Jade Plant Plant Care

Jade Plant (Crassula obovata) belongs to the Crassulaceae family within the Crassula genus. Jade Plant is native to KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa and Mozambique. Jade Plant is also known as Silver Dollar Plant, Chinese Jade, Crassula ovata.

Jade Plant displays a slow-growing, compact growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Jade Plant produces small star-shaped flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Jade Plant every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Jade Plant thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Jade Plant in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Crassula obovata tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Jade Plant prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining soil mix. Good drainage is essential for Jade Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Jade Plant every month during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining soil mix. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Jade Plant is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Jade Plant can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Jade Plant while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Jade Plant is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Jade Plant can be propagated through stem and leaf cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to silver dollar plant plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Jade Plant is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects. 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.

Jade Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Jade Plant is native to KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa and Mozambique. In cooler regions, grow Jade Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.