The jade plant’s leaves are simple and oval, resembling teardrops or butterfly wings in shape. Because succulents store a lot of water in their leaves, it’s quite simple to figure out when to water them. It’s time to water when the leaves have shriveled or puckered. Jade plants are sluggish to develop, yet they live a long time. They can grow to be many feet tall and wide in a few years under favorable growth circumstances. The pride and joy of your houseplant collection is likely to be these varieties of jade plants.
Plant Overview
Indoor Size and Growth Habits: In the correct conditions, it can grow rather huge, but it is a slow-growing plant. Leaves have a teardrop form and a small size.
Potting Mix, Fertilizer, and pH: Fast-draining, slightly acidic soil is excellent. In the spring, he prefers water-soluble fertilizer.
Placement: Light, Size, and Décor
You should offer the jade plant as much bright, indirect light as possible. In addition to indirect sunlight, most plants can grow in some direct sunshine. A wonderful spot is directly in front of an east-facing window. This plant should thrive as long as it is not placed in low-light circumstances.
Jade plants come in a variety of sizes and hues, as well as varied foliage patterns and growth rates. Because even within the single species of crassula ovata, there are various different types of jade plants, or cultivars, that have been formed by selective breeding. Botany Bay, Harbour Lights, Crosby Red, Minima, Pink, and Bonsai Jade Tree are all popular jade cultivars.
Several jade plants put closely together can resemble a tiny forest. A huge jade in the right pot can be used as a focal point in a room or living space. At the same time, don’t overlook how adorable these plants are in their teeny-tiny sizes. Interior decorators who want to precisely adorn houses and offices would appreciate the unlimited alternatives.
It’s never a bad idea to plan ahead, but once you’ve found a nice position for this plant, it should be content for a long time. You might even get your jade to flower with small white or pink blossoms if you give it good care for a couple of years.
Care: Water, Potting, and Soil
Allow at least 1-2 weeks between waterings, with this gap increasing to a month or more throughout the winter. If you’re still not sure, wait until the leaves are withered and drooping. Saturate the soil with water from all sides of the pot until the water drains out of the bottom. Although this plant tolerates and even enjoys slightly cooler temperatures throughout the winter and at night, it is still a tropical plant by nature. The plant may begin to exhibit indications of discomfort in temperatures below 50 degrees outside or in particularly chilly, drafty windows where temperatures drop below 55 degrees.
Although this drought-resistant plant thrives on neglect, you shouldn’t ignore it completely, especially if you have dogs or small children. Jade plants are highly poisonous and can cause gastrointestinal upset and irregular heartbeat if consumed in large amounts. Make a point of looking for and picking up any fallen leaves as soon as possible.
This is a plant that requires a fast-draining potting soil specifically designed for succulents and cacti. This will assist to limit the possibility of rot, which is one of the most common issues with jade plants. The ideal soil pH is around 6.0, which is somewhat acidic.
Pests and Other Problems
Jade doesn’t have many insect problems, but when they do, it’s usually due to a mealybug infestation. Wet leaves are also unappealing to the plant. Clean the dust off the leaves with a clean, dry cloth, but excessive misting might result in powdery mildew. It’s typical for this plant to lose some leaves now and again, but if it’s occurring frequently, you might need to give it additional light or change its watering regimen. Root rot and overwatering are two problems that this succulent is prone to.
Cost and Availability
The jade plant is an excellent example of how the growth patterns of a houseplant affect its price. Small jades that have recently been propagated can be purchased for as cheap as $5 to $10. A medium-sized jade in a beautiful planter might cost anywhere from $25 to $75. This slow-growing shrub is also popular among bonsai enthusiasts. A large, intricately formed jade plant could set you back several hundred dollars.
Propagation and Repotting
The jade plant is also extremely simple to grow and can be done at many locations. The simplest solution is to simply pick up the fallen leaves and replant them in the same or a new pot. You can either take larger cuttings and wait for them to root, or you can remove a full section of roots and stems and use them to start a new jade plant. Young jades can be repotted in a larger pot after a few years. Plants that are 5-10 years old or older may need to be repotted every 5-10 years or more.
Similar Types of Houseplants
Another member of the crassula plant genus is the first place to look. The silver dollar jade or Chinese jade plant, Crassula arborescens, has a silver tint to its tightly packed foliage. Portulacaria Afra is a separate variety of succulent, but because of its small size and resemblance to crassula ovata, it is commonly referred to as the dwarf jade plant. Aside from the various sorts of jades, the ZZ plant has a similar appearance.
What is the common name for Crassula ovata?
