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Blog / Houseplants / Houseplant Growing Guides / How To Care For A Jade Plant (Crassula)

How To Care For A Jade Plant (Crassula)

Date: June 22, 2024 by Amy Andrychowicz | 242 Comments

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How To Care For Jade Plants: The Ultimate Guide
How To Care For Jade Plants: The Ultimate Guide
Jade Plant Care Tips & Growing Guide
The Complete Jade Plant Care & Growing Guide
The Complete Jade Plant Care & Growing Guide
The Complete Jade Plant Care & Growing Guide
How To Care For Jade Plants: The Ultimate Guide

Jade plants are easier to care for than most people think, even for beginners. They grow very well either indoors or outside, and can live for many, many years.

In this complete jade plant care guide, I will show you all you need to know for the best success. We’ll cover everything, from water, light, and soil, to pest control, fertilizer, troubleshooting common problems, and much more.

Jade Plant Care & Growing Guide.
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I have been growing jade plants, both indoors and outside, for a few decades. In fact, I still have the very first one I ever bought waaaay back in 2001, and it’s one of the oldest plants I own.

When I got it, it was a tiny thing in a 4″ pot, and now it’s about 3′ tall and wide (it’s the one in the photo above). Since then, I’ve added several others to my collection (you’ll see some of them in the pictures below). Every one of them is thriving, and I love them all.

Needless to say, I was very excited to write this guide to share my wealth of knowledge and expert hands-on experience with all of you.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Quick Jade Plant Care Overview
  • Information About Jade Plants
  • Where To Grow Jade Plants
  • Jade Plant Care & Growing Instructions
  • Propagation Tips
  • Troubleshooting Common Problems
  • FAQs

Quick Jade Plant Care Overview

Scientific name:Crassula
Classification:Succulent plant
Common names:Jade plant, Money plant
Hardiness:Zones 9-11
Temperature:55-85°F
Flowers:White or pink, blooms in winter
Light:Full sun to partial shade
Water:Allow soil to dry between waterings, do not overwater
Humidity:Little to none
Fertilizer:General purpose plant food in spring and summer
Soil:Fast-draining, sandy soil
Common pests:Mealybugs, scale, spider mites

Information About Jade Plants

Jade plant (Crassula) is a perennial succulent that is native to parts of South Africa and Mozambique. In nature, they can reach heights of 6′ tall or more, and are often used as shrubs in warm climates.

They’re also known by the common name “money plant”. But don’t confuse it with other plants that go by the same common name, because they require very different care…

  • Chinese Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)
  • Money Tree (Pachira aquatica)
  • Pothos Plant (Epipremnum aureum), aka Devil’s Ivy

Different Types Of Jade Plants

There are lots of different types of jade plants, so you can grow a nice variety of them if you’d like to. I have several in my collection, and I adore every one of them. Here are a few of my favorites…

  • Crassula ovata – This is the common jade plant variety that everyone knows and loves. It has rounded, flat leaves, and can grow to become a large shrub with a very thick trunk.
  • ‘Gollum’ jade plant – Also called E.T. fingers or baby toes, this variety has really cool tubular shaped leaves that are long, narrow, and rounded.
  • Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’ – Often used interchangeably with the one above as they look very similar, this is commonly called “Shrek Ears” or “Ogre Ears” because the tubular leaves are wider on top as if they are tipped with suction cups.
  • Dwarf jades – As the name suggests, dwarf varieties are simply a smaller version of the regular one. They look exactly the same, but have smaller leaves and will only grow to be a few feet tall.
  • ‘Jitters’ – A unique variety that has thin, wavy, rippled leaves that are lighter green than the other types.
  • Crassula arborescens – Also called a “Silver Dollar”, this gorgeous specimen has wide silver/gray leaves with red tips.
'Gollum' variety of a jade plant.
‘Gollum’ variety of a jade plant.

