Jade Plant

Corresponding Blog for Podcast Episode #108

Talk about a CLASSIC succulent that has been a staple in every beginner plant lover's collection and a tried-and-true reliable plant for the hardcore plant lover! Low maintenance, easy to propagate, always looks great, who couldn't love it?!

Botanical Name: Crassula ovata

Commonly known as Jade Plant, Friendship Tree, Lucky Plant, Money Plant

• They were formerly classified as C. argentea, C. portulaca, and C. obliqua, so they might still be sold under those names. However, you are most likely to encounter it referred to as the Jade Plant.

Crassula ovata Hybrids:

• Variegata

• Hobbit

• Gollum

• Hummel's Sunset

• Lemon Lime

• Red Coral

• Tricolor

• Botany Bay

• AND MORE!

The main Jade Plant has rounded, thick, rubbery, paddle-like leaves and sturdy rubber stems that eventually harden and resemble tree trunks.

The primary Jade Plant will continue to grow as long as you provide it with enough space. Indoors, it typically reaches up to 5 feet in height and 3 feet in width, but in the wild, it can grow as tall as 13 feet. However, it grows very slowly, so achieving a substantial height will take a considerable amount of time.

Sun Requirements:

To thrive indoors, this plant requires maximum light exposure. In direct sunlight, it will avoid becoming leggy, develop stronger stems, grow more rapidly, and may even bloom. While bright indirect light is also beneficial, direct sunlight is ideal!

If you intend to move your Jade Plant outdoors, direct sun might initially scorch the plant, but over time, the new leaves will adapt.

If you need any guidance to understanding light, or are in need of a grow light to help increase your light, check out the links!

Water Requirement

Jade Plants are succulents so they store water in their leaves and stems. Because of this, this, it only requires low moisture needing water when the soil is almost dried out.

In my experience, if you wait too long to water, the leaves will start to wrinkle. If the leaves are wrinkled, it isn't too late to water but don't leave it too long! If you wait way too long, the leaves will turn brown, harden, and fall off.

Extra humidity is not necessary for the Jade Plant so no need to place near your humidifier or consistently mist!

Fertilizer

Since this is a succulent, it is standard to use a little less fertilizer or a lower concentration.

• According to Houseplant: Practical Advice for All Houseplants, Cacti, and Succulents: "Apply a general-purpose granular fertilizer at half the recommended dose in late spring"

I currently use Fox Farm's Grow Big Liquid Fertilizer and for succulents and cacti, I fertilize less often than my foliage houseplants. Normally I would fertilize about every 2 weeks, but I do it every 4 weeks or so. Either way, I am fertilizing from February through October. In winter, I would fertilize my foliage houseplants once or twice but succulents and cacti, I do not.

There are MANY ways to fertilize and it is completely up to you! If you need more information, check out Fertilizer Explained!

Propagation

Jade Plants can be propagated with a leaf cutting or stem cutting like most succulents! After cutting your leaf or stem, allow them to dry out for a few days before placing in soil to help prevent rotting. Place your cuttings in bright or bright indirect light and keep the soil at medium moisture to help

After a several months, you should have a larger root system to be treated as a brand be Jade Plant! But remember, these are slow growing so patience will be needed!

Other Facts

• All part of the Crassulaceae Family - AKA Stonecrop family

• They are native to southern Africa

• Jade Plants are known to have small, white star shaped flowers that show up in winter if they are provided ideal conditions. Indoors, you may not experience them but if you move your Jade outdoors in more intense light and heat, you may see the blooms form in winter. (Picture of the flowers are above!)

• If you want to protect your Jade from getting to leggy, they benefit from pruning occasionally to keep the plant more compact. You may not have to do this for a couple years since they are slow growing.

• Common issues are rot and mealy bugs. Make sure not to over water and check your plant often for pests.

• Since these plants like to be dry in between waterings, I would recommend potting in a well draining soil which could include simply contain increased sand or perlite.

• Jade Plants tend to be very top heavy so using a sturdy pot like terra cotta or ceramic to preferable.

• According to The Language of Houseplants, "In the Asian practice of Feng Shui, the Jade Plant is traditionally placed in the south eastern corner of a room or home, where it can help increase wealth. In Western folklore, placing a plant near a front door encourages abundance, luck and good fortune..."

• These are poisonous to pets so be careful if you have a pet that likes to nibble on your plants! If you are interested in learning about more pet friendly plants, check out Podcast Ep#31 for more info or the corresponding blog post!

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Always written with extreme plant passion!

Love, Holly (Owner & Creator of Houseplant Homebody LLC)