Crassula ovata, also known as jade plant, is a common houseplant that is also known as friendship plant, money plant, or silver dollar plant. It was previously known as C. argentea, C. portulaca, and C. obliqua, and it is still sold under these older (and inaccurate) names. This species is one of about 300 in a large genus that belongs to the orpine family (Crassulaceae), with nearly half of them native to southern Africa. The term crassula means thick or fat in Latin, referring to the genus’s meaty character, and ovata means egg-shaped in Latin, referring to the shape of this species’ leaves. C. ovata is a common plant in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-valley Natal’s thicket ecology. C. arborescens, which has practically spherical blue-gray leaves with a characteristic waxy bloom and is found in the Little and Central Karoo, is extremely similar. It features pink flower heads that are small and rounded. The roots were grated and boiled and eaten with thick milk by the Khoi and other Africans. The leaves were also used for medical purposes.
The jade plant is a low-maintenance succulent with water-storing leaves, stems, and roots. It has been utilized as an interior decorative and a landscape plant in mild regions all over the world. It’s a good houseplant since it grows well in containers with little root area, is somewhat slow-growing, prefers warm, dry conditions, and tolerates neglect.
C. ovata develops into a tiny rounded evergreen shrub (to 6 feet) on dry, rocky hillsides in its native habitat. On a gnarled-looking trunk, it has many short, thick, succulent branches, implying vast age even in immature specimens. On aged plants, the bark peels in horizontal brownish strips from the trunk.
The smooth, rounded, glossy, egg-shaped leaves are 1 to 31/2 inches long and 3/4 to 11/2 inches wide, and they are borne in opposite pairs, each at right angles to the following pair. Rather than being evenly scattered along the branches, they tend to cluster near the ends. When grown in sufficient light, the green, succulent leaves should be edged or tinged with crimson. Like the leaves, new stems are green and succulent, but as they age, they become brown and woody. The lowest leaves will naturally fall off. If the leaves are burned by the sun, insecticides, or frost, the damaged leaves will die and fall off, but new leaves will emerge in their place.
How to get the feng shui right?
The major reason for having this plant at home is to bring good luck. You may have noticed potted jades at Chinese restaurant entrances. Jade plants, by the same rationale, should be placed as close to your home’s entrance as possible. Furthermore, the southeast is the ideal direction for this plant to grow. However, make sure it’s in the southeast corner of your living room; it won’t do you any good if it’s in your bedroom or bathroom.
How to choose a healthy jade plant for your home?
Only a robust and healthy plant can assist you in improving your financial situation. As a result, it’s critical to start with a plant that appears to be healthy.
- Tap the plant to see how strong the leaves are; if the leaves fall off easily, the plant is weak.
- Jade is a succulent that does not flourish in moist settings, so don’t buy elaborate terrariums of it.
Light
If feasible, give a jade plant 12 hours of sunlight. If you have a sun-drenched balcony or porch, use it to sunbathe. If not, place it near a window that receives the most light in your home.
Water
Jade requires extremely little water because it is a succulent. Watering your jade does not have to be done on a regular basis. When the soil is completely dry, you can water it. Before you water, check this with your fingertips. Also, simply irrigate the earth rather than spraying water on the jade leaves. If you moisten the leaves, they may fall off.
Soil
Jade plants require a soil that drains quickly and does not keep rainwater for long periods of time. Their roots decay if they are planted in soil with a high clay component. As a result, make sure your soil contains enough of sand and gravel. A watering hole must also be included beneath the pot to allow excess water to escape.
Nourishment
Jade is a plant that doesn’t require a lot of attention. It usually grows with the correct quantity of sunlight and water. As a result, you don’t have to worry about them. It may take a long time to grow as a houseplant. The rate of growth is also determined by the size of your pot. It will expand if given enough space to do so. Alternatively, you can promote growth using supplements such as Lazy Gardener’s Greenstix.
Pruning
Pruning jade plants is not necessary on a regular basis. If your plant is growing too quickly, you can prune it to keep it at a manageable size. In fact, the cuttings you create during trimming can be used to propagate new plants and fill all of the tabletops!
What not to do with the jade plant
#1: If you’re not sure, don’t water. The majority of jade plants die due to over watering rather than insufficient hydration.
#3: Jade plants require well-draining soil and should not be grown in closed potting systems such as terrariums.
#4: Don’t fuss with jade plants; they take their low-maintenance reputation extremely seriously!
Do Crassula ovata need shade?
One of the most widespread and well-known succulent plants is the jade plant. The Crassula family is a broad genus of succulent plants that includes jade plants. These plants are native to Mozambique and South Africa.