Flowers

Many people are surprised to learn that, with the proper care, jade plants can flower. In warmer climates where they grow outside year-round, they bloom during the winter. But it’s very uncommon indoors without help.

To get your jade plant to bloom, you need to give it similar conditions to what it experiences when it’s outdoors.

The trick is to give it tons of light during the summer. Then, expose it to cooler (but never freezing) temperatures in the fall, and allow the soil to dry out.

When you bring your jade back inside in the fall, put it in a sunny spot, and keep the soil dry. You should start seeing flower buds in a few weeks.

Flowering jade plant.
Flowering jade plant.

Crassula Toxicity

According to the ASPCA website, jade plants are toxic to dogs and cats if they ingest them.

My cats have never touched mine, but it’s a good idea to keep them out of reach if your pets like to snack on plants, just in case.

Where To Grow Jade Plants

If you live in a warm enough climate, you can grow your jade plant outside year-round. But they also do very well as indoor houseplants.

Hardiness

Jade plants are hardy down to zone 9. They can handle a bit of cold, and are even tolerant of light frost. But they will eventually die if it stays cold for too long.

If you live in an area with harsh winters, then you’ll either need to bring your plant indoors for the winter, or keep it as a houseplant.

Location

The best location to grow your jade plant is a sunny spot with dry soil. Outdoors, plant it in a spot where the ground is very sandy and fast-draining. Indoors grow your potted jade in a sunny, south-facing window.

You could keep it indoors year-round, or put it outside during the summer to give it a growing boost. Just make sure the pot has holes in the bottom, and bring it back inside before it drops below 60°F in the fall.

Related Post: Debugging and Cleaning Potted Plants Before Bringing Them Indoors

Jade Plant Care & Growing Instructions

For the most part, caring for jade plants is easy. But they do have some pretty specific growing requirements. So, for best success, follow my detailed instructions and tips below.

Youtube video

Watering

The biggest mistake that people make with jade plant care is overwatering, and this is their #1 cause of death. Too much will cause root and stem rot, quickly killing your plant.

You can learn exactly how to properly water your jade plant in this guide, but here are a few quick tips:

  • Let the soil dry at least 2-3″ deep before giving your plant more.
  • When it’s time, water deeply until it starts running out the bottom holes, and let it drain away completely.
  • Give your plant less in the winter, and slightly more during the hot summer months.
  • If you struggle with getting it right, get yourself an inexpensive soil moisture gauge to make it easy.
Potted jade plant growing outside in the summer.
Potted jade plant growing outside in the summer.

Light Requirements

Though they will tolerate partial shade, jade plants grow best in a full sun location. If it’s too dark, especially indoors, the stems and branches will become weak, thin, and leggy.

With enough sunlight, the stems and leaves will be thick and compact, and the trunk will turn brown and woody at the base. Also, the leaves or tips of your jade plant will turn red, making them even more beautiful.

Here’s are my tips to figure out the ideal amount light for your plant:

  • Indoors – Place your plant in a sunny, south-facing window. If you don’t have enough natural sunlight in your house, then add a grow light to supplement.
  • Outside – Grow your jade plant in a full sun to partial shade location. If it gets too much shade, then the leaves will stay green and your plant won’t flower.
Red jade plant leaf tips.
Red jade plant leaf tips.

Temperature

Jade plants grow their best when the temps are between 55-85°F. They can handle occasional frost, but they’re not very cold hardy.

They’ll also survive brief periods of freezing temperatures, but will start to suffer if it’s cold for too long. So make sure to protect your plant or bring it indoors if it’s going to stay below 45°F outside.

On the flip side, they can handle the heat in the summer. But the leaves can start to shrivel in extremely hot and dry weather. So you should give your jade a little extra water during extended heatwaves.

Best Soil

Using the correct soil for your jade plant is a crucial part of their care. They need a porous and quick-draining mix. General purpose potting soils hold too much moisture, and can cause your plant to rot.

You can buy succulent soil, get a gritty commercial mix, or you can make your own by mixing coarse sand, potting soil, and perlite.

Huge indoor jade plant.
Huge indoor jade plant.

Repotting

Jade plants have very shallow roots, so they can live in the same pot for many years. In fact, it’s better to keep your plant a little root-bound, rather than repotting it too often.

When the time comes, choose a container that is 1-2 sizes larger than the current one. I recommend using an unglazed clay pot, but plastic or another type will work, as long as it has drainage holes in the bottom.

Fertilizer

You don’t need to worry too much about fertilizing as a part of your regular jade plant care routine. But it will help to encourage faster growth and flowers.

Apply a general purpose liquid monthly during spring and summer, or top-dress with slow-release granules once or twice.

Jades go into a dormant state during the colder months, and you should let them rest. So don’t fertilize during the fall and winter, or the new growth will probably be weak and leggy.

Crassula arborescens silver dollar jade.
Crassula arborescens silver dollar jade.

Pest Control Tips

Healthy jade plants don’t usually have problems with pests. But sometimes mealybugs, scale, or spider mites can attack them, especially indoors.

You can spot-treat small infestations by soaking a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and using that to remove the bugs. For a larger or persistent outbreak, treat your plant with neem oil or a insecticidal soap.

Jades can be sensitive to some types of sprays though. So test any product that you want to use on a couple of leaves first to make sure there’s no damage before you treat the whole plant.

Miniature jade plant.
Miniature jade plant.

Pruning

Regular pruning is another important part of jade plant care. It will help to keep the foliage compact, and encourages the stems and the trunk to grow thicker.

Pinch off the new tips as they form in the spring or early summer, and use a sharp pair of precision pruners to trim leggy growth and encourage branching.

Get my full step by step instructions for when and how to your prune jade plant here.

'Jitters' variety of a jade plant
‘Jitters’ variety of a jade plant

Propagation Tips

Jade plants are extremely easy to propagate, and you can grow tons of new babies by rooting either stem or leaf cuttings.

Allow the cut area to dry for a few days, then dip it in rooting hormone. Plant it in a slightly moist, well-drained soil mix, and in a few weeks it will form roots.

If you want to learn more about how to do it, then check out my detailed step-by-step jade plant propagation instructions here.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

In this section, I’ll help you troubleshoot some of the most common jade plant care problems you may have, with tips for how to fix them.

Leaves Or Branches Falling Off

When the leaves or branches start dropping off, it’s almost always caused by improper watering (usually too much), but it could be from a bug infestation.

Inspect your plant for signs of bugs, and treat any that you find. Ensure the soil dries completely before giving more, but never to the point where the leaves start shriveling or the plant droops. Use a moisture gauge to get it just right.

Mushy Or Rotting Stem Or Leaves

When the stem, branches, or leaves are brown and mushy, then it means they are rotting because of excessive moisture.

If they’re rotting on the top of your jade plant, then you can just prune off the affected parts. Otherwise, if the main stem is mushy, then you’ll have to take healthy cuttings to start new plants.

Leaves Turning Brown

This could be caused by improper watering or sunburn. If the brown leaves are soft and mushy, then they’re rotting from overwatering. Otherwise if they’re dried up and crispy, then your plant isn’t getting enough moisture

Ensure you’re giving your jade the correct amount of moisture, and harden it off before moving it into the full sun to prevent burning.

Trunk & Stems Turning Brown

It’s normal for the main trunk and branches to turn brown and become woody with age, and it means that you’re doing a great job of caring for your jade plant. However, if smaller stems suddenly turn brown after moving them into the direct sun, it is from sunburn.

In that case, move your jade back to the shade, and slowly acclimate it to the full sun over a period of a few weeks.

Shriveling Or Drooping Branches Or Leaves

When the leaves or branches shrivel, that usually means your jade plant isn’t getting enough moisture.

However, it can also be a sign that the stem has rotted. If the base is not mushy, then water your plant more often. Otherwise, treat it for rot.

