Jade Plant
Crassula ovata
The Jade Plant is a classic succulent with thick, woody stems and fleshy emerald-green leaves. Often linked with good luck, it develops a tree-like shape as it ages and can live for decades with simple, consistent care.
Light
Full Sun
Water
Low
Difficulty
Easy
Humidity
Low
Pet Warning
Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion can cause vomiting, lethargy, and a lack of coordination (ataxia).
Full care guide
Jade Plant Care
Grow a fuller Jade Plant with bright light, a full dry-down between waterings, and a planter with drainage holes.
Read the guideCare Notes
Full guide →Light
Give your jade bright, direct light. A south or west window with at least 4 to 6 hours of sun keeps growth compact. Leggy, stretched stems usually mean it needs more light.
Water
Use soak-and-dry watering. Let the soil dry completely, then water thoroughly and let excess drain away. In winter dormancy, water much less often, often only every 1 to 2 months.
Soil
Use a cactus or succulent mix that drains fast. Standard potting soil holds too much moisture. Terracotta planters with drainage holes help the roots stay healthy.
Humidity and Temperature
Jade prefers low humidity and typical indoor warmth. Keep it away from cold drafts. Prune growing tips or branches with clean shears if you want a fuller, tree-like shape.
Common Issues
Mushy yellow leaves point to root rot from overwatering. White cottony spots in leaf joints are often mealybugs; dab with rubbing alcohol. Shriveled leaves usually mean the plant needs water.
In-Depth Care & Growth
Feeding & Soil
Fertilizer
Balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) or succulent-specific food
Soil
Well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix with perlite or pumice
Physical Attributes
Mature Size
3 to 6 feet tall indoors
Growth Rate
Slow
Propagation
Stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, or division
Common Varieties
Gollum
Finger-like tubular green leaves with concave, suction-cup tips that often flush red in bright sun.
Hobbit
Tube-like green leaves that curl backward and often develop red tips in bright light.
Hummel's Sunset
Fleshy oval leaves that shift from a bright green center to golden-yellow margins tipped with red.
Variegata
Fleshy oval green leaves streaked with creamy white or pale yellow, often with pink margins in bright sun.
Tricolor
Oval succulent leaves with green centers, creamy-white streaks, and pink margins.