Photo: Patrícia MeesCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Trailing Jade Plant Care
Peperomia rotundifolia (L.) Kunth
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Peperomia rotundifolia, characterized by its trailing stems adorned with round, succulent leaves, hails from South America. Plant collectors are drawn to its unique appearance and easy-care nature, making it a sought-after addition to any indoor plant collection.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to low light
65–75°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Trailing Jade?
Water Trailing Jade every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to low light. It prefers temperatures of 65–75°F (18–24°C) and 50–80% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season. The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Where Is the Trailing Jade Native To?
What Is the Trailing Jade?
Trailing Jade (Peperomia rotundifolia) belongs to the Piperaceae family within the Peperomia genus. Trailing Jade is native to the tropical rainforest of South America. Trailing Jade is also known as Green Tears, Baby Rubber Plant.
Trailing Jade displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Trailing Jade produces tiny, insignificant spikes.
How Often Should You Water a Trailing Jade?
Peperomia rotundifolia requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Trailing Jade Need?
Trailing Jade thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Trailing Jade in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to low light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Trailing Jade Prefer?
Peperomia rotundifolia grows best at temperatures of 65–75°F. Trailing Jade prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–75°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Trailing Jade?
Well-draining peat-based mix with perlite. Good drainage is essential for Trailing Jade to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Trailing Jade?
Feed Trailing Jade every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Trailing Jade?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Trailing Jade?
Trailing Jade can be propagated through leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to watermelon peperomia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Trailing Jade Toxic to Pets and Children?
Non-toxic to cats and dogs
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center plant list. View the ASPCA entry
Non-toxic to humans and pets
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Trailing Jade?
Trailing Jade is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, aphids. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Trailing Jade Need?
Trailing Jade grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Trailing Jade is native to the tropical rainforest of South America. In cooler regions, grow Trailing Jade as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Trailing Jade is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Peperomia genus — compare its care with other Peperomia species on PlantoScan.
Peperomia is part of the Piperaceae plant family — browse all Piperaceae genera and species.
Trailing Jade copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Peperomia Species
Other Peperomia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Peperomia rotundifolia (L.) Kunth, family Piperaceae (first published in Nov. Gen. Sp. 1: 65 (1816)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record, Wikidata.
- Pet toxicity: The ASPCA lists Trailing Jade as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Source: ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List.
- Photo: Patrícia Mees, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Trailing Jade Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species