The Jade plant is characterized by its oval-shaped, fleshy leaves and woody, thick stem. The succulent plant variety can grow around 3 to 6 feet in height.
What is Jade Plant?
The Jade plantorCrassula ovata in Latin, traces its origin from South Africa and has been homed in houses in America and Europe since yesteryears. The plant signifies good luck and is planted to attract wealth. The plant is also symbolic of renewal and growth, believed to give off the positive energy chi.
| Botanical Name | Crassula ovata |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Jade plant |
| Family | Jade |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Plant Size & Spread | 3 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide |
| Bloom Time | Spring but does not bloom indoors |
| Flower colour | White |
| Toxicity | Toxic to dogs and cats |
Jade Plant Varieties
There are various types of Jade plants. Here are some of the varieties.
1. Crassula ovata
A common variety of Jade plant species with flat and wide leaves, it grows to be a large shrub with a thick trunk.
2. ‘Gollum’ Jade plant
Known as baby toes or E.T fingers, the variety flaunts narrow, long, and rounded leaves that look cool.
3. Dwarf Jades
The dwarf variety is smaller than the regular plant though these look exactly like the mature plants
4. Jitters’ Jade
This is not a common Jade plant variety and is characterized by its wavy and thin leaves with a light green color.
5. Crassula arborescens
Also known as the silver dollar Jade, the plant variety has silver or grey leaves with a red tip.
Things to Consider about Jade Plant
Growing Conditions for Jade plant
- When to Plant Jade plant?
Late spring to summer is the best time to plant the Jade plant. The plant should be kept in a place where it gets the direct morning sunlight or faces the evening sun. However, it should not be exposed to the intense sun in the afternoon.
Ideally, the plant survives in 65°F-90°F with less than 50% relative humidity. Jade plants should be watered when the soil turns dry.
- How Long Does Jade plant Take to Grow?
The Jade plant grows extremely slowly and it takes a few years for it to resemble a small tree. It grows only about 5 to 20 cm in a year.
- Preparation
Buy a sturdy and wide pot with moderate depth to grow the Jade plant. The plant grows heavy at the top because of which it falls over.
Use soil that can drain well. Excess moisture in the soil promotes various fungal diseases causing the root to rot. The best is to get an all-purpose potting mix with a little perlite added to it so that it improves drainage. Mix the potting mix and the perlite in a ratio of 2:1.
Jade Plant Benefits
Here are some of the benefits of growing Jade plants in your indoor garden.
- They improve the quality of indoor air.
- The plant increases humidity indoors.
- It absorbs carbon dioxide at night letting you breathe fresh air.
- The plant adds to the aesthetic beauty of your room, especially when decorated as a small indoor hanging garden.
- Jade plants are known to bring wealth.
- The leaf extract is used to treat stomach pain, burns, diabetes, and warts.
- The plant is believed to bring in positive vibrations at home.
Are Jade Plants Toxic?
Jade plants are pretty to look at but they are dangerous if you have pets at home. All parts of the Jade plant are toxic and if ingested in large amounts by your dog or cat then this can lead to death.
Rush your pet to the hospital if you notice symptoms of poisoning like:
- Loss of muscle function
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Lethargy
- Incoordination
- Excess sleeping
- Depression
- Increase in aggression
How to Grow Jade Plant?
Once the pot and the soil are prepared you can go ahead and plant the Jade plant.
Do not water the plant as soon as you plant it. Wait for a few days to a week to let the roots settle down giving it time to recover from any damage. You can then water the plant.
Jade plants grow in dry and warm conditions. Water the plants well in the spring and summer months as it is the growing season. Keep it dry during the fall and the winter months when the plant is dormant. Even in the growing season make sure to let the soil dry well before you water it as the root is susceptible to rot.
Jade plants grow outdoors too in places that experience dry and mild climates year-round. This is usually a zone 10 or a warmer zone. The plant is susceptible to damage because of cold so if the temperature goes down below 50°F then the plant should be kept in containers and taken inside when the temperature falls.
Jade Plant Care Guide
Sunlight
Jade plants are fond of sunlight. The young ones especially should be exposed to indirect and bright sunlight for them to thrive and grow.
The Jade plant, be it young or old, should get at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight every day. However, exposing the plant to direct afternoon sunlight can cause the young plants to scorch and the older ones could see their leaves turning red.
The Jade plant, be it young or old, should get at least 4 to 6 hours of sunlight every day. However, exposing the plant to direct afternoon sunlight can cause the young plants to scorch and the older ones could see their leaves turning red.
Watering
Water the Jade plant well in the spring and the summer months because it is the growing season. The soil should be moist but should not be wet. The soil should be well-drained. In the winter months do not water the soil more than once a month. Your Jade plant must never sit on the water.
Temperature and humidity
A 65 to 70 degrees daytime temperature is ideal for the Jade plant to grow. The plant can handle a temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night. The plant is not tolerant to frost so if you keep them outside then get them indoors when the temperature falls.
Soil
Jade plant needs well-drained and neutral to acidic soil. A blend that is succulent-specific is the best bet. The soil should be drained well to avoid any fungal growth. Placing the plant in clay or a terracotta vessel can wick the extra moisture in the soil.
Wintering
The plant soil should be kept dry in the winter months. The soil should be moist but should not be overwatered. Never drape the Jade plant in plastic as this traps moisture causing the plant to rot.
Pruning
Pruning is important as regular trimming keeps the plant compact and lets the stem grow thick. Any new tip should be pinched. Prune the growth to encourage branching which will let the plant grow thick and full. A sharp pair of pruning snips help.
Deadheading
Deadheading or snipping off the blooms gives a tighter and denser shape to your plant. This is not necessary as the flowers drop off themselves but could be a good idea to give the plant a better look.
Fertilizer
It is crucial to feed the succulent in the growing season. To keep it healthy, feed the plant with a controlled-release fertilizer at the start of the season. You may even fertilize it weekly using a weak fertilizer in a liquid form. Ensure that the fertilizer that you use on the young plant contains less nitrogen.
Feeding
After a month of planting the Jade plant, you can start feeding it. This will give the plant the right amount and kind of food for it to grow well. Apply the feed on the soil directly and water it as usual.
Propagation
Jade plants are easy to propagate. The new plant can be propagated with just a single leaf from the parent plant. Take a cutting or a leaf at least three inches in length and let it sit for some days in a dry and warm climate. When you notice a scab on the cut area you can plant with the cut scab facing down.
Pests & Diseases
Mealybugs are the most common pests seen on Jade plants that leave back white patchy marks on the plant at the site where the leaf gets attached to the stem. Infestation with scale or spider mites is also common.
Since the succulents are sensitive to oils and insecticides the best way to treat pests is to wipe them off with tissue or a cotton ball that is soaked in alcohol.
Conclusion
Jade plants are undemanding and grow easily. However, these are susceptible to various diseases and need the right care to stay healthy. Overwatering the plant could turn fatal. The plant also needs the right amount of sunlight to grow.
If proper conditions are provided, the Jade plants are a stunning succulent that is easy to grow and bring in a plethora of benefits to your living space making them a valuable addition to your home garden.
