How often should I water my jade plant?

Water only when the top few centimeters of soil are completely dry.

Why are the leaves falling off?

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

Plant guide

Jade Plant.

Crassula ovata

Pronounced KRAS-yoo-luh oh-VAY-tuh

Also known as Jade plant, Japanese rubberplant, Japanese-laurel, baby jade, cauliflower-ears, dollarplant, jadeplant, jadetree

The jade plant is a classic succulent known for its thick, woody stems and fleshy, oval leaves. It's a long lived houseplant that can grow into a small, tree like shrub over many years. With the right care, it's a sturdy companion that adds a touch of green to any sunny spot.

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

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent
Light: Bright, direct sunlight is best for compact growth.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 14 to 28 days
Mature size: Up to 1.5 meters tall indoors.
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late autumn to winter

Care

Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. Watch for shriveled leaves, which indicate the plant needs a drink, or yellowing leaves, which often mean it's getting too much water. Ensure the pot has drainage holes so excess moisture can escape.

Watering: Wait until the soil is bone dry before watering deeply.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced succulent fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems in spring to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes top heavy or 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, typically 30 to 50 years or more.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage hole.
Water running straight through the pot.
Plant becoming top heavy and unstable.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten and may cause gastrointestinal distress.
Pets: The jade plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children to prevent accidental ingestion of the leaves.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: The jade plant is considered toxic if ingested and should not be consumed by humans or pets.

How to identify it

Thick, woody, trunk like stems
Fleshy, smooth, oval shaped leaves
Leaves often have red edges
Small, star shaped white flowers

Height: 0.6 to 2.5m
Spread: 0.3 to 1.2m
Leaves: green, red-edged, evergreen
Flowers: white, pink, 0.5 to 1.5cm

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
EdemaUncommon
Leaf DropUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Move indoors before the first frost. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months as the plant enters a period of slower growth.
In containers: It is an excellent container plant that prefers a snug pot to prevent excess soil moisture.

Stem cuttings

1. Cut a healthy stem section.
2. Let the cut end callous for a few days.
3. Insert the calloused end into dry succulent soil.
4. Wait a week before lightly watering.

Group succulents together to simplify watering schedules and ensure consistent light exposure.

Grows well with

Aloe — They share similar water and light requirements.
Echeveria — These succulents thrive in the same well draining soil conditions.

Similar species

Portulacaria afra — Often confused with jade due to similar appearance but has smaller leaves.

Science

Family: Crassulaceae
Genus: Crassula
Order: Saxifragales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: South Africa and Mozambique.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native habitat.

It grows in rocky, well drained soils where it survives long dry periods by storing water in its tissues.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: houseplant, xeriscaping, bonsai subject

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

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

Where the name comes from

The name Crassula comes from the Latin word for thick, referring to the succulent leaves, while ovata describes the egg shaped foliage.

Good to know

Jade plants can live for several decades with proper care.
They are succulent plants that store water in their thick, fleshy leaves.
The leaves can turn a reddish hue when exposed to bright, direct sunlight.
They are very easy to propagate from a single leaf or stem cutting.

Also in

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