How to care for jade plants, Indoor plants like Crassula ovata are sometimes known as jade plants, friendship plants, or silver dollar plants; however, these names are less widespread. It is still occasionally sold under the previous, more common names of C. argentea, C. portulaca, and C. obliqua. The names “ovata” and “crassula,” which describe the genus’s fleshy characteristics and the species’ leaf form, respectively, imply egg-shaped and thick. In the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, C. ovata is a common element of the thicket vegetation of the valley.
In a separate region, the Little and Central Karoo are home to the very similar C. arborescens, which has almost spherical blue-gray leaves and a unique waxy bloom. It has small, spherical heads of pink blossoms. Jade has long been a necessary plant, beloved inside and frequently used as a bonsai. This succulent may survive for 50 or even 100 years if the correct circumstances are met. Jade plants are an excellent choice if you want to grow some beautiful houseplants.
Yes, your plants are jade. They combine to provide a wonderful selection of low-maintenance, easily grown houseplants that require little of our attention. Even though they’re a very simple plant to cultivate both indoors and outdoors, many people—possibly even those without much experience—may find it difficult to grow them. Fortunately, there won’t be any problems with growing and caring for them if you take the required precautions as outlined. The succulent jade plant is simple to cultivate and retains water in its roots, stems, and leaves.
It has been used as a landscape plant in moderate regions and as an interior decoration all over the world. It grows well in the limited root area of containers, is somewhat slow to develop, prefers the warm, dry conditions present in most houses, and can withstand neglect, all of which make it an excellent houseplant. C. ovata develops as a tiny, rounded, evergreen shrub up to six feet tall in its natural environment, which is dry, rocky slopes.
On a trunk that seems twisted, it bears several small, thick, succulent branches that, even in young specimens, imply considerable age. On older plants, the bark slips off the trunk in horizontal, brownish strips. Knowing how to take care of your jade plant is essential if you want it to survive for as long as possible. We’ve got you covered, so relax.
Jade plant growth expectations:
Jade plants need sunlight can indirect light, but they thrive in four or more hours of full sunlight. There is nothing wrong with the plant other than its inability to receive enough light to generate regular compact growth and reddish coloration, which will result in a plant with deep green leaves and drooping stems. Although this plant can withstand a large variety of temperatures and humidity levels, it will not survive freezing temperatures. It may even withstand light frost. During the summer, houseplants can be put outside, but they must gradually adjust to the stronger outside light in order to avoid being sunburned.
Before there is a first frost, they must be moved indoors. They develop slowly, but soon they’ll get large enough that you’ll have to start making plans for them right now. Jade plants take several decades to reach their maximum height of six to ten feet. You may maintain the plant as tiny as you desire by pruning, but ultimately you might have to propagate it from a cutting. With the finest care, the plant should only grow 2 to 3 inches in height annually.
Optimal Soil Types:
It thrives in light, airy soil mixes because it is a desert plant. Check out a product made for orchids and cacti. A pH of 6.0 or so is a good place to start. To make your own, use one part old compost or other organic material, one part peat moss, and three parts coarse pebble and sand mix. As a result, the jade plant will have proper drainage and won’t decay. Coir and crushed pumice can be added as well. Ascertain the jade plant’s position such that the base of its stem is visible and its roots are barely covered by dirt. If the stem is buried in any way, it will decay instead of growing.
Similar to other succulents, jade plants need extremely well-draining soil. A somewhat heavier soil is also necessary because this species has a tendency to become top-heavy. Succulent-specific soil can be purchased or manufactured by mixing your own with heavier ingredients like sand, grit, or rock and an organic matter source like peat moss, coir, or decomposed bark. You may enhance drainage by adding bark chips or perlite. With a pH of about 6.5, jade plants like acidic soil. Two teaspoons of limestone should be added to each gallon of growth media if the pH has to be corrected.

Setting Up for Planting:
Despite their tendency to develop to great sizes in the end, most jade plant species are small at first. Keep the potting vessel the same size as the plant’s root ball because they require some rootboundness in order to grow. Limit the amount of loose dirt or space between the roots and the vessel to no more than half an inch for the plant. Ascertain that the area you select is warm and draft-free.

Light:
Give your jade plant sunlight requirements at least 4 to 6 hours of bright, indirect sunshine a day to achieve the healthiest, greenest leaves possible. Plants that are exposed to some light may have thin, gray-colored leaves. In the summer, you are permitted to carry your jade plant outside. There will likely be a growth spurt due to the additional sunlight and higher temperatures. Plants must be arranged with their closest sides facing the window; ideally, this means facing south.
They require light to prevent their stems from growing weak and lanky. The light gives them the nutrition they require to be healthy, productive, and sterile throughout the year. Since they do not perform well in temperatures below 50ºF, do not leave them outside during cold weather.

