How to Grow and Care for a Jade Plant, the Low-Maintenance Houseplant Everyone Should Own

Jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a succulent with thick, glossy leaves that is popular for its easy maintenance and ornamental appeal. When the plant is young, it is relatively bushy but can take on a tree-like appearance as it matures. When cared for properly, jade plant produces blooms with clusters of beautiful white or creamy pink flowers. The easy-to-care-for houseplant is a fast grower and can last decades when grown under the right conditions.

How to Grow a Jade Plant Outdoors

While jade plant is typically grown indoors as a houseplant, it can be planted outdoors in growing zones 11 and 12, says Melinda Myers, gardening expert and host of the Great Courses How to Grow Anything DVD series.

1. Gently remove the plant from its container.
2. Loosen the soil around the roots.
3. Dig a hole and place the plant at the same level it was growing in the container.
4. Backfill in the hole.
5. Water thoroughly.

How to Care for a Jade Plant

While indoor jade plants are low maintenance, they require some routine care to ensure that the plump foliage stays healthy.

Soil

Grow your jade plant in well-draining soil, like a cacti and succulent potting mix. Loose, rocky soil is ideal as it keeps the plant from getting water-logged, which can cause root rot.

Light

Jade plants grow best in bright, indirect light, but the succulent is relatively adaptable. "A south-facing window that provides at least four hours of bright, indirect sunlight is ideal, but they can grow in shadier spots when necessary," says Lisa Eldred Steinkopf of The Houseplant Guru. Too much sun can cause the leaves or edges of the plant to turn purple, which is why indirect light is ideal.

Water

Wait for the soil to dry out before watering your jade plant again. "Leaving the soil moist for too long creates conditions for fungal issues and root rot," says Daniel Cunningham, a horticulturist at Rooted In. "In most homes, this means watering every one to two weeks in warmer months, and less in the fall and winter."

Fertilizer

Jade plants won't require heavy fertilization when potted in well-draining soil. "Too much nitrogen can cause soft growths to appear that could distort the shape of the plant," says Steinkopf. If you want to promote more growth, apply a houseplant fertilizer once a month for a few months in spring and early summer.

Temperature

Jade plants prefer warm temperatures and can tolerate a wide range of humidity. "As long as temperatures stay above 45 degrees Fahrenheit or so, it’s not fussy about temperature, and unlike a lot of soft, leafy houseplants, it doesn’t demand high humidity levels," says Justin Hancock, horticulturist for Costa Farms. Note: the succulent isn't frost tolerant and will need to be brought inside before the first frost.

How to Prune a Jade Plant

Pruning a jade plant is best done during spring to promote new growth and keep the succulent compact. "To prune for size, cut a stem back to its desired length. Or, if you have an older plant, cut off side branches to where they meet a main branch," says Hancock. "If you’re pruning to shape, remove stems or branches to a point where it meets another branch or stem." To grow your jade plant into tree form, regular pruning when it's young can help it develop a stronger trunk.

How to Propagate a Jade Plant

There are multiple ways to propagate a jade plant, but propagating from stem cuttings creates a larger plant in a shorter amount of time, says Johanna Hutchins, Juli Plant Grainger Orchid Floriculturist, Chicago Botanic Garden.

1. Find a stem with two to three leafless nodes at the bottom with some leaves at the top.
2. Using a clean, sharp knife or scissors, remove a stem from the plant.
3. Let the cutting sit out for a few days to allow the cut end to form a callus.
4. Once it has formed a callus, fill a small pot with a well-draining potting mix.
5. Put the cutting directly into the soil.
6. Water thoroughly, then let it dry out before watering again.
   

How to Repot a Jade Plant

While jade plants do not mind being root-bound, they should be repotted every two to three years or when the plant becomes too top-heavy. "The best time to repot a jade plant is when new growth starts, usually in the spring," says Hutchins. Choose a new pot that has drainage holes, is heavier, and is 1 to 2 inches larger than the previous pot. However, if you want your plant to remain the same size, repot it into the same pot.

1. Remove the plant from the pot.
2. If necessary, remove any roots that are dead or rotten. (If you decide to repot your plant into the same pot, root prune the plant by removing approximately 25 percent of the roots.)
3. Add potting media to the bottom of the pot. Put enough soil so the root ball of the plant will be a little below the edge of the pot when you put it in. 
4. Set the plant in the center of the pot. Adjust the amount of soil at the bottom if necessary to ensure that the plant is at the right level. 
5. Add soil around the plant. Make sure there are no air gaps, and the potting media fills the entire pot and covers all the roots. The soil level should remain a little below the edge of the pot.
6. Fully water the plant, making sure water is coming out of the drainage holes. 
7. If necessary, add more potting media to the pot.

Common Types of Jade Plants

There are many varieties of jade plant to choose from, but these are some of the most common.

• Variegata: Each leaf on this variety of jade plant is decorated with a frosted white or creamy edge. Because it has less chlorophyll (green pigment) this selection grows slower than traditional jade plant, says Hancock.
• Gollum: This mutation features leaves that grow like a flat-ended cylinder rather than a rounded leaf.
• Hobbit: Similar to Gollum, this variety has red-edged, tubular leaves, says Hutchins.
• Sunset: In cooler temperatures, this selection develops more notable red, yellow, and orange tones in the foliage, particularly closer to the edges, says Hancock.
• Pink Beauty: Recognized for its flowers, Pink Beauty features blossoms in a strong pink tone. When not in bloom, you can’t necessarily distinguish this from the traditional jade plant, says Hancock.

Common Problems With Jade Plants

Mealybugs

Mealybugs are the most common insect that affects jade plants. Typically found in the nooks and crannies of the plant, as well as under the leaves, mealybugs look like white, fluffy insects. "Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove the pests, checking back frequently for a few weeks to make sure all pests have been removed," says Hutchins. "Insecticidal soaps can also be used to treat these pests."

Spider Mites

Spider mites are another incredibly small pest that can harm jade plants. While they're difficult to see, signs of spider mites include mottled leaves or fine webbing around the plant. Use the same method for removing mealybugs when treating spider mites.

Bacterial Soft Rot

Bacterial soft rot will cause the plant to rot and collapse from the inside. "It can easily spread to the entire plant if not treated," says Hutchins. "If you spot this, cut off infected areas using a sterile knife, scissors, or pruners."

Root Rot

Root rot can cause your jade plant to wilt and even die. It's typically caused by keeping the plant in a soil mix that is too wet. "Make sure your plant is potted in a well-draining media, and allow the soil to dry out between waterings," says Hutchins.

Yellow Leaves

Yellowing leaves are typically due to overwatering. "Make sure your plant is potted in a well-draining media, make sure the plant is never sitting in water, and allow the media to dry before watering," says Hutchins.

Loss of Leaves

While some of the lower leaves will naturally drop off, the loss of leaves can also be caused by several factors including overwatering, under watering, low light levels, and pests. "Inspect the plant for pests, treat if necessary," says Hutchins. "Make sure you are providing the correct amount of water, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings."