Have you ever wondered if the popular jade plant is the same as the South African succulent, the spekboom? If so, you are not alone! This article will provide you with the answers to your questions, exploring the similarities and differences between these two plants.
We will take a look at what a jade plant and a spekboom are, how they look different, where they come from, their care requirements, similar succulents, and how to tell the difference.
So, if you want to learn more about these two fascinating plants, keep reading!.
Short Answer
No, jade plant (or Crassula ovata) and spekboom (or Portulacaria afra) are two different species of plants.
The jade plant is a succulent shrub of the Crassulaceae family, while spekboom is a succulent shrub of the Portulacaceae family.
Both plants are native to South Africa, but jade plants are found in other parts of the world as well.
What is a Jade Plant?
The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a succulent native to South Africa that is becoming increasingly popular as a houseplant in other parts of the world.
This vibrant evergreen shrub is known for its thick, glossy, and fleshy leaves that grow in an attractive rosette shape.
The jade plant is a hardy succulent that is extremely easy to care for and is tolerant of a range of light and water conditions.
It prefers bright, indirect sunlight and should be planted in a well-drained and sandy soil mix.
The jade plant should only be watered when the soil has completely dried out and can be easily propagated from cuttings.
What is a Spekboom?
Spekboom, or Portulacaria afra, is a succulent native to the Eastern Cape of South Africa.
It’s a member of the Portulacaceae family, and is closely related to the jade plant.
It is a low-growing, bushy shrub that can reach up to 2.
5m in height, with slender branches and long, delicate, needle-like leaves.
The leaves are a deep green colour, and the plant produces small pink flowers during its blooming season.
Spekboom is drought-tolerant, and prefers bright light and regular watering.
It can be used for erosion control, as well as for landscaping and ornamental purposes.
The plant is known for its ability to store carbon dioxide in its leaves, making it an important tool in the fight against climate change.
How Do They Look Different?
The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a succulent with thick, fleshy leaves that are a deep green color and can grow up to 2-3 feet in height.
The plant is often used as a houseplant, but can also be grown outdoors in warm climates.
It prefers a sunny spot and should be watered infrequently.
On the other hand, the spekboom (Portulacaria afra) is a succulent native to the Eastern Cape of South Africa that has fine, needle-like leaves.
It is a larger plant, growing up to 10-15 feet in height, and prefers bright light and regular watering.
The jade plant has thick, rounded leaves and an upright growth habit, while the spekboom has fine, needle-like leaves and a bushy, sprawling growth habit.
The jade plant also tends to be more drought-tolerant than the spekboom and can survive with less water.
Additionally, the jade plant can grow in a variety of soils, while the spekboom prefers sandy, well-drained soils.
Finally, the jade plant is a popular houseplant and can be kept indoors in a pot, while the spekboom is typically grown outdoors and can be planted in a garden or container.
Where Do They Come From?
The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a succulent native to South Africa and is also found in parts of China and Japan.
It is an evergreen shrub that features thick, fleshy leaves and can grow up to four feet in height.
The spekboom (Portulacaria afra), on the other hand, is native to the Eastern Cape of South Africa and is a smaller succulent that grows to about two feet in height.
It has delicate, needle-like leaves and a more sprawling habit than the jade plant.
The jade plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and is considered to be a symbol of luck and prosperity.
In recent years, it has become popular as an indoor houseplant due to its low-maintenance requirements and ability to tolerate lower light conditions.
The spekboom, on the other hand, is a more recent addition to the houseplant world and is being praised for its air-purifying properties.
It is also becoming more widely available as a landscaping plant due to its hardiness and drought-tolerance.
Both the jade plant and spekboom are great additions to any home or garden, but it is important to understand the differences between the two before adding them to your space.
Knowing their origin and unique characteristics can help you decide which one is best for you.
What Are Their Care Requirements?
When it comes to caring for jade plants and spekbooms, it is important to note that both require special attention in order to thrive.
