How often should I water my jade plant?

Water only when the top inch of soil is completely dry.

Why are my leaves dropping?

This is usually a sign of either too much water or not enough light.

Plant guide

Jade plant.

Crassula ovata 'Gollum' L.

Pronounced KRASS-yoo-luh

Also known as Crassula ovata 'Gollum', Lizard's Tails, Pigmyweeds, Pygmyweed, Stonecrops, pygmyweeds

Crassula ovata — Photo by Christiaan Viljoen (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Crassula is a diverse genus of succulent plants known for their fleshy, water storing leaves. They are popular houseplants because they are quite resilient and add a structural look to any space. Most species thrive in sunny spots with well draining soil.

Another photo of Jade plant — Photo by Jacek Pietruszewski (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 21 days
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Watch for shriveled leaves which indicate the plant needs more water, while mushy stems suggest overwatering. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to keep the roots happy.

Watering: Water only when the soil is completely dry throughout the pot.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems in spring to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot only when the plant becomes root bound.
Soil: Well draining cactus or succulent mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 5 to 30°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many decades with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant becomes top heavy and tips over easily.
Water runs straight through the pot without soaking in.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered mildly toxic to humans if ingested in large quantities.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep out of reach of small children as the leaves are a choking hazard and may cause stomach upset if eaten.
Contact allergens: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from the sap.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant airborne allergen risks associated with this plant.
Edibility: While not highly toxic, ingestion can cause gastrointestinal distress and is not recommended.

How to identify it

Fleshy, succulent leaves
Opposite leaf arrangement
Sturdy, woody stems
Small star shaped flowers

Height: 0.15 to 1m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, red-tinted, evergreen
Flowers: white, pink, 0.5 to 1.5cm

Problems to watch for

Mealybugs · Small white cottony insects that cluster in leaf joints.
Root rot · Caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, leaf cuttings
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: Move indoors before the first frost. Keep in a bright spot and reduce watering significantly during the winter months.
In containers: They are excellent in containers, provided the pot has drainage holes and is filled with a fast draining succulent mix.

Stem Cuttings

1. Snip a healthy stem.
2. Let the cut end callous for two days.
3. Place in dry succulent soil.
4. Wait a week before watering.

Group succulents with similar water needs together to prevent accidental overwatering of the drought tolerant ones.

Grows well with

Echeveria · They share similar light and water requirements.
Aloe · Both plants thrive in the same well draining soil conditions.

Similar species

Sedum · These are also succulent plants that enjoy similar growing conditions.

Science

Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Crassula
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Primarily Southern Africa
Conservation: Most common species are not of conservation concern, though some rare wild varieties are protected.

They thrive in arid, rocky environments where they store water to survive long dry spells.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: houseplant, succulent garden, container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 2/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water my jade plant?: Water only when the top inch of soil is completely dry.
Why are my leaves dropping?: This is usually a sign of either too much water or not enough light.

Where the name comes from

The name Crassula refers to the thick, succulent leaves characteristic of the genus.

Good to know

Crassula species are masters of water storage in their thick, fleshy leaves.
They use Crassulacean Acid Metabolism to open their pores at night to save water.
The name comes from the Latin word crassus, meaning thick.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on November 7, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.