The jade plant, these small, sturdy succulents, require simple care, and a good reason is that it makes the Crassula ovata (its real name) a great houseplant for a beginner, the spider plant is another.
Native to South Africa, jade trees can grow to reach a height of 3′ to 4′ feet after many years.

However, because this succulent plant matures slowly, it makes an excellent house plant in a bonsai form for the home or office.
The jade tree goes by a few common names:
- Elephant Bush
- Elephant Plant
- Small Leaf Jade
- Baby Jade
Its fleshy 1″ to 2″ inches, almost round leaves range from pale grey to pale grey-blue-green to dark green. The jade plant stores water inside the fleshy trunk, branches, stems, and leaves.

The young bark remains green as it ages while its stems change from reddish brown to slate grey, with smooth but conspicuous leaf scars.
The reddish stems of the succulent and each pair of leaves appear at right angles to the next. Jade produces small pink flowers, star-shaped, purplish, and fragrant blooms.
Read: Jade Plant Leaves Turning Red
Jade Plant Quick Care Tips
- Botanical Name: Crassula ovata
Common Name(s): Jade Plant, Money Plant, Friendship Tree
Synonyms: Crassula argentea, Crassula portulacea
Family & Origin: Crassulaceae family, native to South Africa
Growability: Easy to grow
Grow Zone: 9-11
Size: Grows up to 3-4′ feet tall
Flowering: Small pink or white flowers in winter
Light: Bright, indirect light
Humidity: Low humidity
Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
Soil: Well-draining soil
Water: Allow soil to dry out completely between watering, avoid over-watering
Fertilizer: Fertilize every 3 months during growing season with a balanced fertilizer
Pests & Diseases: Mealybugs, spider mites, root rot
Propagation: Stem cuttings or leaf cuttings
Plant Uses: Indoor plant, bonsai, succulent garden, Feng Shui plant for wealth and prosperity.
How To Care For Jade Plants
There are many Jade plant varieties and combinations of white, pink, yellow, red, purple, and even a dwarf form. Most require the same type of care.
Where To Locate Your Crassula
One of the most important items to remember in jade plant care is lighting.
The plant needs bright light. Jade does grow outdoors in direct sunlight. During the hot summer, protect these indoor houseplants from the hot noon sun.
Indoors, jade will grow under sufficient light and under an artificial plant lamp of about 1,000-foot candles. Though a tropical plant can tolerate a wide variety of growing conditions, it needs protection from temperatures below 50 F.
Related: What Are Some Cold Hardy Indoor Plants?
How To Water Jade Plant
Jade can survive for long periods without water, making it an excellent houseplant for beginners. The soil should become almost dry before you water it. In fact, when watering the family of Crassula plants – wait! Allow the plant to dry out for several days before watering again.
Avoid over-watering as it can cause root rot. Providing well-drained soil will help this plant to avoid damaging the roots with too much water.
In the winter – water imuch less. Keep the plant on the dry side overall.
More Details on Watering Jade Plants
How To Prune A Jade Plant
This sturdy plant carries a unique distinction. The jade can be “styled.” It works as a great succulent plant, a money plant, and a bonsai plant. Prune and pinch Jade to keep the plant bushy. It develops very fast and adapts to many styles.
Styling Tips:
- The trunk and branches tend to droop from their own weight, making them suitable for long cascades.
- Use drastic cuts when styling this plant
- Let the soil dry before removing heavy branches or roots
- Water the plant sparingly until it recovers
- Remove the terminal bud from any branch you want to stop from growing longer.
- Refine the money tree by pinching out the buds and branches that are not growing where you want them.
- Baby Jade plants grow fast and need frequent pinching in the growing season.
Propagation
Root new jade plants from leaf cuttings or stem cuttings. Place leaves or stems in a well-drained soil or pot mix (see below) and keep on the dry side.

Fertilizer
Feeding every 3 months with a fertilizer formulated for cactus. Cactus fertilizer has less nitrogen than most houseplant fertilizers.
Related: Problems With Your Jade Succulent? Leaves Falling Off?
Repotting
When repotting red Jade plant spring is the best time. Plant in dried soil and do not overpot.
A recommended 1/3 soil mix:
- 1 – Part all-purpose loam
- 1 – Part peat moss
- 1 – Part sharp sand
Keep this succulent in a shaded location until new growth commences. Water, once new growth appears.
More on the question: Is The Popular Jade Plant Poisonous?
Succulent Jade problems do occur, but most homeowners experience few issues. The jade makes a great addition to an office desk for adding a little “life” to the workspace.
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