Jade Plant

(Crassula ovata)

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Crassula ovata, commonly known as Jade Plant, is an evergreen succulent native to arid and semi-arid regions of southeastern Mozambique and southeastern South Africa. It thrives in rocky outcrops and dry, open areas where it has adapted to survive with minimal water. The Jade Plant grows as an upright, rounded, thick-stemmed, strongly branched shrub, reaching stature heights of up to 2.5 meters. The base is usually sparsely branched, sometimes forming a single main trunk up to 6 centimeters in diameter. Its succulent shoots are gray-green, and the bark of older branches peels off in horizontal, brownish stripes. The leaves are thick, shiny, smooth, and a rich jade green, with some varieties exhibiting a red tinge on the edges under high sunlight. Stems remain succulent throughout the plant’s life, even as they age and take on a woody appearance. Mature plants produce sweet-scented small white or pink, star-like flowers in winter, adding to their ornamental appeal.

The Jade Plant is valued for its ease of maintenance and ability to thrive in indoor conditions with minimal water. It is often used as a houseplant or in succulent gardens, rock gardens, and in xeriscaping. It requires a porous substrate with good drainage and prefers about 4–6 hours of direct sun or medium shade exposures with bright light. While it can tolerate light frost if the soil is dry, it is susceptible to overwatering, which can lead to leaf fall and root rot. In cultivation, it generally does best in part shade, with very low or low amounts of water, and in soils with fast drainage. Gardeners should be cautious as Crassula ovata can become invasive in some regions outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Succulent
  • Height: 3-6 feet
  • Width: 2-3 feet
  • Growth Rate: Moderate
  • Flower Color: Pink, White
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Winter
  • Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Part Shade
  • Water: Very Low, Low
  • Drainage: Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fire Resistant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Arid and semi-arid regions of southeastern Mozambique and southeastern South Africa

Other Names

Common Names: Lucky Plant, Money Plant, Money Tree, Kerky-Bush, Japanese Rubberplant, Baby Jade, Cauliflower-Ears, Jadeplant, Jadetree, Japanese-Laurel

Scientific Names: , Crassula ovata, Crassula argentea, Crassula obliqua, Crassula portulacea, Crassula nitida, Crassula articulata, Crassula lucens, Toelkenia ovata,

GBIF Accepted Name: Crassula ovata (Mill.) Druce