Their leaves are big, meaty, lustrous, and smooth, and they grow in opposite pairs. When exposed to direct or full sunshine, the leaves change color from dark jade green in the shade to crimson on the margins. With age, their branches become thicker.
Money tree, lucky plant, and friendship tree are just a few of its usual titles, but you can see why they’re so popular. The jade plant is regarded auspicious in various cultures and is widely found in storefronts, companies, and people’s homes. Plants like jade are forgiving and easy to care for.
For years, I’ve been growing jade plants, and they’re one of my favorites. They are resistant and sturdy, making them an excellent choice for a beginner or starter plant.
Are Jade Plants Indoor or Outdoor Plants?
Jade plants thrive both indoors and outdoors due to their easygoing temperament. My jade plants are grown outside, but then again, I keep all of my succulent plants outside.
Many individuals I know keep their jade plants indoors and they do just fine. The way you care for the plant is crucial.
Indoor Lighting Conditions
If the jade plant is maintained indoors, ensure sure it gets enough sunlight. The leaves of jade plants cultivated inside or in the shade preserve a rich, emerald, or dark green color. The way they grow will tell you if they aren’t getting enough sunshine.
When they don’t get enough sunlight, they will start stretching towards the sun and become long and leggy, a process known as etiolation. If kept indoors, place it in a light area. If the jade is not doing well and looks to be stretching, it should be moved to a brighter position or grow lights could be used to offer appropriate lighting.
In general, jade plants, like most succulent plants, require at least 5-6 hours of bright sunlight per day to thrive. If the leaves are kept near a window that gets a lot of direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon, they may get sunburned (brown blotches) until they get used to it. Increase the amount of intense sun it receives gradually to avoid this.
Outdoor Sunlight Conditions
Although jade plants prefer a lot of sunlight, direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon, can burn the plant’s leaves. When this happens, you’ll notice burnt marks (brown dots) on the leaves. To avoid this, relocate the plant to a position where it will receive plenty of bright early sun rather than afternoon solar.
Most succulents like morning sun because it is less powerful than afternoon sun. If you can’t move the plant and it gets full afternoon sun, provide some cover until it adjusts to the harsh light. This can be accomplished by planting it next to a taller plant or tree, or by placing a piece of furniture, such as a table or chair, close to the plant to give shade.
Because of the full sun, the leaves of this jade plant have taken a reddish colour, especially around the margins.
To avoid sun damage, gradually increase your sun exposure. It should be able to tolerate the high afternoon heat once acclimated to full sun. However, even an acclimated adult jade plant might get sunburned during a heatwave or when the weather is really hot throughout the summer.
When this happens, it is usually not harmful to the plant, and it recovers without difficulty. As fresh leaves sprout, the sunburned leaves will eventually fall off. The leaves of jade plants exposed to bright afternoon sun will acquire a reddish hue, especially at the edges.
Potting Medium
Fast-draining potting soil is ideal for jade plants. They dislike sitting in moist soil for long periods of time. The plant becomes subject to fungus, infections, and root rot if the soil is consistently damp.
Use a potting mix that drains effectively. Pumice or perlite can be added to the potting or cactus mix to supplement the potting mix. I normally use a professional cactus mix with an equal amount of perlite (1:1 ).
To improve drainage, add coarse sand, pumice, or perlite to your own cactus potting mix. For ingredients and suggestions on how to make your own succulent potting mix, please click on “Best Soil and Fertilizers for Succulents.”
Watering
The optimum potting mix goes hand in hand with proper watering practices. Jade plants do not like to sit in water or wet soil for lengthy periods of time, just as the soil must drain quickly. For the plant to thrive, it needs the correct potting mix and watering practices.
Water jade plants just when the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch as a rule of thumb. Between waterings, allow the soil to dry out. This is mostly determined by the climate and weather where you reside.
I live in a dry climate, and because my jade plants get a lot of hot afternoon light, I only water them once every 7-10 days throughout the summer, and more frequently during heat waves. During the cooler months, I only water once every 10-14 days or so.
If you reside in a humid and cooler area, you’ll need to water differently. Your jade plant would require less watering. When watering, I feel it’s best to err on the side of caution, especially if you’re a rookie.
Plants like jade are incredibly forgiving. They can go for a long period without water because they store water in their leaves and trunks, especially mature jade plants. I frequently forget to water my plants, and I notice that their leaves flatten, indicating that their water stores are running low.
They perk right up once I give them a good drink. They also seem to enjoy rainwater, which I’ve discovered. Rainwater makes them very happy, so I try to gather it whenever it rains, which isn’t very frequently around here.
