Been given class plant for Christmas holiday

[ISaySteadyOn]

As in DS brought home a plant from school and told his teacher that 'My mum will take care of it because she is good with plants'

This is sweet, but I have never taken care of a plant like this one. I think it is a succulent but I am not sure. Can anyone tell me what it is?

Money plant?
https://www.ourhouseplants.com/plants/jade-plant

Thanks

It should be fine. They go dormant over the winter and you're not supposed to water much so I'm not sure I'd water it at all if he's bringing it back in 2 weeks' time. Just find it a nice spot on a south-facing windowsill (or somewhere else reasonably light and warm).

make sure there's a replacement in a local garden centre just in case you murder it (you won't)

Yea definitely a Money Tree. Ours thrives in a Southwest facing window. Like others have said, don't overwater or feed.

You often see those plants in Chinese takeaways. Very easy to grow. They survive irregular watering- will sprout new growth from the stem if the leaves drop. Ours has a drink about once a fortnight. Feel the soil at the surface and water when dry. Feed two or three times a year with plant food. They grow quite large in a surprisingly small pot. Transfer to a clay pot when it becomes top heavy for added stability.

Mine, in cool conditions, doesn't get watered between September and April. Don’t water it unless a) the soil is dry a few cm down and b) the leaves are becoming wrinkled as they lose water. Note this is specific advice for returning a live class plant, not general advice for long term care.

Thanks everyone. It's still alive as far as I can tell 🙂

How soon before you can give it back?

That could easily have just been left in the classroom for a couple of weeks.

True!

Actually, I will be sad to give it back. I quite like it so I may go out and get one for myself. But yes, it probably would have been fine in the classroom.

I am still feeling a tiny bit proud that DS said I was good at taking care of plants.

You could remove one leaf, lay it on some barely damp compost and see is you can persuade it to root.

Don't water it much. I think they are good in classrooms because busy teachers probably forget to water it and it doesn't die.