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Jade tree Crassula ovata

Previously known as:

  • Crassula argentea
Phonetic Spelling
KRASS-oo-la oh-VAY-tuh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Jade plant is a subtropical broadleaf evergreen succulent that is a popular houseplant. The species name "ovata" means egg-shaped referring to the thick, fleshy leaves.   

Plant in well-drained potting soil that contains a lot of loam and place the pot in a sunny location indoors.  It is intolerant of humidity and requires well-drained drier soil, so one must be careful not to overwater (this plant will develop root rot in poorly-drained soil).  However, it has a small root system and therefore does not need a large pot.  Bright light and average to cool indoor temperatures are also essential for good plant health.  It does not usually bloom in home environments.  Propagation is easily achieved by leaf cutting.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaves are oval, succulent, and entire
  • Stems are branched and thick with prominent stipular scars
  • Leaves have scattered sunken stomata
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Botany Bay'
    compact, bushy, light greenish-yellow leaves with red tips
  • 'Crosby's Compact'
    compact habit, small, rounded leaves in shades of red, yellow, and orange
  • 'Gollum'
    tubular leaves, leaf tips are circular like a small suction cup
  • 'Gollum Variegata'
    variegated leaves of pale green and white
  • 'Hobbit'
    spoon-shaped leaves that curl inwards
  • 'Hummel's Sunset'
    shrub-like habit with yellowish-orange to red leaves
  • 'Minima'
    dwarf, small, rounded dark green leaves
  • 'Pink Beauty'
    pink flowers, small leaves tinged with red
  • 'Red Coral'
    bright reddish-orange tubular foliage
  • 'Skinny Fingers'
    long, thin, tubular-shaped green leaves
  • 'Variegata' Crassula ovata 'Variegata'
    variegated leaves of light green, white, yellow, and sometimes pink
'Botany Bay', 'Crosby's Compact', 'Gollum', 'Gollum Variegata', 'Hobbit', 'Hummel's Sunset', 'Minima', 'Pink Beauty', 'Red Coral', 'Skinny Fingers', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#drought tolerant#shrub#succulent#pink flowers#broadleaf evergreen#interiorscape#fantz#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#tropical feel#container plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Botany Bay'
    compact, bushy, light greenish-yellow leaves with red tips
  • 'Crosby's Compact'
    compact habit, small, rounded leaves in shades of red, yellow, and orange
  • 'Gollum'
    tubular leaves, leaf tips are circular like a small suction cup
  • 'Gollum Variegata'
    variegated leaves of pale green and white
  • 'Hobbit'
    spoon-shaped leaves that curl inwards
  • 'Hummel's Sunset'
    shrub-like habit with yellowish-orange to red leaves
  • 'Minima'
    dwarf, small, rounded dark green leaves
  • 'Pink Beauty'
    pink flowers, small leaves tinged with red
  • 'Red Coral'
    bright reddish-orange tubular foliage
  • 'Skinny Fingers'
    long, thin, tubular-shaped green leaves
  • 'Variegata' Crassula ovata 'Variegata'
    variegated leaves of light green, white, yellow, and sometimes pink
'Botany Bay', 'Crosby's Compact', 'Gollum', 'Gollum Variegata', 'Hobbit', 'Hummel's Sunset', 'Minima', 'Pink Beauty', 'Red Coral', 'Skinny Fingers', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#drought tolerant#shrub#succulent#pink flowers#broadleaf evergreen#interiorscape#fantz#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#tropical feel#container plant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Crassula
    Species:
    ovata
    Family:
    Crassulaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Leaf Cutting
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    South Africa
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Shrub
    Succulent
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Very Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Insignificant
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Pollinated flowers produce a small capsule filled with seed.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Colored Sepals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    This plant rarely blooms as a houseplant but can form a 2-3 branched cyme with white flowers tinged with pink. They have 4-5 petals that are fused at the base and purple anthers. This plant has abundant terminal clusters of small white flowers following the development of pink sepal covered flower buds.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Cuneate
    Obovate
    Obtuse
    Orbicular
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The 1 to 3½ inches long and ¾ to 1½ inches wide oval leaves are thick, fleshy, and shiny. They are mid to dark green, stemless and the margins will acquire a red tint in direct sun. The leaves have scattered sunken stomata and tend to be clustered at the ends of the branches. This plant has succulent, flattened, obovate leaves on thick, brittle, succulent stems. Leaves are simple and nearly sessile.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Peeling
    Bark Description:
    The bark is woody, peeling with distinct rings called stipular scars.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Branched, fleshy, and thick with distinct rings around the stem. New growth is green or reddish-brown while older growth has a more grey color. Stays a similar diameter the entire length of the stem.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Vomiting, depression, incoordination
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknown
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No