Jade Plant, A No Fuss Houseplant

Jade plant is a type of succulent in the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae). Succulents are easily identified by their thick, fleshy leaves and stems. They can store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, allowing them to tolerate dry conditions.  Native to South Africa and Mozambique, the jade plant grows naturally as an evergreen shrub, reaching heights of up to 6 feet and living up to 100 years. It is now found worldwide as an ornamental potted plant. They are hardy in USDA zones 11 to 12 and may be grown as a landscape plant, but in Pennsylvania, they will need to be grown as a houseplant.

Its name, Crassula, is from the Latin 'crassus,' meaning thick or fat, referring to the plant's fleshy nature, and ovata, meaning egg-shaped, referring to the shape of its leaves. Their shiny, fleshy, oval leaves are 1 to 3 inches long, ¾ to 1½ inches wide, and mid to dark green with red margins when they receive sufficient sunlight. Their stems are also thick and fleshy with distinct rings. New growth is green or reddish brown, but older growth becomes woody and has a more brownish-gray color. One unusual characteristic is that the entire length of the stem has a similar diameter rather than tapering toward its tip. When grown outdoors in the proper climate, they will have clusters of white, star-shaped flowers tinged with pink, but they typically will not flower indoors.

While you may choose any type of pot with a drainage hole, clay or terracotta pots are ideal. These are porous and allow the soil to dry out quicker than glazed or plastic ones. Well-drained soil is a must, as root rot may result if the soil does not drain quickly or the plant is overwatered. A cactus/succulent potting mix is ideal. Plants should be watered infrequently and only when the soil is completely dry. In extremely dry or wet conditions, the plant may experience leaf drop. They are happy to be root-bound but may be repotted every 2 to 3 years.

Jade plants prefer full to partial sun and will thrive in a south-facing window. They will grow and look their best when they get four or more hours of direct sunlight daily. Insufficient sunlight will cause their leaves to become light green, and they will not have attractive, red edges. If you do not have a south-facing window and find that your plant is not thriving, you may consider full-spectrum (which contains both red and blue light) artificial lighting. Keep your light source close to your plant. A light positioned too far away will cause your jade plant to stretch toward the light and become leggy. Reposition your light as your plant grows larger. Twelve hours of artificial light will meet the sunlight needs of your plant, but be sure to turn your light off after that time, as all plants need some hours of darkness to remain healthy. In Pennsylvania, plants may be moved outdoors for the summer but must be gradually acclimated to the higher-intensity outdoor sunlight to prevent sunburn. Since they are not frost-hardy, they must be returned indoors before the first frost.  

In small pots, they will tend to have a small root system and stay small, but with more space, they can grow into large shrubs. They are ideal for bonsai, but their branches may also be trimmed to help them remain small and shapely. Best done in the spring, pruning will keep them compact and encourage new growth. Using a clean, sharp blade, cut the stems back just above a ring or to a lateral branch. These cuts will heal over a few days, and new growth will sprout. Remove any broken or crossed branches and any damaged or yellowed leaves. Pinching the tips of the stems where there is new growth, ⅛ of an inch above a leaf pair, will also help your plant remain bushy and compact.

Fertilize plants using a balanced, liquid houseplant fertilizer. Apply fertilizer 2 to 3 times in the spring and summer to encourage growth, but do not over-fertilize, as that may cause your plant to become leggy. If you repot your plant, wait four months before applying fertilizer.

The jade plant has few pests, but mealybugs are the most common. These white, fluffy insects attach themselves at the juncture of the leaf and stem and can cause deformities in the new growth. Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently wipe the insects off the plant until all of the pests have been eliminated, which may take several days or weeks. You may also notice tiny white or black dots on their leaves. These are healthy, water-transferring pores called hydathodes and not a sign of disease.

While the straight species, Crassula ovata, is attractive, there are several cultivars with different appearances to choose from.

• Crassula ovata 'Baby Jade'  is a smaller cultivar that may reach up to 12 inches in height, but may be trimmed to maintain a smaller size. When exposed to direct sunlight, it has rounded leaves that turn red at the edges.
• Crassula ovata 'Hummel's Sunset' has leaves that turn golden yellow with red margins when grown in adequate sunlight.
• Crassula ovata 'Tricolor' has variegated leaves with green and white streaks and a pink margin when grown in adequate sunlight.
• Crassula ovata 'ET's Fingers' has tubular-shaped leaves that have round, suction cup-like tips that turn red when in adequate sunlight.
• Crassula ovata 'Obliqua' has oval-shaped leaves with pointed tips that can turn royal purple at the edges when exposed to direct sun.
• Crassula ovata 'Variegata' is a variegated jade plant with leaves that are green with white variegation.

You may also find silver jade plant, Crassula arborescens, another jade family plant. Their rounded, blue silvery-gray leaves have maroon edges and small maroon spots on the upper surface. Another subspecies is ripple jade, Crassula arborescens ssp. undulatifolia. The leaves of this plant are rippled or wavy in appearance and blue-green rather than silvery.