Jade plant (Crassula ovata)
Care, watering, light and tips for Jade plant on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Crassulaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 14 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Jade plant
Crassula ovata, commonly known as Jade Plant, is a bushy succulent native to South Africa, famous for its glossy green fleshy leaves that can develop a reddish edge under good sun exposure. Its robust, branched appearance, resembling a small tree, makes it an ideal choice for decorating bright interiors, offices, or as part of succulent collections, adding a touch of natural elegance.
Native range
South Africa and Mozambique
Care tips
It requires bright light, even direct sun for a few hours a day for compact growth and optimal leaf coloration. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot, being less frequent in winter. Use a well-draining substrate specifically for succulents or cacti. A common mistake is overwatering, which can be fatal for this plant; it's better to err on the side of dryness than wetness.
How to save a dying Jade plant
- Warning signs
- Soft, wrinkled, drooping leaves (underwatering); yellow, soft leaves, dark stem (overwatering).
- First aid
- If dry, water thoroughly; if wet, remove and check roots. Cut rotten parts. Repot in dry substrate.
- What kills it
- Overwatering is its biggest enemy. Wet substrate quickly rots its roots.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, it often recovers. Take healthy cuttings if damage is severe for propagation.