Because the temperature and light are better controlled indoors, watering differs slightly from watering outdoors. However, the same guideline applies: water only until the top inch of soil feels dry. Because the sunshine is not as bright indoors, you may not need to water as much.
Fertilize
It’s important to remember that jade plants aren’t fussy. They are one of the most hardy succulent plants, in my opinion. Fertilizing is rarely necessary if the potting mix is new.
You’ll need to restore the nutrients that the plant would ordinarily acquire from fresh soil after it’s been sitting in the same potting mix for a number of years without being repotted. You can fertilize your houseplants with a basic balanced fertilizer or a specific fertilizer for succulents and cacti. Dilute the fertilizer to 1/4 or 1/2 strength as directed on the packaging.
Jade plants aren’t heavy feeders and don’t require a lot of food, so don’t overfeed them. Feeding is best done throughout the growing season, which is spring, summer, and fall. During the growing season, fertilizing once a month is a wonderful place to start. During the active growing season, you can fertilize as frequently as every watering, using a 1/4 or 1/2 strength fertilizer.
Fertilize less as the growth season draws to a close around mid-fall. Click on “Best Soil and Fertilizers for Succulents” to learn more about succulent fertilizers.
Getting Your Jade to Bloom
While getting your jade plant to bloom isn’t a priority, seeing cheerful blooms blooming from it is certainly a treat. Every year, I have a large jade plant that blooms. How to encourage them to blossom isn’t a precise science.
In general, if you maintain your plant healthy and happy by giving it the care and nutrition it needs, it will bloom naturally when the time comes. The plants must be kept in an environment that closely resembles their natural habitat in order to blossom. In the winter, this can be accomplished by keeping them cool and dry.
Reduce the amount of water you give the plant and only water when the soil is dry but not bone dry. During the winter, keep the temperature between 35 and 440 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5-70C). I leave mine outside all year, but the weather in my area is warm, and these plants can take a few minor frosts.
Other care articles specific for Jade Plants
Wrinkled Jade Plant Leaves Falling Jade Plants Yellowing Jade Plant Leaves Shriveling/Drooping Jade Plant Branches/Leaves Jade Plant Care, Propagation, and Types
How To Propagate Jade Plants:
Propagation is the process of making new plants from old ones, usually through leaf or stem cuttings, beheadings, or seed harvesting. One of the easiest plants to cultivate and propagate is jade.
Step 1: Cut a stem or a leaf from the plant. If you don’t take the entire leaf, including the base, the leaf will die.
Step 2-Leave the clippings to dry for at least a day or until the cut is totally healed. (Dip the cuttings in rooting hormone if desired.)
Step 3-Place the cuttings in a potting mix that drains well. Cactus soil mixed with perlite or pumice can be used (1:1). Some folks like to use coarse sand to help with drainage. Leave the leaf cuttings in the soil or lay them flat on the soil.
Step 4: Stay out of direct sunshine. Every few days or when the soil becomes dry, spray or water it.
Step 5-After around two weeks, you’ll notice roots begin to form. In around 6-8 weeks, the stem cuttings will be fully rooted. If the stems do not easily pull free from the earth when tugged, they have rooted.
Because you have to wait for a new plant to develop and grow larger, leaf cuttings take longer. From the time the leaves are propagated, the entire process can take anything from 8 weeks to a few months.
Step 6-Once the plants have established themselves, increase the amount of sunlight they receive. Once the plants are mature, reduce watering to once every ten days or so.
I’ve propagated jade plants using a variety of methods, including leaves, stem cuttings, and even water propagation. All of these worked for jade plants, however stem cuttings are my favorite way of propagation because it is the simplest and has the highest success rate.
In several blogs, I have a lot of useful information and ideas on how to propagate jade plants. To understand more about propagation, please click on the following links:
There are numerous varieties of Jade Plants. These are some of the most common and popular varieties:
The most common and popular type of jade plant. They are recognized for their thick, meaty, shiny, smooth leaves that grow in opposing pairs and are native to South Africa and Mozambique. When exposed to direct or full sunshine, the leaves change color from dark jade green in the shade to crimson on the margins.
The leaves of this type have a lovely golden yellow-green colour to them. The typical green jade plant requires similar care.
Crassula Arborescens is a South African plant that is also known as Silver Jade, Chinese Jade, and Money Plant. Their’silver dollar’ leaves, which are circular and silvery-green in hue with reddish edges, are distinctive.
In comparison to the other jade kinds, this one develops slowly and stays little. The care of this jade plant is identical to that of other jade plants. The leaves and branches of dwarf jade are smaller. Their leaves are yellow-green in hue and turn scarlet when exposed to direct sunlight, especially on the edges.
