If you’re looking for a tough houseplant with loads of personality, add a jade plant to your collection. They’re just as easy to care for as low-maintenance favorites, such as a snake plant or pothos. With smooth oval leaves and a thick stem that resembles a trunk, jade plants look like cute, little trees. Some varieties even have leaves edged in gold, red, or purple. Plus, these succulents can live for decades! All you need are a few jade plant care tips to keep them thriving.
Jade plants, known by the botanical name Crassula ovata, are native to South Africa, where the evergreen shrub can reach 5 or 6 feet tall. But indoors, they’re slow growers, so the size you purchase is what you’ll have for years. Luckily, jade plants don’t mind being root-bound, so you won’t need to repot frequently and, as succulents, jade plants also store water in their fleshy leaves, stems, and roots, so they’re great if you’re a bit forgetful about watering.
All in all, they make for perfect housewarming gifts or indoor plants for adding a pop of color to your home. Here’s what else you need to know about how to care for a jade plant.
How do you care for a jade plant?
Jade plants don’t need a lot of fussing, but what they absolutely must have is bright, indirect light. They can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness zones 10 and 11 (find your zone here), but most jade plants are grown indoors. Aim for at least six hours per day in a sunny east, west, or south-facing window and turn the plant periodically to ensure even growth. If you don’t have enough natural light, use an LED grow light because jade plants that get insufficient light will look scraggly with drooping stems. And they'll also lose their colorful leaf edges.
How do you water a jade plant?
These succulents do store water, so you typically only need to water every two weeks or so. But don’t let them get too dry, which will cause leaf drop. Also, make sure your pot has drainage holes so that excess water can flow out. If the plant is too wet, the leaves and stems will become mushy. To tell if your plant needs to be watered, push your finger into the soil. If soil clings, it’s still damp and you should wait a few more days, then check again. If you like, use a liquid fertilizer to feed your plant every few months.
Should you prune a jade plant?
You can repot or trim your jade plant if it begins to get top-heavy or seems like it’s going to tip over. There’s no special technique: Just use sharp pruning shears to even it up all around to shape it more to your liking and encourage denser branching. Or you can cut off a few leaves here and there, which will lighten the load on heavy branches. You also can remove whole branches, if they’re drooping.
While you’re at it, don’t waste the cuttings. If they’re healthy, you can propagate a new jade plant. Take pieces of the plant or leaves and let them sit so that they dry out for a week or so. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone, and push the piece into potting soil, and water sparingly until the plant roots in a month or two.
Do jade plants flower?
It’s rare for indoor jade plants to bloom, but mature plants may produce small white or pink star-shaped flowers with a sweet scent. They bloom in response to long nights, so you can try to encourage blooms by keeping it on the dry side and putting in a cool, dark place for several weeks starting in the fall.
Are jade plants toxic to pets?
Unfortunately, according to the ASPCA, all types of jade plants are toxic to dogs and cats, causing vomiting, GI distress, and lethargy, if ingested. If you know you have a nibbler, keep this plant away from pets. And if you think your fur baby has eaten any, even if you’re not sure, call your vet immediately. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