Temperature and level of humidity:
Jade plants thrive inside in the 65° to 75°F range, which is also the typical human temperature. If you live in a tropical climate and you put your plants outside, they will get an abundance of sunshine. But the kind of illumination that each plant needs varies when it is brought indoors. Let’s examine the amount of light that an indoor jade plant requires. They require 12 to 14 hours a day of sunshine.

Fertilizer:
The jade plant is a tough plant that can withstand less-than-ideal growing circumstances. But you must provide it with the necessary nutrition if you want it to remain healthy and grow bigger. For a plant to thrive healthily. Not a lot is needed for jade plants to flourish. Early to midspring is the best time to apply an all-purpose organic fertilizer. Give jade plants sporadic little doses of fertilizer during the growth season to maintain their green color. As with other plants, jade plants benefit greatly from fertilization when they are actively growing. You should think about feeding the jade plant during the period it grows, which is from early March to late August in typical conditions.
You can ready homemade fertilizer for jade plant such as Eggshells, Wood ash, Liquid seaweed, Banana peels, Fish tank water, Green tea etc. The plant will be able to obtain all the macro- and micronutrients it needs in this manner in order to grow strong roots, leaves, and flowers. Conversely, feeding the plant in the autumn and winter is not something you should do. This happens because the plant doesn’t consume the nutrients in the soil since it is dormant during this time. The plant’s leaf tips may be harmed by the extra fertilizer’s ability to dry up the soil. Hence, as a general rule, it’s preferable to fertilize jade plants lightly rather than excessively.

Trimming:
Trimming jade plant in during spring and summer when they are actively growing. It may be allowed to grow in whichever direction it pleases or pruned like a bonsai. Jade plants will benefit from a trim if they grow top-heavy, which happens occasionally. Avoid overpruning or excessive cutting of your plants, as this might deprive them of essential nutrients. To give your jade plants a top-notch finish, use pruning shears or pruning sheets, which are expert equipment.

Repotting and Potting Jade Plants:
In order to prevent your jade plant from overcoming its container, you will probably need to repot it every two to three years. Use an unglazed clay container so that any extra moisture may escape and keep the plant from becoming too wet. The plant won’t need to be repotted more than once every four or five years as it gets older. It will be more crucial to use broad, heavy-bottomed pots to fit your growing plant as it gets bigger.
In lighter containers, jade plants are prone to tipping due to their tendency to grow top-heavy. Your plant will expand its roots when you backfill it with dirt once you remove it from its outgrown pot, clean off the roots, and make sure there is no fungus. Give your jade plant a little water after a week has passed. Repotting plants is usually not something they want to do, avoid putting them under constant pressure. Repotting the plants is only necessary if they begin to topple over or if their roots begin to protrude through the little openings. If not, return them to their original location without alteration. Jade plant repotting time is every 2–5 years.

Watering:
Jade plant water requirements to be watered carefully and sparingly to avoid overwatering. If you keep watering jade plants excessively, all you are doing is wasting water and time. Numerous issues with jade plants, such as root rot and plant mortality, can result from overwatering. Water jade plants only when the uppermost layer of soil becomes very dry, just as we do with other plants. Not before, nor after. Furthermore, excessive watering might result in soggy, moist plant soil—something that plants dislike. You may sprinkle them once a week in the summer and once a month in the winter.

Pest Issues:
If the leaves of your indoor jade plant appear dull, try wiping them down with a damp cloth. Dust is typically a bigger problem for jade plants than bugs. If the weather permits, you can also move your plant outside to gently mist it with water from a hose to remove any collected dust. Check the plant frequently for mealybugs and scale, spider mites, and aphids, paying special attention to the undersides of the leaves.
For example, mealybugs are a frequent issue for jade plants. These insects resemble tiny, hazy white dots. If you come across any of these pests on houseplants, use a rubbing alcohol-sprayed paper towel to remove them from the plant.

Some Extra Guidelines for Maintaining a Healthy Jade Plant:
In addition to fertilizing, you need to maintain the following environmental conditions for your jade plant’s healthy growth: pH of the soil: Because the plant requires somewhat acidic soil, balanced fertilizers aren’t the best option for them. Temperature: Avoid extremely high or low temperatures for the plant and maintain it between 60 and 75 °F. Watering: Give the plant one inch of water every two to three weeks, being careful not to overwater by first checking the top inch of soil.
Conclusion:
With its gorgeous green oval-shaped leaves and strong, woody stalks, the jade plant is a highly sought-after succulent houseplant. This succulent plant resembles a tree and is perfect for any garden, either indoors or out. This succulent may grow to be quite enormous and survive an exceptionally prolonged period if given the right conditions. It grows extremely slowly, only gaining approximately two inches a year, and may reach a maximum height of three and a half feet both inside and outdoors. Jade plants are lucky plants.
Growers of jade plants cultivate this succulent inside, particularly in their offices, where it is said to bring good fortune. Because jade plants are considered lucky charms, many people gift them! So, if you are a beginner at gardening and looking for a tough houseplant with loads of charming personalities, buy a jade plant!