This is my dwarf jade plant, which I’ve had for years in this pot. When compared to the more common jade plant, it grows slowly. The leaves and branches are miniature replicas of the other plant, as you can see. Because of the complete light exposure, the leaves have become red, especially on the edges.
If you’re a fan of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ character Gollum,’ then the name of this jade plant will bring a grin to your face. The other common names for this plant (Hobbit, Ogre Ears) indicate that it has odd morphological characteristics. Gollum Jades feature finger-like tubular leaves with concave tips, unlike other jade plants that grow flat, heart-shaped leaves.
The tubular leaves are light to dark green in color, with a reddish tinge at the tips. Sun exposure and lower temperatures increase the scarlet tint on the tips.
Variegated Jade plants, commonly called as ‘Lemon & Lime,’ have striped leaves that are light green, pale yellow, and ivory in hue. When exposed to direct sunlight, Variegated Jade plants’ leaves can turn pinkish red at the tips, similar to many other jade kinds. These plants grow quickly and branch out as they mature. The flowers are white and star-shaped.
Despite their resemblance to jade plants, they are unrelated. This plant was included since it is frequently misidentified as a jade plant. In the past, I’ve made the same error.
They are endemic to South Africa and can grow up to 20 feet tall, serving as food for elephants in their natural habitat. They have glossy green leaves and develop from a small bush to a large tree-like structure. Growing and propagating these plants is a breeze. They’re also known as Dwarf Jade, and they’re a popular bonsai tree.
I made a separate piece about the Elephant Bush, Portulacaria Afra. This plant is discussed in further depth.
Are Jade Plants Lucky?
Jade plants are regarded fortunate in Feng Shui and are known as a ‘lucky plant’ in various cultures. The bright green leaves mimic the mineral jade, which has traditionally been associated with wealth and prosperity in Feng Shui. Healing, balance, and harmony are all connected with the mineral jade.
The heart-shaped leaves and deep green color of jade are highly prized in Feng Shui and are said to attract money and riches. Jade plants are also known as ‘friendship trees,’ and are frequently presented as housewarming gifts to friends and family. If you own one or more of these stunning pieces, consider yourself quite fortunate.
Are Jade Plants Toxic?
Cats and dogs are somewhat poisoned by jade plants. What component in jade plants causes toxicity is unknown. When eaten, symptoms include nausea, vomiting, depression, incoordination, and lethargy.
The ASPCA’s (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) website has a wealth of information and a complete list of dangerous and harmless plants for cats, dogs, and other household pets.
If you think you’ve been poisoned, call your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 right away.
Does a jade plant need sun?
If you’re going to cultivate jade plants as houseplants, choose the brightest area in the house. They can even withstand direct sunshine coming in through the window, which many houseplants cannot do without becoming sunburned. Jade plants will live if only a small amount of bright light is provided, but they will not thrive. Also, because jade plants, like most tropical plants, despise the cold, keep them away from drafty windows and doors.
Do you want to take your jade plant outside this summer? Move the container outside to a sheltered location after nighttime temperatures are at least 65 degrees F. Allow the plant to adjust to being outside for a few days before moving it to a location with more sunlight, as sunlight is stronger outside. Your jade plant should be placed where it will receive lots of early sun while also being shielded from the stronger afternoon rays. When nighttime temperatures begin to drop again in the fall, bring plants back inside.
Is Jade Plant expensive?
Jade plants come in approximately 1,400 different varieties. Although some types are extremely uncommon and expensive, the most are quite common. True jade is Crassula ovata, while Portulacaria afra, a similar-looking variation, is often referred to as “dwarf jade.” This cultivar grows as a small tree most of the time.
How do you save jade plants with root rot?
The remedy is straightforward: carefully remove the plant from its pot and remove as much soil as possible. Allow it to sit out in the open for a few days. The leaves and stems will begin to dry out. When that happens (it just takes a day or two), repot your jade in a clean pot with houseplant soil.
How long do Crassula ovata live?
Jade plants may live for 50 to 70 years with adequate care, and occasionally much longer. As a result, they’re frequently passed down through the generations.
Is Jade poisonous to humans?
Toxicity. The jade plant, like many other Crassulaceae species, is toxic to horses, dogs, and cats, as well as somewhat toxic to humans in some situations when skin contact is made. It differs significantly from Portulacaria, which is edible to humans and other animals, and may be harmful in this regard.
What is the lifespan of a jade plant?
Rich still has a philodendron that her grandmother brought over from England more than 50 years ago; jade plants can live for 70 to 100 years in the wild; and cactus, which can live for decades in the desert, can also thrive for decades in your living room if given the proper care.