Jade plant care can be mastered with a few simple steps. If you know how to care for succulents, you’ll know that these water-storing wonders can handle a little neglect and are great for first-timers or beginners.
Since jade plants are succulents, they need little care to go far. “Jade plants – aka Crassula – are super easy to care for, look a bit like miniature trees with their abundance of green thick waxy leaves and make a great addition to a shelf or windowsill,” says Morag Hill, co-founder of The Little Botanic (opens in new tab). “They stand slightly taller than most succulents, making them a great inclusion in a plant group to add height and style to a shelf or tabletop.”
Crassula’s low maintenance requirements and good looks are not the only reason for its popularity.
‘The jade plant is one of the most popular houseplants in the world and has been for centuries, explains Maddie Porritt, plant expert at The Stem (opens in new tab). ‘In some Asian countries, the jade plant is associated with luck, wealth and prosperity and is often called a money plant. The jade plant was introduced to Europe in the 17th century and has been popular ever since.’
So what is the best way to care for your Crassula?
JADE PLANT CARE
1. GIVE IT A SUNNY SPOT
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Not all succulents like direct sun, but jade plants seem to be an exception, especially during the winter months.
“Jade plants also known as Money plants are a succulent native to southern Africa where the environment is dry and hot, knowing this helps to understand how best to care for the plant in your home,” says Jemma Charman of Green Rooms Market (opens in new tab).
‘They like to have some direct sunlight or very bright indirect light. If they don’t get enough light, you’ll notice that the stems become a bit ‘bony’ and elongated with sparse leaves as it reaches for the light.’
“They’re happiest in a bright spot and you’ll see faster growth if they get good light,” adds Morag Hill, co-founder of The Little Botanical.
“Although full mid-summer sun would not be recommended as the leaves could scorch. These small plants are easy to care for and are a good option for novice plant parents.’
“A sunny spot where they can get about four hours of direct sunlight a day will keep the Jade plants happy,” adds Maddie, The Stem.
2. CHECK THAT THE TOP SOIL IS DRY BEFORE WATERING
(Image credit: The Little Botanical)
If you are in doubt about how often you should water houseplants, it is worth checking the soil first.
“Only water your Jade plant when the top half of its soil is completely dry to the touch,” says Maddie at The Stem. ‘To test if your Jade plant is thirsty, dip your finger deep into its soil. If your finger comes out covered in moist soil, your plant does not need water. If your finger is dry with little or no soil, it’s time to water. It’s always better to be under water than over water.’
“The main killer of a Jade plant is overwatering, especially in winter, when the soil must be left to completely dry between waterings,” adds Jemma, Green Rooms Market.
‘A good soaking is rarely better than watering little and often. Like most succulents, a handy indicator that it’s time to water will be the leaves becoming slightly wrinkled. It is much easier for a plant to recover from underwatering than overwatering, so always be careful.’
3. WATER SAVING
(Image credit: The Stem)
Like many other succulents, Jade plants originate from a dry environment, so they can cope with a dry period.
‘It doesn’t take much to keep your Jade plant happy, water them directly into the soil no more than once a month and try to avoid getting water on the leaves,’ says Morag Hill.
‘The fleshy leaves and stems are good at storing water to survive periods of drought, so giving a Jade plant too much love in terms of watering, especially in winter, will be bad news for this plant.’
“Jade plants are easy-going plants that are great for beginners as they don’t need a lot of water or moisture,” adds Jemma Charman, co-founder, Green Rooms Market.
‘They tend to grow quite slowly, but they have a lovely shape. As they mature, they become more like a mini tree, with a thick trunk and woody stems, and can actually grow to over a meter tall. They are also popular because of their ease of propagation; you may even notice a fallen leaf beginning to take root in the pot below.’
IS A JADE PLANT INDOOR OR OUTDOOR?
It depends on where you live, in cooler climates jade plants make good houseplants and can benefit from being moved outdoors in the summer. In warmer places, however, they thrive outdoors all year round.
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT JADE PLANTS?
Jade plants (Crassula) are also known as money plants and are a favorable addition to the home in parts of Asia. With its succulent round evergreen leaves, its symbol of growth and renewal and popular in Feng Shui.
