in the spring, starting in April, and throughout the summer.

Pests and diseases

The money tree is an unpretentious flower, but sometimes it also gets sick. Why this is happening, and what to do to help Crassula - consider the most common mistakes made by florists.

Leaves turn yellow and fall.Perhaps you flooded the plant, or the roots began to rot. Transplant the plant by gently shaking off the soil from the roots;
If the leaves are shriveled. Most likely, she suffers from a lack of water. Water the plant, the leaves should be straightened the next day;
Soft, pale, and sluggish leaves in the bastard indicate over-watering or stagnation of water in the pot. In this case, transplanting an indoor flower can help;
The trunk of the plant is elongated, and leaves rarely grow on it. This means that the money tree suffers from a lack of sunlight. Look for a place for Crassula on a window on the sunny side;
The leaves of the money flower turned red. Perhaps the fat woman was standing in the sun, and the leaves were sunburned. Move the plant to a place where the sun will not shine as brightly;
A money tree can get sick due to pests that have settled on it, for example, a spider mite, mealybug or scale insect can start on the tree. You can help the plant by treating it with special pest control agents.

Leaf burn / soft leaves due to lack of watering

What temperature is suitable for the plant

The money tree belongs to heat-loving crops, but the plant does not tolerate heat well. Therefore, try to keep the temperature in the room with the flower within the range of + 20… + 25 ° C. If possible, take out the crassula in the summer on the balcony or in the garden. This will only play into your hands. But choose a location that is protected from harsh gusts of wind and direct sunlight.

In winter, it is advisable to create a dormant period for the tree with cooler conditions. And at this time it is better to transfer the flower to a room with a temperature of + 10 ... + 15 ° C. If you do not have such a room, then move the pot closer to the window, where it is always cooler, but make sure that hot air from batteries or heating devices does not get on the flower. From such a "neighborhood" the trunk of the tree will stretch out strongly, and the leaves will fall off, which will negatively affect the decorativeness of the culture.

Another important rule of how to care for a money tree is to regularly ventilate the room. Indeed, without an influx of fresh air, it will not be possible to grow a healthy plant. Therefore, do not forget to ventilate the room at any time of the year. But keep in mind that Crassula does not tolerate temperature extremes and drafts, so during this procedure, take the pot to another room.

How to water a flower

Regular but moderate watering is one of the basic rules of home care. A living tree belongs to succulents, which means that it tolerates drought more easily than waterlogging. But the complete drying out of the soil can be detrimental to Crassula. Therefore, treat watering responsibly.

In the summer, when the weather is hot, moisten the soil every 3-4 days. In winter, reduce watering to a minimum. If you keep the plant in a warm apartment, then 1-2 waterings per month will be enough for it. How do you know exactly when it's time to moisten the soil? Check it, and if the substrate has dried out to a depth of 3-4 cm, then water the flower.

At any time of the year, use only rain or melt water for humidification, the temperature of which is 2-3 degrees higher than in the room. As a last resort, tap water will do. But before watering, it must be filtered and defended for 3-4 days.

Crassula calmly tolerates the dry air of apartments, she does not need spraying. But still, the leaves of the culture should be regularly wiped with a damp cloth from dust. Otherwise, the dirt will block the access of fresh air, which will adversely affect the health and decorativeness of the tree.

And also it is sometimes useful for a plant to have a warm shower. But during this procedure, make sure that moisture does not get into the ground. Therefore, be sure to wrap the pot in plastic.To prevent the wood from overcooled, return it after a shower to its usual place only when all the liquid has drained off.

Learning to feed a fat woman

One of the basic rules of how to care for a money tree is to apply fertilizer regularly. The fact is that Crassula quickly draws nutrients from the soil, and without feeding it does not have enough strength to build up green mass. Therefore, from the beginning of spring to the end of summer, indulge Crassula with fertilizers once a month. And use mineral formulations for cacti as top dressing. In addition, foliar fertilization can sometimes be used by spraying the preparations on the foliage of the tree. But in this case, use a weakly concentrated solution of drugs.

In winter, the plant does not need feeding. But if it is very weak, then fertilize it once a season. At any time of the year, apply the preparations only to wet soil. Otherwise, the compositions will burn the delicate roots of the flower.

Bloom

Crassula will definitely bloom if you choose the right balance of watering and temperature for your flower. In order for the plant to bloom in spring, it is necessary to create a dormant period for it in winter:

Reduce the frequency of watering (once every two, or even three weeks);
Place the plant in a cool place, for example, on a loggia, where the temperature will be 13-15 degrees, but not lower than +10;
With the onset of spring, you need to transfer the money tree to a sunny, warm place;
Watering can be resumed, fertilization can be applied during this period.

Photo: flowering money tree

Pruning and shaping the crown

With proper home care, the money tree flower will grow well, and it is very important to shape the crown so that it does not grow into an ugly bush. First of all, do not forget to turn the plant in different directions towards the light. So it will develop evenly, and no bald spots will form on it.

In addition, for the plant to give more shoots, you need to pinch its top. Moreover, this should be done when 3-4 pairs of leaves appear on a young tree. In the future, the pinching must be carried out for each shoot, when 4 pairs of leaves are formed on them.

If you have purchased an adult tree, then you can shape its crown by pruning. Perform this procedure in the spring, and with exceptionally sharpened and disinfected instruments. After pruning, be sure to sprinkle the cuts with crushed activated charcoal or charcoal.

Varieties of the money tree

In nature and in apartment conditions, you can find several varieties of the fat woman. They differ in color and leaf shape. There are species that are capable of breeding in an aquarium. Others are ground cover or creeping species. The most common variety is Crassula Ovata, which means oval or ovoid.

Crassula tree

Leaves are dark green, can grow with good care up to 10 cm long and 7 wide. The trunk is lignified, it accumulates moisture well and retains it inside. The weak point of the plant is the heavy aboveground part and a small root, which sometimes causes it to turn over. When caring for a money tree at home, you have to put props.

Silvery

It differs from other species in paired opposite leaves. Indoors can grow up to 60 cm.

Hobbit and Gollum cultivars

They differ in the shape of the leaves: in gollum, they are rolled into a tube.

Sunset

A very light-loving plant. Sheds foliage with a red border if the plant is placed in the shade.

Tricolor

The leaves are green with white veins and red edging.

Puffy bastard

A stunted species that grows to a maximum up to 23 cm. The leaves are close to the stem.

Tetrahedral

Pointed leaves, similar to the previous variety, but much larger.

Point money tree

Low grade, growing up to 20 cm. The leaves form cilia at the edges, on top they have a dotted color.

Columnar perforated fat woman

The color of the leaves is light green, almost gray, resembling a rhombus in shape. Located opposite each other.

United

The leaves are similar in shape to the previous variety, but they form hairs, and under the influence of sunlight, the edge of the leaf changes color.

Rock

Tall plant with blue-tinged leaves close to the stem. Round at the base, they end with a point. Shoots can grow in the apartment up to 60 cm.

Transplant rules

If you provide proper care for the flower, the money tree will quickly grow and it will become cramped in the old pot. Therefore, you cannot do without a transplant. It is advisable for young plants to carry out this procedure every two years. Adult fat women are transplanted less often, approximately once every 3-4 years.

Start the event in early spring, then the plant will more easily transfer the stress from the transplant and take root faster. The money tree has shallow roots, so choose a shallow pot for it with a diameter that matches the size of the crown. Also, opt for heavy and sturdy flowerpots to prevent the plant from collapsing under its own weight. For this reason, you should not plant the flower in plastic containers.

As for the soil, the plant prefers light, breathable soil with a neutral reaction. A store-bought mixture designed for succulents is suitable. If you want to make the substrate yourself, then mix turf, humus, sand and leafy soil in a ratio of 4: 1: 1: 1. Be sure to disinfect this mixture so that the plant does not suffer from microbes and pests that live in the soil. To do this, ignite the substrate in the oven or hold it over steam.

How to transplant a plant

Transplant the money tree, for which we are disassembling home care, proceed as follows:

At the bottom of the new pot, pour a layer of drainage 3 cm thick. Expanded clay, pebbles or broken brick will do. Cover the drain with a 1-inch layer of soil.
Remove the wood carefully from the old container. To make this easier, water the flower 3-4 hours before the event.
Lightly shave off the earthy ball and examine the roots of the plant. If necessary, cut out damaged and rotten shoots, remembering to treat the cuts with crushed charcoal.
Place the flower in the center of the pot, spread the roots slightly and cover the voids with soil.
Water the soil and transfer the plant to a bright place out of direct sunlight.

