Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Monday - June 22, 2009
From: denver, CO
Region: Rocky Mountain
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Non-native, care for Jade plant.
Answered by: Joe Marcus
QUESTION:
I've had a jade plant for 5 years and it has done well, even though it was in a plastic pot with regular soil. I need to repot it and it was recommended I use a clay pot and a soil made for succulents that is more porous. Should I increase the frequency or amount of water I give it, since it will dry out faster now? ThanksANSWER:
The focus of research and the extent of expertise of the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center are limited to plants native to North America. Your Jade plant, Crassula sp. is a tropical plant native to South Africa and is really outside of our purview.
You can do a Google search using the plant’s name and look for care information, or you can submit your request for information to the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden forums website: http://www.ubcbotanicalgarden.org/forums/. On their forum, tropical plant enthusiasts from around the world monitor and answer questions like yours about houseplant issues.
More Non-Natives Questions
Non-native tropicals for Syracuse, NY
August 10, 2009 - I live in upstate New York but am a fanatic about tropical plants, palms and banana trees. They're obviously all in pots that I take indoors, and I lose them from time to time. (Had a coconut palm th...
view the full question and answer
Plants for hanging baskets in Austin
October 06, 2009 - Can you suggest some plants for winter hanging baskets in the Austin, TX area?
view the full question and answer
Digging wild buttercup from roadside in Mechanicsville MD
May 28, 2012 - Mr. Smarty Plants, is it illegal to dig out wild buttercup in Maryland? I see them along the dirt road or just in the ditch. Since buttercup considered weed, I'm wondering what the law say about this...
view the full question and answer
Plant Care for Plumeria
October 15, 2005 - I have a plumeria that is getting too tall for my small patio. How I should cut it back and can start the cuttings into new plants? Does the original plant need any special care when it is cut back?
view the full question and answer
Growing a non-native lemon tree in Central Illinois
August 03, 2009 - How to grow a lemon tree in Central Illinois? Which one would be the best to grow?
view the full question and answer
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |