How often should I water my jade plant?

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

Why are the leaves falling off?

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

Plant guide

Jade Plant.

Crassula ovata

Pronounced KRASS-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 that brings a touch of the desert to your home. It features thick, woody stems and fleshy, oval leaves that store water for long periods. With proper care, these plants can live for decades and grow into impressive miniature trees.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Succulent shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 1 to 3 meters
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. Provide plenty of bright light to keep the plant compact and encourage healthy growth. Watch for shriveled leaves, which indicate the plant needs a drink, or mushy stems, which signal overwatering.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out entirely before watering again.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back stems to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes top-heavy or root-bound.
Soil: Well-draining succulent or cactus mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 24°C
Humidity: 20 to 40%
Drought tolerance: high
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for 50 to 100 years.
Deer and rabbits: high

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
The plant becomes top-heavy and tips over easily.
Growth slows significantly even during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains compounds that can cause mild irritation if ingested.
Pets: The jade plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children as the leaves are a potential choking hazard and may cause stomach upset if eaten.
Contact allergens: The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: While often listed as non-toxic, ingestion can cause gastrointestinal distress in pets and humans.

How to identify it

Thick, woody, tree-like stems
Fleshy, glossy, oval-shaped leaves
Leaves often have red edges
Succulent habit with branching structure

Height: 0.3 to 3m
Spread: 0.3 to 1.5m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, pink, 1 to 2cm

Common problems

Mealybugs — These small white insects hide in leaf axils and suck plant sap.
Root rot — Overwatering causes the roots to decay and the plant to wilt.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, leaf cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Move the plant indoors before the first frost. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months when growth slows down.
In containers: Jade plants grow very well in pots, provided the container has drainage holes and is not too large for the root system.

Leaf or Stem Cuttings

Take a healthy leaf or stem cutting from the parent plant.
Allow the cut end to callous over for 2 to 3 days in a dry spot.
Insert the calloused end into a well-draining succulent potting mix.
Keep the soil lightly moist until roots develop.

Group succulents together to create a consistent watering schedule that prevents accidental overwatering of drought-loving plants.

Grows well with

Echeveria — They share similar light and water requirements.
Aloe Vera — Both plants thrive in bright light and infrequent watering.

Keep away from

Ferns — Ferns require high humidity and moisture that will rot a jade plant.

Similar species

Portulacaria afra — Often confused with jade, it has smaller leaves and a more trailing habit.

Science

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

It thrives in rocky, well-drained soils in arid environments where it survives by storing water in its leaves.

Uses: Houseplant, Bonsai subject, Succulent garden accent

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Light: 7/9
Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Temperature: 6/9
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 the leaves falling off?: This is usually a sign of either too much water or not enough light.

Where the name comes from

The name Crassula comes from the Latin word crassus, meaning thick, referring to the succulent leaves. Ovata refers to the egg-shaped leaves.

Good to know

Jade plants can live for several decades with proper care.
They are often called money trees because their leaves resemble coins.
These plants store water in their thick, fleshy leaves to survive dry spells.
They can develop a reddish tint on leaf edges when exposed to bright light.

Is your jade plant looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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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.