How to care for a flower money tree after transplanting? At first, regularly loosen the soil to a shallow depth. So, you will increase the access of air to the roots, which will improve the survival rate of the crop.

How the plant is sick and methods of treatment

Decay of roots

Symptoms:

soft stem and leaves.

Treatment:

gently remove the plant from the pot and free its roots from the ground. After that, carefully examine the rhizome, if it is not completely damaged, then the plant can still be saved, if not, then, unfortunately, you will have to throw it away. It is necessary to cut off the damaged areas of the root and treat the healthy ones with a fungicide, dry and transplant the plant into a new pot.

Fungus - gray rot

Symptoms:

leaves turn yellow and become covered with brown spots.

Treatment:

the same as with rotting roots.

Spider mites

Symptoms:

thin, almost invisible cobweb that envelops the leaves and stems of the money tree. It appears when the plant is not watered for a long time and its leaves are not wiped from dust.

Treatment:

treat the top of the money tree with a broad-spectrum insectoacaricide.

Powdery mildew (mealybugs)

Symptoms:

leaves and trunk become sticky and as if covered with a coating. Most often they attack weakened plants.

Treatment:

wipe the damaged areas with a napkin dipped in medical alcohol, and in case of complete infection, treat the fat woman with a broad-spectrum insectoacaricide.

Such brown spots on the leaves of a money tree can be not only a sign of fungal infection of the roots, but also an ordinary sunburn received from direct sunlight.

Propagation by cuttings

The fat woman reproduces well at home, if you wish, you can grow a large collection of these attractive plants. And the easiest way to do this is by cuttings, and a novice florist can also cope with this event.

Start reproduction in early spring, when the plant begins its vegetative period. For cuttings, choose top, strong shoots, and cut them so that there are several leaves on each workpiece, and their length reaches 10 cm. Air dry the branches for a day, and then plant them in containers filled with a nutritious substrate. Spray the soil occasionally with warm water from a spray bottle, being careful not to get moisture on the plants. Rooting will take 1-2 weeks. When the cuttings are strong enough, transplant them into individual pots.

If you don't want to mess with the soil, you can also root the plants in water. How to do it? Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting and place it in a glass of water half full. Be sure to add any growth stimulant to the liquid, for example, "Kornevin" or "Zircon". Keep the plant in partial shade and add water as needed. Rooting in this case will take up to two weeks.

Growing from seeds

This method is quite laborious and requires a lot of time and certain knowledge. However, if you want to grow a new rare strain, you can experiment.

Start the event in the spring. First, prepare shallow containers and make some drainage holes in them. Fill the containers with a disinfected mixture or leaf earth and sand in a ratio of 2 to 1. Spread the seeds of the plant evenly over the substrate, and sprinkle them with a layer of sand 0.5 cm thick. Sprinkle the planting with water, and cover with plastic or glass.

Place a makeshift greenhouse in a bright and warm place. Ventilate the planting regularly and spray the soil with warm water from a spray bottle if necessary.

The first shoots can be expected for 2-3 weeks. When the seedlings are strong, dive them into individual pots filled with a mixture of leafy earth, sand and turf soil (2: 1: 1). How to care for money trees in the future? Keep the seedlings in a bright place out of direct sunlight. Water the soil occasionally without letting it dry out completely. When the young trees are 7 cm tall, transplant them into potting medium as for mature plants, and provide the crops with routine maintenance.

Diseases and problems of growing

With proper care, an indoor money tree almost never gets sick. But if you regularly violate the norms of agricultural technology, then the fat woman will start to be capricious. The following problems may arise with it:

Leaves discolor and wilt. As a rule, this phenomenon occurs in winter, and it occurs due to over-watering. To correct the situation, normalize moisture and the plant will recover.
The tree sheds its leaves. Insufficient watering or humidification with cold water leads to this phenomenon. How to care for a money tree flower to rectify the situation? Normalize irrigation, and do not forget to water the plant with warm water, and the bastard will restore the splendor of the crown.
The leaves lose their shine, darken and wrinkle. This is how the plant reacts to severe drying out of the soil.Water the tree immediately, remove damaged leaves and further normalize irrigation.
The shape of the tree is strongly deformed, and the plant loses its decorative effect. Lack of light leads to this phenomenon. Move the pot closer to the window, or arrange additional artificial lighting. And over time, the fat woman will restore its decorative shape.
White or brown spots form on the leaves. This suggests that the fat woman fell ill with a fungal disease. Treat the plant immediately with a fungicide and repot it in new soil if necessary.

