Jade plant is a subtropical, broadleaf evergreen, flowering, succulent shrub in the stonecrop family. It is a native of South Africa and a popular, low maintenance, houseplant worldwide. The species name "ovata" means egg-shaped referring to the thick, fleshy leaves. As it matures, the plant takes the form of a miniature tree. Tiny pink flowers appear in the spring on plants grown outdoors.The genus name comes from the Latin crassus meaning thick, referring to the thick leaves. The species name means egg-shaped. Plant in well-drained potting soil that contains a lot of loam and place the pot in a sunny location indoors that also provides some afternoon shade. Bright light and average to cool indoor temperatures are also essential for good plant health. Water in moderation when the soil is dry and reduce watering from fall to late winter. It does not usually bloom in home environments. If grown outdoors, it should be located in a site with partial shade. Propagation is easily achieved by leaf cutting. Clemson University Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on Jade Plants. Quick ID Hints : Leaves are oval, succulent, and entire Stems are branched and thick with prominent stipular scars Leaves have scattered sunken stomata Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, scale, spider mites and mealybugs can be occasional problems. Leaf fall and root rot can result from over watering.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry | Very Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed; Spreading
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cuneate; Obovate; Obtuse; Orbicular
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Fleshy; Glossy
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The 1 to 3½ inch long and ¾ to 1½ inch wide oval leaves are thick, fleshy, and shiny. They are mid to dark green, stemless and the margins will acquire a red tint in direct sun. The leaves have scattered sunken stomata and tend to be clustered at the ends of the branches. This plant has succulent, flattened, obovate leaves on thick, brittle, succulent stems. Leaves are simple and nearly sessile.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
This plant rarely blooms as a houseplant but can form a 2-3 branched cyme with white flowers tinged with pink. They have 4-5 petals that are fused at the base and purple anthers. This plant has abundant terminal clusters of small white flowers following the development of pink sepal covered flower buds.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Insignificant
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Pollinated flowers produce a small capsule filled with seed.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
The bark is woody, peeling with distinct rings called stipular scars.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Branched, fleshy, and thick with distinct rings around the stem. New growth is green or reddish-brown while older growth has a more grey color. Stays a similar diameter the entire length of the stem.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
South Africa
Distribution
Sometimes grown outdoors in California or the Iberian peninsula.
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Design feature
Specimen
Garden tags
#houseplant #interiorscape #drought tolerant #evergreen #fantz #succulent #pink flowers #problem for dogs #problem for horses #problem for cats #tropical feel #broadleaf evergreen #shrub #container plant #perennial #branching #th-touch
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Mealybugs
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses