The Crassula ovata, commonly known as the Jade Plant, Money Plant, or Lucky Plant, is one of the most popular and toughest succulents around. It is celebrated for its attractive, tree-like structure, developing thick, sturdy trunks over time, and its plump, glossy, oval-shaped, jade-green leaves. In full sun or cool temperatures, the edges of the leaves often develop a striking reddish tinge. In late winter or early spring, mature plants can produce clusters of small, star-shaped, white or pale pink flowers.
Caring for Your Jade Plant
- Growing Conditions: This tough succulent loves a spot with bright, direct or indirect light. Full sun is best to maintain its compact shape and encourage the reddish leaf margins. It’s quite resilient but needs protection from heavy frost. It must have very well-draining soil—a specialised succulent mix is essential—as it is highly prone to root rot in wet conditions.
- Watering: The Jade Plant is extremely drought-tolerant. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. In cooler months, water infrequently. It stores water in its thick leaves, so it’s much better to underwater than to overwater.
- Feeding: It’s a low-maintenance plant. A light feed with a slow-release, general-purpose fertiliser for succulents in spring is all that’s needed to keep it healthy.
- Pruning: Pruning is a great way to maintain its shape, control its size, and encourage a denser, bushier habit. You can easily prune back leggy stems, and the cuttings will readily root to create new plants.
Usage in the Home and Garden
The Jade Plant is a fantastic feature plant. Its bold, sculptural form makes it a brilliant, low-maintenance indoor plant for a bright room or office. Outdoors, it looks sensational in a pot on a patio, in a rockery, or used as a structural shrub in a dry garden bed. Its durability and ease of propagation make it a must-have for both novice and experienced gardeners.
