Jade plant care
Crassula ovata
Also called Money tree, Lucky plant and Friendship tree. Family Crassulaceae.
In short
Jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a slow, woody, very long-lived succulent from South Africa and Mozambique that stores water in its thick leaves and trunk. Give it as much direct sun as you can, at least four hours, and water every 2 to 3 weeks in summer only when the soil is dry throughout, once a month or less in winter. Keep it at 13 to 27°C (55 to 81°F), with a cool winter rest around 10 to 13°C (50 to 55°F) if you want flowers. It is toxic to cats and dogs.
Updated
Jade plant at a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Every 2 to 3 weeksLess often in winter
- Temperature
- 13 to 27°C55 to 81°F
- Humidity
- Prefers dry air
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs
How often should you water a jade plant?
Every 2 to 3 weeks in summer, only when the soil is dry throughout, and once a month or less in winter.
Bright sunny window, warm room, gritty free-draining compost: every 2 to 3 weeks in summer, and only when the soil is dry throughout. Water thoroughly, then leave it alone. In winter it may want water only once a month or less. Soft, wrinkled leaves mean it is thirsty; soft, yellowing, dropping leaves mean it is drowning.
How much light does a jade plant need?
As much direct sun as you can give it, at least four hours a day.
As much direct sun as you can give it: at least four hours. In poor light it stretches, the stems weaken, and the leaves lose their red edging.
How to feed a jade plant
A half-strength feed two or three times across spring and summer.
A half-strength feed two or three times across spring and summer. It needs very little.
When to repot a jade plant
Every 3 to 4 years into cactus compost, in a heavy pot with a drainage hole.
Every 3 to 4 years. It is happier snug, and a heavy pot stops a top-heavy plant toppling. Cactus compost, and always a drainage hole.
How to prune a jade plant
Prune in spring to shape it; it takes well to being trained like a small tree.
Prune in spring to shape it. It takes well to being trained like a small tree. Fallen leaves root where they land.
What temperature and humidity does a jade plant like?
13 to 27°C (55 to 81°F), with a cool, dry winter rest around 10 to 13°C (50 to 55°F) to trigger flowering.
13 to 27°C (55 to 81°F). A cool, dry rest in winter, around 10 to 13°C (50 to 55°F), is what triggers flowering. Humidity: Prefers dry air.
Is a jade plant toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes, it is toxic to cats and dogs, causing vomiting, lethargy and incoordination.
Causes vomiting, lethargy, and incoordination in cats and dogs. The toxic compound is not well identified, but the effect is well documented.
How big does a jade plant get?
A metre or more over decades, with a thick trunk and a rounded canopy of glossy leaves.
Slow, woody, and very long-lived: jade plants are routinely passed down through families. Forms a thick trunk and a rounded canopy of glossy oval leaves, reaching a metre or more over decades. Mature plants may flower in winter if kept cool and dry.
Where does the jade plant come from?
KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape of South Africa, and Mozambique.
Dry, rocky scrub in full sun with sharp drainage and long rainless spells. Water is stored in the thick leaves and the swelling trunk.
What's wrong with my jade plant?
| What you see | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Soft, wrinkled leaves | Thirst | Water thoroughly, then leave it alone until the soil is dry throughout. |
| Soft, yellowing leaves that drop | Too much water | Stop watering until the soil is dry throughout, and make sure it is in gritty compost in a pot with a drainage hole. |
| Stretched, weak stems and leaves without red edging | Too little light | Give it at least four hours of direct sun a day, and prune the stretched growth in spring. |
| A top-heavy plant that topples | A heavy canopy in a light pot | Repot into a heavy pot, and prune in spring to balance the shape. |
Questions about the jade plant
How do I get my jade plant to flower?
Mature plants may flower in winter if kept cool and dry. A winter rest around 10 to 13°C (50 to 55°F) with little water is what triggers it.
How do I propagate a jade plant?
From leaves: fallen leaves root where they land, so a healthy leaf laid on gritty compost will usually take.
Why is my jade plant leggy?
Poor light. It stretches, the stems weaken and the leaves lose their red edging; move it to your sunniest window and prune it back into shape in spring.
Is a jade plant a money tree?
Money tree is one of its common names, along with lucky plant and friendship tree. The name is also given to other plants.
Christi Miltz, CC0
Jacqui Geux, CC BY 4.0
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