Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
Home » Jade Plant

Jade Plant

by Elyssa Goins
This article was fact checked.
Helpful: 100%

Ok, maybe the jade plant will not show you the money, although people in the past and some cultures today believe they do. I will leave that up to the individual’s beliefs.

Despite the possibility of not providing a person with extra cash, the Crassula ovata (or Crassula argentea) is a great house plant that I still have fond memories of while growing up in my family home. They were propagated left, right, and center….on every shelf.

Jade Plant Description

Basic info 

The Jade is grown indoors and borrows itself from the bonsai in the way it grows like a miniature tree, with a trunk and branches. It is also a succulent that will retain water well within the leaves, just like the cactus plant.

This succulent is a hardy fellow and has two main requirements for a healthy long life, which is water and plenty of light. They are both indoor and outdoor species, although conditions outside need to be right (enough heat and sun).

How it looks and displaying 

As mentioned above, the Jade has a similar look to a bonsai tree with a thick trunk and branches. The leaves are a thick oval-shaped type which is a shiny dark green and possibly red colored outer edges. They can produce white or pink flowers in the right conditions once they have matured. The most important aspect of displaying this shrub is plenty of sunlight…..close to a window.

Easy to grow

As you will see with the care instructions below, these are very easy to maintain. However, the more you see to it’s basic needs, the better and stronger it will grow.

planting jade

Flowering

Some growers have just been fortunate that theirs has bloomed, while others have had to make the conditions right. Many have never seen one bloom in years (like me).

The general advice is at the end of summer, bring the plant into a spot that will provide it with a few hours of daylight, stop giving it fertilizer, reduce watering and provide full darkness at night — then you may see them bloom in the winter. The plant will see this as a resting period.

Jade Plant Facts

Origin:South Africa.
Names:Jade, money, lucky, friendship (common). Crassula Ovata, C.portulacea, C.argentea (botanical/scientific).
Max Growth (approx):Height = 3ft or much less, as a bonsai.
Poisonous for pets:Toxic to cats and dogs.

Jade Plant Flowering

a jade plant flower

Jade Plant Care

Temperature:Room temperatures of around 60°f / 15.5°c — 75°f / 24°c are ideal. Winter no less than 50°f / 10°c.
Light:The jade plant flourishes in good health with plenty of light. If you provide a few hours of sunshine a day, you will have a happy plant.
Watering:It’s best to allow the soil to dry between each watering, depending on the time of year, how much humidity, and the amount of sunlight it’s getting. Allowing too much water to sit at the bottom of the pot with the roots will cause them to rot (avoid this).
Soil:A good draining soil mix that is gritty is advisable to use, which is sold and used for cacti and succulents.
Re-Potting:Re-pot (spring-summer) when the plant becomes root bound, or the soil needs renewing. A good solid and heavy pot is best to use because Jade plants are well known for being top-heavy. A heavy pot will prevent them from tipping over.
Fertilizer:Feed each week or two (maybe less) with a weak or diluted liquid fertilizer. A fertilizer made for succulents may be your best bet; that does not need to be a high-strength type.
Humidity:They naturally survive in quite humid conditions, although you will please them with water mist.
Propagation:Propagating is achieved with leaf or stem cuttings which are placed into a soil mix, then waited until they show some growth. Before placing them in the soil mix, you will prevent potential problems from the sap seeping out by allowing them to dry on a windowsill for a few days or so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Jade plants survive without water?

Despite this article’s emphasis on watering, your Jade plant can survive a long time without being watered. They recommend depriving your plant of water, but as all succulents are, the Jade is drought resistant and can revive after periods of neglect.

What soil should I use to help my Jade plant grow?

Any good draining soil should be fine, but if you find a gritty soil mix, perhaps one specific for succulents and cacti, you should use that.

Do I need to repot my Jade plant?

If you’ve noticed your Jade outgrowing its pot or think it could benefit from some fresh soil, a good time to repot would be between spring and summer. Jade plants can be top-heavy, so sturdy pots are recommended. 

What fertilizer should I use for my Jade plant?

If you want to maximize growth, you can use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once every six months. Make sure not to fertilize your Jade with dry soil – water the plant as you usually would before adding the fertilized water.

What temperature does my Jade need?

An average room temperature should be fine. Anywhere around the 60-75°F mark is ideal. If you’re unsure about what temperature your house sits at, just make sure to maximize the plant’s exposure to sunlight, which will naturally increase the temperature.

Conclusion

The Jade plant is a small, pretty, decorative plant that looks great as a centerpiece, on shelves, on top of dressers, or on windowsills. If you’re looking to spruce up any area, whether it’s a kitchen, bedroom, or even office space, the Jade plant is a great option. They’re unique, mirroring the miniature tree look that most bonsais have, and they’re super low maintenance, just as long as you provide them with the right amounts of water and sunlight!

The trick with the Jade plant is never letting its soil dry out. Although the leaves on a Jade plant mimic a succulent’s, they need way more water, so don’t just stick them in the succulent category and leave them to their own devices! 

Watering the Jade plant is meticulous work. You must find the plant’s sweet spot between over and under-watering. If the plant is overwatered, it will show signs of root rot, and the leaves may start to yellow or even drop. However, if the Jade is underwatered, it may cause leaf spots and dry out the roots. The Jade plant shouldn’t be on a watering schedule, rather, you should water it when the top of the soil is slightly dry to the touch. 

This plant loves the sunshine! It should grow well if you expose your Jade to a few hours of sun daily. Unlike many other plants that dislike direct sunlight, the Jade plant thrives on windowsills. If you notice your Jade becoming leggy and stunted, it could signify that your plant is reaching for sunlight. 

Apart from these two crucial requirements, your Jade plant should fend for itself.

If you are interested in planting house plants, you can check our articles, Poison Primrose, Zebra Howorthia, Jelly Beans, Mexican Fortune or Braided Money Tree, and Flaming Sword Bromeliad.

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

5 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Bhagyesh
11 months ago

Nice information

Diane
Diane
8 months ago

I bumped my jade plant stand and the plant fell off I put it right back in the soil. A lot of the bigger leaves have fallen off and it’s not as “ happy” looking as before is it in shock.

Elyssa Goins
Admin
Reply to  Diane
8 months ago

Diane, sounds like a rough landing. Let’s hope your plant recovers well after some time.

Glenda Bailey
Glenda Bailey
7 months ago

I have 3 Jades at least 30 years old. They are growing side ways, top heavy, one just fell over but it is fine. How can I get the trunk to grow straight. They have plenty of sun, 3 big skylights and 20 feet of south windows. They also have mealy bug which I constantly spray!

Copyright © 2013-2024 · Houseplantsexpert.com
Houseplantsexpert.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.*Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. Additionally, Houseplantsexpert.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links.

5
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x