How to identify Jade plant (Crassula ovata)

How to identify Jade plant (Crassula ovata)

Jade plant, also known as Lucky plant, Money tree

Jade plant is distinguished by its oval, succulent leaves that are glossy and rich green, typically measuring 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in length. The leaves are smooth, entire, and often exhibit a waxy sheen. The stems of jade plant are noticeably thick and may present a tree-like branching pattern. They possess distinctive stipular scars which are marks left by fallen leaves. Scattered across the leaf surface, tiny sunken pores, or stomata, are visible, a characteristic feature of many succulents allowing for gas exchange while minimizing water loss.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Succulent, Shrub

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Jade plant

Oval, succulent leaves with waxy sheen, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) long, smooth and glossy.

Thick, tree-like stems with stipular scars, branching pattern, and sunken pore clusters.

Light pink star-shaped flowers in dense clusters, sweet fragrance, 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) wide.

Diminutive oval fruit capsules, pale color, dry and papery texture, minuscule seeds.

Robust trunk reaching up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter, woody bark with stipular scars.

Detailed Traits of Jade plant

Leaf Features

Jade plant has thick, fleshy, and shiny leaves, oval in shape, measuring about 1 to 3 inches (3-9 cm) in length and 0.7 to 1.6 inches (1.8-4 cm) in width. They are dark green to grey-green with smooth, reddish margins, especially in direct sunlight. The leaves are nearly stemless and cluster at the branch ends. The surface features scattered sunken stomata, and the texture is often leathery, providing a distinctive succulent appearance.

Leaf Margin

Entire

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Flower Features

Jade plant flowers are light pink and star-shaped, arranged in dense, round clusters. The petals, 4-5 in number and fused at the base, give the flowers their distinctive shape. These blooms originate from pink sepal-covered buds and emit a sweet fragrance. They are typically organized in a 2-3 branched cyme and showcase purple anthers. Blooming primarily in winter, jade plant flowers can reach up to 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) in diameter.

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Stem Features

The stem of jade plant is branched, fleshy, and thick with distinct rings around it. New growth appears green or reddish-brown, while older growth transitions to a gray color. The stem maintains a consistent diameter along its length and is thick and smooth in texture. It is robust, supporting the plant’s structure and contributing to its overall succulent appearance.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of jade plant is a diminutive capsule that becomes apparent after successful pollination. These capsules reveal an oval shape and house an abundance of minuscule, almost imperceptible seeds. Upon reaching maturity, the capsule may exhibit a pale to earthy coloration, blending with the overall foliage. Its texture is consistent with that of typical succulent fruit, being somewhat dry and papery to the touch. Each capsule is compact, only a few millimeters in diameter, and houses seeds that are even smaller, rendering them a challenge to collect without magnification.

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Jade plant and Their Similar Plants

Gollum jade vs. Jade plant: What's The Difference?

Gollum jade has oddly-shaped leaves, the tops of which recess downward and resemble the ears of DreamWorks' Shrek. As a result, many florists refer to the plant as Shrek's Ears. Its stems are branched and easily lignified, and interestingly, the edges of the "ears" turn red with abundant light and large temperature differences between day and night.

String of buttons vs. Jade plant: What's The Difference?

String of buttons (Crassula perforata) is a shrub-like sprawling succulent native to South Africa. It is also called Baby's Necklace, Necklace Vine, Stacked Crassula, and the Pagoda Plant.

Watch chain vs. Jade plant: What's The Difference?

COMMONNAME_ (LATINNAME_) is a succulent houseplant species native to South Africa and the country of Namibia in Africa. _COMMONNAME is also called the zipper plant and the lizard's tail. This species is popular as a houseplant because it can withstand low temperatures and long periods of time without watering.

Miniature pine tree vs. Jade plant: What's The Difference?

Miniature pine tree is a succulent that is attractive for having dense-growing leaves that look similar to a needle or sword which resembles the appearance of a small pine tree. It grows clusters of tiny white flowers at the tips of its branches. It can be grown as a container plant or in a rock garden.

Variegated jade plant vs. Jade plant: What's The Difference?

Variegated jade plant is an outstanding container plant. This popular succulent makes a great choice for rock gardens, but it makes for a wonderful houseplant as well. It is mildly poisonous to cats and dogs, so make sure it's in a place where they won't get nibbled on.

Variegated String of Buttons vs. Jade plant: What's The Difference?

The variegated String of Buttons is a variegated succulent, with its white variegations on the two flanks of its leaves. The leaves are deltoid, growing opposite each other and sparsely arranged. When the plant fully displays its vibrant colors, its leaf margins and front tips turn pink, the variegations turns yellow, and the middle of the leaf remains green.

Fairy crassula vs. Jade plant: What's The Difference?

Fairy crassula (Crassula multicava) is a plant species native to the mountainous region of Natal, South Africa. Fairy crassula blooms in spring. This species is often cultivated for ornamental purposes in pots and planters.

Silver dollar plant vs. Jade plant: What's The Difference?

Silver dollar plant (Crassula arborescens) is a 61 to 122 cm succulent shrub species. Silver dollar plant has round gray "Silver Dollar" leaves. This species blooms in winter and produces white and pink flowers.

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Key Facts About Jade plant

Attributes of Jade plant

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Succulent, Shrub

Plant Height

91 cm to 1.8 m

Spread

8 cm to 15 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Red

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

White

Pink

Stem Color

Green

Brown

Gray

Silver

Red

White

Pink

Burgundy

Leaf type

Evergreen

The Toxicity of Jade plant

Toxic to Dogs

Toxic to Cats

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Scientific Classification of Jade plant

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Saxifrages, stonecrops and allies

Family

Stonecrop

Genus

Crassula

Species

Jade plant (Crassula ovata)

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Distribution Map of Jade plant

Jade plant is native to southern Africa, where it can be found growing on dry, rocky hillsides. This plant is grown worldwide as a houseplant and is used in landscaping in mild regions. It has escaped cultivation in California and become a weed in some regions there.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Jade plant How to Grow and Care for Jade plant