Crassula arborescens
Crassula arborescens (Silver Dollar Plant) Care Guide
Featured photocrassula-arborescens.jpgCrassula arborescens, sold as Silver Dollar Plant, is a member of *Crassula*, a southern African succulent genus of around 200 species. A South African shrubby succulent with thick rounded silver-grey leaves, often edged in red, on stout woody trunks. Resembles the related jade plant but with broader rounder foliage. Like most Crassula it tolerates long dry spells thanks to its thick fleshy leaves, and propagates readily from stem or leaf cuttings.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Water deeply when the mix is fully dry, then drain completely.
- Humidity
- 20–50 %
- Temperature
- 10–27 °C
- Soil
- Free-draining cactus or succulent mix with extra perlite or pumice.
- Origin
- Mostly southern Africa (Western and Eastern Cape), with a few species across tropical Africa and Madagascar.
- Mature size
- 10 to 60 cm tall depending on species; some cultivars stay compact.
Overview
Crassula arborescens sits in Crassula, the type genus of Crassulaceae and the family that gives the broader succulent group its name. A South African shrubby succulent with thick rounded silver-grey leaves, often edged in red, on stout woody trunks. Resembles the related jade plant but with broader rounder foliage. Most Crassula come from the winter-rainfall western Cape and grow during cool wet months, slowing through hot dry summers — the reverse of the seasonal pattern most northern hemisphere growers expect.
Care Priorities
- Full sun or very bright filtered light keeps stems compact.
- Free-draining mix; sustained moisture rots the roots.
- Water deeply, then let the mix dry fully.
- Many species rest in summer rather than winter — adjust watering accordingly.
Common Problems
Soft, mushy stems are overwatering — almost always fatal once it reaches the base. Wilted leaves on a dry plant recover quickly after a deep watering. Black spots on stems are a fungal sign of stress; cut back to clean tissue and replant.
Sources & further reading (2)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-29
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-29
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as the jade plant?
No — the jade plant is C. ovata, a separate species with greener oval leaves. C. arborescens has noticeably rounder, paler, more silver-blue leaves often edged in red. Both come from the same South African region.
Why is my Crassula losing leaves at the base?
Lower-leaf drop is normal in mature Crassula and accelerates during the natural rest period. As long as the upper rosette stays firm, the bare stem is structural rather than sick — many species develop attractive woody trunks over time.
Can I prune Crassula to keep it bushy?
Yes — Crassula tolerates pruning well. Cut back leggy stems just above a leaf node and root the cuttings in dry succulent mix. The parent plant typically pushes multiple new shoots from below the cut.
