Jade plant - Crassula ovata (Care, Characteristics, Symbolism, Images)

Jade plant

Also known as: Lucky plant, Money tree

Looking like a miniature fairy tale tree, jade plant is one of the world's most popular succulents. Native to southern regions of Africa, Crassula ovata is well adapted to the dry warm air of modern homes. It grows slowly but lives for so long that plants get passed from generation to generation. It is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, and even mildly toxic to humans.

Scientific classification

Species

Jade plant (Crassula ovata)

Saxifrages, stonecrops and allies

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Toxic to Pets

Toxicity

Perennial

Lifespan

Succulent, Shrub

Plant Type

Spring, Mid winter, Late winter

Bloom Time

91 cm to 1.8 m

Plant Height

8 cm to 15 cm

Spread

Green, Red

Leaf Color

2.5 cm

Flower Size

White, Pink

Flower Color

Green, Brown, Gray, Silver, Red, White, Pink, Burgundy

Stem Color

Summer dormancy

Dormancy

Evergreen

Leaf type

20 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Moderate

Growth Rate

Images of Jade plant

Distribution of Jade plant

Distribution Map

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

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Shrubs in open forests, rocky slopes, hills, fields, sheltered ravines

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Culture

Environmental Protection Value

It can purify air, absorb harmful gases.

Garden Use

Jade plant is a succulent, drought-tolerant plant perfect for rock gardens. The plump, glossy leaves compliment its fragrant pink flowers when it blooms around winter time. Jade plant is a great addition to a desert landscape with other succulents, or perfect in a container by itself where it can thrive under slight root-bound conditions.

Symbolism

Good fortune, wealth, friendship, harmony within the family

Interesting Facts

It is a challenge to get the jade plant to bloom, and so it is said that it takes great fortune to see it blossom. Because it is believed to be an auspicious plant, it is very popular as a decorative indoor potted plant.

Name Story

Jade plant: As a succulent plant, its fleshy leaves are flat-oval shaped and about the size of a thumb. It looks especially like jadeite. The edge of its leaves are laced with an attractive pale red, resembling the aging of the green jadeite, and it grows thicker each year. Hence, its unique characteristics give birth to the name, Jade Plant.

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Cultivars

There are several recognized cultivars of Jade plant, including the following common varieties :

Curly jade plant Jade plant 'Hobbit'Variegated jade plant Variegated jade plant Gollum jade Jade plant 'Hummel's Sunset'

Toxicity

Jade plant is extremely toxic to cats, causing vomiting, loss of muscle function, and decreased heart rates. Dogs face gastric distress, drooling, and heartbeat irregularities from ingesting jade plant, but severe complications are rare. Contact with skin may cause irritation. Always seek veterinarian help if your pets are affected.

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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.

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Care Guide for Jade plant

Every 3 weeks

Water

Partial sun

Sunlight

20 - 38 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Succulent & Cactus Soil

Soil Type

Water: Jade plant is a drought-tolerant succulent, requiring minimal watering—about once every three weeks. Ideal for low-humidity environments, it thrives in dry conditions. Its glossy leaves signify a preference for dry periods, preventing root rot from excessive moisture.

Fertilize: For jade plant, apply a balanced succulents and cacti fertilizer every 2-3 months during the growing season (spring to fall) to promote growth and flowering. Stop feeding in winter. Over-fertilization can cause root burn; always water jade plant before and after fertilizing.

Pruning: To maintain the shape of jade plant, prune redundant or dense branches in spring and autumn using a knife, scissors, and sulfur powder. For propagation, cut stems with 5-6 leaves, apply sulfur to the wound, and plant once healed. Keep the cutting soil slightly moist.

Propagation: Jade plant propagates best through cuttings, using a healthy stem with multiple leaf pairs. Dry cut edges for a few days and use well-draining soil. Firmly position in soil with minimal watering until roots establish, promoting strong growth.

Repotting: Repot jade plant in early spring every 2 years, using a slightly larger pot for root expansion. Water sparingly post-repotting to avoid root rot and place it in bright, indirect light for optimal recovery and growth.

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