Blogging on Assignment: Trees of Life

 My Botanical Friend: The Jade Plant

The plant that I interact with most regularly is my jade plant, which sits on my desk in my room. Its botanical name is Crassula ovata, from the family Crassulaceae. The Latin word Crassula means “thick,” referring to the plant’s fleshy leaves, and ovata means “egg-shaped,” describing the rounded form of each glossy leaf. Commonly known as the jade plant or money plant, it’s native to South Africa and Mozambique, but it has adapted well to life indoors all around the world. Though it isn’t indigenous to Los Angeles, where I live, it seems perfectly at home basking in the California sunlight that streams through my window each afternoon.

Visually, my jade plant is striking yet simple. Its small, oval leaves are a rich, deep green with a waxy sheen that catches the light like polished stone. When I water it, the leaves feel calm and firm, almost rubbery, but not in a synthetic way. It doesn’t have a strong smell, but when the soil is freshly watered, I catch a faint earthy scent.

I first got this jade plant during a time when I wasn’t sure if I could keep any plant alive. I had tried before, but they all wilted within weeks because I would forget to water them or neglect them altogether. This one was different. Perhaps it was the sturdiness of the jade plants, or maybe I had simply learned to pay more attention, but slowly, they started thriving.

I value this plant not only because I’ve managed to keep it alive, but because it represents growth, both its own and mine. Each new leaf feels like a small accomplishment, a reflection of my ability to nurture and stay consistent. I plan to keep it for as long as possible. There’s something comforting about the idea of keeping it semi-permanently in my life, a living reminder that care and patience pay off.

In many ways, this jade plant has become a part of my identity. Like me, it thrives in sunlight and adapts well to change. It doesn’t need much to survive, just attention, warmth, and balance, and that’s how I like to live my life, too. When I look at it, I’m reminded that growth doesn’t always have to be fast or dramatic; sometimes it’s steady and quiet, happening one leaf at a time. My jade plant is more than just a decoration; it’s a little symbol of resilience sitting in the corner of my room.

Comments

  1. ZenNovember 21, 2025 at 2:56 PM

    Your post has a really warm, grounded feel, and the way you describe your jade plant makes it easy to understand why it means so much to you. I like how you tie its slow, steady growth to your own—it's a simple connection, but it lands in a meaningful way.

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