Jade Plant
Crassula ovata · also called money plant, lucky plant, friendship tree
The jade plant is a long-lived succulent with thick, glossy leaves and a tree-like trunk. It thrives in bright light with infrequent watering.
Crassula ovata is a classic succulent with plump, oval, glossy leaves and a thick woody trunk that gives mature plants the look of a miniature tree. Native to the arid regions of southern Africa, it stores water in its fleshy leaves and stems, allowing it to endure long dry spells with ease.
Slow-growing but extremely long-lived, a jade plant can become a treasured specimen passed down for decades. It is often regarded as a symbol of good luck and prosperity, which fuels its nickname the money plant. Easy to care for as long as it gets enough light and is not overwatered, it is a rewarding choice for beginners and collectors alike.
How to care for Jade Plant
Light
Jade plants need bright light with at least a few hours of direct sun daily, such as a south or west window. Insufficient light causes leggy, stretched growth with widely spaced leaves. Strong light keeps the plant compact and can blush the leaf edges an attractive red.
Watering
Water thoroughly only when the soil has dried out completely, about every 2 to 3 weeks and less in winter. Then let all the excess drain away. As a succulent, jade is far more tolerant of drought than of soggy soil, so always wait until it is bone dry.
Humidity
Jade plants prefer dry air and thrive in the low humidity typical of most homes. There is no need to mist or raise humidity. Damp, humid conditions increase the risk of rot and fungal spots.
Temperature
Keep it between 60 and 80F during the day and ideally above 50F at night. It is not frost-hardy and should be protected from cold below 50F. A cooler winter rest can encourage blooming.
Soil & potting mix
Use a fast-draining cactus and succulent mix, or amend potting soil with plenty of perlite, pumice, or coarse sand. Sharp drainage protects the roots and trunk from rot. A terracotta pot helps wick away excess moisture.
Feeding
Feed sparingly, every 4 to 6 weeks during spring and summer, with a diluted balanced or succulent fertilizer. Jade is a slow grower with modest nutrient needs. Stop feeding in fall and winter.
Pruning & grooming
Prune in spring to shape the plant and encourage a sturdy, tree-like form by trimming back leggy stems just above a leaf pair. Pinching new growth promotes branching. Save the trimmings to propagate.
Repotting
Repot every 2 to 3 years or when the plant becomes top-heavy or root-bound. Move up one pot size in spring and use a heavy pot to balance the weight. Let the plant settle a few days before watering.
Propagation
Propagation is very easy from leaf or stem cuttings. Let the cut end callus for a few days, then set it on or in dry succulent mix and water lightly once roots form. Even a single fallen leaf will often sprout a new plant.
Common Jade Plant problems
- Dropping or shriveling leaves. Leaves that shrivel and drop usually signal a watering problem: wrinkled, soft leaves mean underwatering, while mushy, yellowing leaves that drop mean overwatering. Check the soil and roots to tell which, then correct the watering rhythm.
- Leggy, stretched growth. Stems that elongate with widely spaced leaves indicate too little light. Move the jade to a brighter spot with some direct sun and prune the stretched growth to restore a compact shape.
- Soft black or mushy stems. A soft, blackening base or stem means rot from overwatering or poor drainage. Cut above the rot, let the cutting callus, and replant in dry, gritty mix, discarding the rotted portion.
Jade Plant FAQ
How often should I water a jade plant?
Water a jade plant only when its soil is completely dry, which is usually about every 2 to 3 weeks during spring and summer and even less in winter. Soak the soil thoroughly when you water, then let all the excess drain away. Because jade stores water in its leaves, the biggest risk is overwatering, so always wait until the soil is bone dry.
Why is my jade plant dropping leaves?
Leaf drop on a jade plant usually comes down to watering. Soft, mushy, yellowing leaves that fall off point to overwatering and possible rot, while wrinkled, shriveled leaves indicate the plant is too dry. Check the soil moisture and the roots, then adjust your schedule; sudden cold or a big move can also trigger temporary leaf drop.
How do I propagate a jade plant?
Jade plants root easily from both leaf and stem cuttings. Twist off a healthy leaf or snip a stem segment, let the cut end dry and callus for a few days, then lay it on or insert it into dry succulent mix. Water only lightly until roots and new growth appear, which can take a few weeks.