Crassula ovata

Common Names

Jade Plant, Money Plant, Money Tree, Lucky Plant, Friendship Plant, Friendship Tree, Dollar Plant, Jade Tree, Tree of Happiness, Penny Plant

Summary

Jade plant is an evergreen succulent shrub native to South Africa and Mozambique, often growing as a small tree with a gnarled trunk and thick, woody stems, reaching up to 3–6 ft tall, leaves are thick, fleshy, glossy dark green, oval to obovate, often with red edges in bright sun, arranged in opposite pairs, older stems may have bark that peels in horizontal strips, it bears small white or pink star-shaped flowers in winter, though indoors flowering is rare, in cultivation this plant prefers bright light with 4–6 hours of direct sun and tolerates full sun to bright indirect light, growing in well-draining succulent or cactus mix, water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry completely between waterings to avoid root rot, it can be kept as an indoor ornamental or grown outdoors in warm climates, and is commonly used as a bonsai or landscape plant in mild zones, propagation is easy from stem cuttings or leaves, pests such as mealybugs may occur, it is not frost-hardy and benefits from repotting every 2–3 years when rootbound

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-6 feet

Spread

2-3 ft

Hardiness Zones

Zones 9a-12b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining soil, such as a cactus/succulent potting mix or sandy/loamy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soil.

Soil pH

5.5–7 (neutral to slightly acidic)

Bloom Color

White to pink

Bloom Time

Winter

Foliage Color

Green, often with red edges in bright light.

Fall Foliage Color

No fall foliage color; evergreen (leaves green year-round)

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow growth indoors, faster outdoors, about 2 inches per year.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, butterflies, other pollinators