Looking for a houseplant that combines elegance, resilience, and ease of care? The jade plant ('Crassula ovata'), often simply called "crassula," is the ideal choice. This popular succulent is a spectacular option for adding a touch of classic, vibrant greenery to your decor. Discover why this plant is a must-have and how to care for it to ensure it flourishes!
A Unique, Sturdy Small Tree Appearance
The jade plant is a remarkable succulent that stores water in its stems and leaves, giving it that distinctive fleshy appearance. Over time, its main stem thickens and turns brown, naturally developing a small tree form. Its spoon-shaped, dark green, glossy leaves can even develop attractive reddish edges if the plant enjoys a few hours of direct sunlight in the summer. Although its growth is slow, a mature specimen can reach up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) in height, becoming a spectacular focal point!
Did you know? The jade plant is a blooming plant! Only well-established, mature specimens flower. In late winter, they adorn themselves with lovely clusters of small, star-shaped white or pink flowers. To learn how to make it happen, check out our Pro Tip below!
Pro Tip: How to Make Your Crassula Bloom
To trigger flowering, your jade plant needs a cool, dry resting period to mimic its natural environment. You must force it during the fall and early winter:
- Cool Nights: Expose the plant to cooler nighttime temperatures (between 10 °C and 15 °C / 50°F and 60°F) for six weeks.
- Water Stress: Drastically reduce watering during this period. The soil should remain almost completely dry.
- Maximum Light: Ensure that, even during its rest, it receives the best possible bright light.
Discover the Most Popular Crassula Varieties
The classic Crassula ovata is beautiful, but there are fascinating varieties that offer a unique look. Find the one that perfectly matches your style:
- 'Gollum' or 'Hobbit': These varieties are highly sought after for their tubular leaves, rolled inward, resembling trumpets or fingers. They add surprising texture to your collection.
- 'Tricolor' or 'Variegata': Ideal for colour! These plants feature variegated leaves with green, creamy white, and soft pink edges. They require slightly more bright light to maintain their vibrant colouring.
- 'Minor' (Mini Jade): A dwarf version perfect for small spaces, terrariums, or creating a mini-forest effect.
- 'Hummel's Sunset': Its leaves take on magnificent hues of golden yellow and reddish-orange when the plant is exposed to bright light, resembling a sunset.
Jade Plant Care: Simple Maintenance for Maximum Impact
Light: Aim for a Bright Location
For sturdy, dense growth, give your jade plant intense light, ideally with a few hours of direct sun per day. It will tolerate medium light, but its stems may become leggier and require staking. Maximum light is the key to a perfect structure.
Which rooms are ideal? South or West-facing windows are perfect. The jade plant will be happy in a very bright office or living room. Absolutely avoid the bathroom (too little light for most bathrooms) and dark bedrooms.
Watering: Let the Soil Dry Out and Hydrate Deeply
Like any good succulent, the jade plant stores its water. It is crucial to let the soil dry out at least completely before watering again, especially during the winter. This plant can even tolerate several weeks without watering, making it a champion for busy people. The main enemy is overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
For optimal watering:
- Always use room temperature or lukewarm water to avoid shocking the roots.
- Water thoroughly from the top until water drains out through the drainage holes. This ensures that all roots are properly hydrated.
- Always empty the saucer after about 15 minutes to ensure the roots are not sitting in stagnant water.
During the winter (dormancy period), reduce watering by half.
Fertilization: A Spring Boost
Apply an all-purpose fertilizer or a specific cactus and succulent fertilizer at half the recommended dose only in spring and summer. No need to overdo it: a minimal amount is enough to encourage beautiful growth during its active period.
Temperature and Humidity: An Ideal Indoor Climate
Your jade plant adapts perfectly to the temperatures in our homes (minimum 7 °C/45 °F). It will even appreciate spending the summer outdoors in a sunny spot on your patio or balcony for accelerated growth. Regarding humidity, it is very tolerant and requires no special attention.
Warning: Avoid misting the foliage! The fleshy leaves do not appreciate prolonged moisture, and this can encourage fungal diseases or unsightly spots.
Repotting and Propagation: Grow Your Collection!
Repotting: Do this approximately every 2 years in a light soil mix for cacti and succulents. For large specimens, plan for a heavy pot or a ceramic container to prevent them from tipping over, as the plant becomes top-heavy over time.
Propagation: It is extremely easy to propagate the jade plant, either by stem cutting or by using a single leaf. The safest and most effective method for this succulent is soil rooting (not water).
Steps for Successful Cuttings:
- Cut and Let Dry (Callous): Cut a stem or gently detach a leaf. Leave the cutting to dry in the open air (on a paper towel) for three to seven days. This is crucial! This time allows the cut end to callous over and form a protective seal, which prevents rot once planted.
- Planting: Plant the cutting (stem or leaf) in slightly moist cactus and succulent soil mix.
- Waiting and Watering: Do not water immediately. Wait about one week for stem cuttings, or wait until you see tiny roots appearing for leaf cuttings, before watering lightly.
A great way to share this "good luck" plant!
Use and Symbolism: More Than Just a Decorative Plant
The jade plant is not only a beautiful decorative plant; it also holds cultural significance and practical uses in interior design:
- The Good Luck Plant: In Chinese culture, the Crassula is nicknamed the "money tree." It is believed to attract prosperity, wealth, and good fortune, especially when placed near the entrance of a home or in the wealth area (Southeast) according to Feng Shui principles.
- Easy Bonsai Art: Thanks to its stem that becomes woody and its branches that can be pruned, the jade plant easily takes on the look of a bonsai when grown in a shallow pot and shaped through pruning. Dive into this art for a stimulating gardening project!
- A Texture Accent: With its miniature tree appearance, it serves as a focal point in a succulent arrangement or a minimalist decor, bringing volume and height.
Important Warning
Safety: Be cautious! The sap of the jade plant is considered slightly toxic if ingested, for both humans and pets (dogs and cats). Make sure to place it out of reach of small children and four-legged companions.
