Crassula portulacea Lam. is an older botanical name for the plant now correctly called Crassula ovata (Mill.) Druce, the jade plant. Under current Kew taxonomy the name is a synonym and no longer in valid use for the accepted species.
Part of the Complete Crassula Guide.
The same plant under a different name
If a plant label, older gardening book, or online listing calls a plant Crassula portulacea, it means Crassula ovata. The two names have referred to the same southern-African shrubby succulent since Lamarck's 1786 description was reconciled with Miller's earlier 1768 publication of C. ovata. The older Miller name takes priority under the International Code of Nomenclature, and C. portulacea has been treated as a synonym in serious references for decades.
You will still see the name in the horticultural trade, particularly on stock propagated from older commercial lines and on labels in supermarkets. The plant in the pot is the jade plant regardless of which of the two names is printed on the tag.
What to grow
Care is identical to any jade plant: bright light, free-draining mineral substrate, water when the top 3–4 cm of soil dries out, minimum 5 °C. For the full cultivation profile, propagation methods, and notes on shaping the trunk into a bonsai form, see the dedicated page.
Go to Crassula ovata for the full species profile.
See also
Frequently Asked Questions
What light does this Crassula need?
Bright light is the default. Compact species and red-flushing cultivars need several hours of direct sun after gradual acclimation.
How should it be watered?
Water thoroughly, then allow the upper 3–4 cm of substrate to dry before watering again. In cool winter conditions, reduce watering sharply.
What substrate works best?
Use a free-draining mix with substantial pumice, grit, or perlite. Dense peat-heavy compost keeps the root zone wet too long.
How is it propagated?
Stem cuttings are the most reliable method for most Crassula. Leaf cuttings work on jade-type plants but are less useful for tight stacked miniatures.