The jade plant has thick, fleshy leaves and should be planted in a well-drained, sunny spot with infrequent watering.
This means that the soil should not stay too soggy, as the roots can become waterlogged.
During the growing season, the soil should be watered approximately once a week.
Additionally, during the winter months, it is important to reduce watering to about once a month.
The jade plant can also be fertilized once a year with a balanced fertilizer.
The spekboom, on the other hand, has fine, needle-like leaves and prefers bright light and regular watering.
The soil should remain moist, but not soggy, so it is important to water the spekboom whenever the top few inches of soil become dry.
It is also important to fertilize the spekboom every two to four weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
During the winter months, it is best to reduce the amount of fertilizer applied.
Additionally, it is important to prune the spekboom regularly to keep it in shape.
Are There Similar Succulents?
When it comes to succulents, there are many similarities between the jade plant and the spekboom.
They both have thick, fleshy leaves and prefer bright light and well-drained soil.
However, the differences between the two are more pronounced.
The jade plant has thick, fleshy leaves and should be planted in a well-drained, sunny spot with infrequent watering.
The spekboom, on the other hand, has fine, needle-like leaves and prefers bright light and regular watering.
The jade plant is also known for its ability to grow into an attractive bonsai tree, while the spekboom is more of a sprawling shrub.
The jade plants thick, leathery leaves are also more drought-tolerant than the spekbooms fine, needle-like leaves, making them a better choice for areas with low rainfall.
When it comes to care, both succulents need plenty of sun and well-drained soil.
However, the jade plant is a bit more finicky when it comes to water.
It should only be watered when the soil is dry, while the spekboom should be watered more regularly.
Both plants should be fertilized on a regular basis, but the jade plant should be fertilized more sparingly than the spekboom.
Overall, the jade plant and the spekboom are both beautiful and interesting succulents that can bring a touch of greenery to any home.
While they share some similarities, their care requirements and appearances are different enough that they cant really be considered the same plant.
Knowing the differences between them can help you decide which one is right for your home.
How Can You Tell The Difference?
When it comes to telling the difference between a jade plant and a spekboom, there are a few key differences to look out for.
The jade plant, or Crassula ovata, is a succulent native to South Africa with thick, fleshy leaves.
It should be planted in a well-drained, sunny spot and requires infrequent watering.
On the other hand, the spekboom, or Portulacaria afra, is a succulent from the Eastern Cape of South Africa with fine, needle-like leaves.
It prefers bright light and requires regular watering.
Another way to tell the difference between the two plants is by looking at their respective growth habits.
The jade plant tends to grow in an upright, shrub-like shape that can reach up to three feet tall.
The spekboom, on the other hand, has a more sprawling, ground-hugging form and can grow up to six feet wide.
Finally, the colors of the two plants are another distinguishing factor.
The jade plant typically has bright green leaves, while the spekboom usually has silvery-green foliage.
When the spekboom is exposed to intense sunlight, its leaves may turn pink or purple.
By understanding the differences between a jade plant and a spekboom, it’s easy to tell the two plants apart.
The jade plant is a succulent native to South Africa with thick, fleshy leaves, while the spekboom is a succulent from the Eastern Cape of South Africa with fine, needle-like leaves.
The jade plant has an upright, shrub-like growth habit, and the spekboom has a more sprawling, ground-hugging form.
Finally, the jade plant typically has bright green leaves, while the spekboom usually has silvery-green foliage.
With these key differences in mind, you’ll be able to identify these two popular succulents with ease.
Final Thoughts
It’s clear that the jade plant and spekboom are two distinct succulents that are native to different parts of South Africa.
While they are both attractive plants, they have different looks and care requirements that should be taken into account when deciding which one to add to your home.
With their unique traits and low maintenance needs, either of these succulents could make a great addition to any home.
So next time you visit your local garden center, take a closer look and see if you can tell the difference between a jade plant and a spekboom.