Medicinal properties of the fat woman

The money tree has not only decorative but also medicinal properties. Traditional medicine uses the juice of its leaves to treat abscesses, sore throats, herpes, psoriasis, lichen (more effective treatments for lichen is described here and here), arthritis and other joint diseases. But if you want to try the fat woman treatment, you first need to consult your doctor.

Compresses made from fatty tincture are sometimes helpful against varicose veins. Prepare it as follows: the leaves are washed, crushed, poured into a glass container and poured with vodka. The container is closed and kept for a whole month in a dark, cool place.

For the treatment of inflamed joints, fresh gruel from the leaves is applied to the sore spot. They keep such a compress all night.

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Getting rid of pests

As a rule, bastard juice repels insects. But with frequent mistakes in care, the money tree weakens and becomes vulnerable to various pests. Often, flower growers are faced with such parasites:

Spider mite. This parasite can be recognized by the white lumps that form on the leaves and shoots of the plant, as well as by the sticky webs. If you notice a pest, then treat the tree twice with soapy water, maintaining an interval between procedures of 5-6 days. If this does not help, then spray the flower with an insecticide, for example "Fitoverm" or "Aktellik".
Mealybug. This parasite leaves a white bloom and cotton-like lumps that can be found in the axils of the leaves. A soap solution helps to get rid of insects. If the colony of parasites is too numerous, then it is better to treat the flower with an insecticide "Aktara" or "Aktellik".
Shield. These insects can be seen with the naked eye, and they look like brown bulging spots. The shield will have to be removed manually using a cotton swab dipped in kerosene or alcohol. After that, it is imperative to treat the plant with soapy water. And such procedures will have to be repeated until the pests are completely destroyed.

Provide good care for the money tree, and any parasites will bypass your pet.

Feng Shui lessons: making a lucky talisman out of wood

The fat woman serves not only as a decoration for the house, because this flower purifies the air and kills microbes, making the microclimate of the room healthier. And besides, according to the teachings of Feng Shui, Crassula brings good luck and wealth to the house. So this is not only a beautiful, but also a useful houseplant (money tree). How to care for a flower to make it a lucky talisman? Follow these recommendations:

Use only strong and healthy seedlings to grow the money tree.
When planting the fat woman, put eight coins of the same denomination on the bottom of the pot. And place them only with the coat of arms up.
Landing itself is carried out on Wednesday, and preferably on the growing moon. From this, the magical properties of the plant will increase tenfold.
Hang coins on the branches of the crassula, stringing them on red silk threads.
Take proper care of the flower, because only lovingly grown plants bring good luck. Moreover, feng shui experts recommend watering the fat woman exclusively on Wednesdays. It is believed that on this day the plant is saturated with good luck, which is then shared with you.

Now you know everything about what a money flower is and how to care for it. Adhere to these recommendations, create comfortable conditions for the plant, and it will not only delight with its decorative look, but also bring wealth and good luck to the house.

More about Fatty

Fatty or Crassula Ovata, also commonly known as the Money or Jade tree, has rounded leaves and thick branches that contain a lot of water.

Strongly illuminated leaves turn red. Photo is used as an illustration. Source: Yandex.Images

They usually grow quite low to the ground and grow no more than 50 centimeters in height. In strong light, the leaves of the plant can be colored in different shades of red and orange. It is very beautiful, but it can be harmful to the health of your flower.

And although the variety of Fat Women is huge (according to various sources, there are from 200 to 500 species), all species can be looked after in the same way as Crassula Ovata.

See also: Top dressing of the Fat Woman

Basically, if your plant is considered Crassula, you can propagate and care for it in the ways described below (do not forget to read the last very important point at the end of this article).