Roots Growing On The Stem Or Branches

When roots grow on the stem or branches, they are called “aerial roots”. Though it’s not always a problem, this can be triggered by under watering, and also happens when the main stem is rotting.

Ensure your jade is getting enough moisture, and check the entire stem for signs of rot. If all is good, then you can just prune off the stems with aerial roots if they bother you, or leave them be.

Aerial roots growing on a jade plant stem.
Aerial roots growing on a jade plant stem.

FAQs

Below I will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about growing jades. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, ask it in the comments below.

Is a jade plant indoor or outdoor?

You can grow jade plants either indoors or outdoors, depending on where you live. They aren’t cold hardy though, so you must move them indoors in freezing weather (anywhere less than zone 9).

Do jade plants go dormant?

Though jade plants don’t go fully dormant, they do go into a resting state in the cooler winter months. During this time, growth will slow, and they don’t require as much water.

Does a jade plant like to be root-bound?

Yes, jades like to be root-bound, and can live in the same pot for many years. Their root system isn’t very large, so keeping them in a smaller pot will help prevent overwatering.

Jade plants are easy to care for, and beautiful too. If you follow my detailed tips in this guide, you’ll have no problem keeping yours growing and thriving for decades to come.

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Share your jade plant care tips in the comments section below.

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About Amy Andrychowicz

I'm a lifelong gardener, book author, and the founder of Get Busy Gardening®. I love growing ALL of the plants. From vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers, to cacti, succulents, tropicals, and houseplants - you name it, I've grown it! I’ve been helping frustrated gardeners create beautiful and highly productive spaces they love since 2009. Read More...

Comments

  1. Carole says

    February 22, 2016 at 9:27 am

    Great information – Jade trees are so amazing by themselves and they really can make a room pop. I’ve never really been much for houseplants, I seem to forget about them once spring and summer arrive. Thanks for the info it’s something to think about, a little green indoors would be a good thing.

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      February 23, 2016 at 1:05 pm

      Haha, I tend to neglect my plants during the summer too! That’s why I started putting them outside during the summer. They love it, and it’s much easier for me! 😉

      Reply
  2. Brian says

    January 14, 2016 at 12:54 am

    I have a 7 year old jade plant. It Stands about 18 inches from dirt and has a thick trunk. The plant was growing wide and taking up too much space. So I have tied branches together and having them grow into each other so they grow upright. Similar to the bamboo twist. Any suggestions on getting your plant to grow straight up?

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      January 14, 2016 at 10:24 pm

      Are the branches drooping, or just growing wider than you like? You can always prune it to shape it.

      Reply
  3. Gerard Mulholland says

    January 8, 2016 at 1:52 pm

    Hi Amy the two pots of jade that I have been talking about have several stems in each pots at different growth stages I had the odd leaf from the lower part of the stems falling of and today there’s ten just falling of is there any chance or any way I could send a couple of photos to your site to see if everything is normal with my jade’s the part of the leaf fall is were the stems are starting to go brown some are still green. Your advice would be appreciated thanks Ged…

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      January 12, 2016 at 1:02 pm

      You can post photos on my Facebook page here… Get Busy Gardening on Facebook.

      Reply
  4. Gerard Mulholland says

    January 6, 2016 at 2:13 am

    Could you please advise me on without me sounding stupid would it help if I scrapped an inch or two of the soil away to get the Base of the stem and parts of the healthy roots to put root hormone on my jade plants for the damage that I did cause from the over watering. Would it help any or not.

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      January 6, 2016 at 8:34 am

      Great question. No, that won’t help. As long as the roots are white and the base of the plant isn’t mushy, I would just leave it alone for now and keep an eye on it until it dries out. It’s also a good idea to grow jade plants in a terracotta pot to lessen the chance of overwatering. Terracotta will wick the water away from the soil to help it dry out faster, so you’re less likely to overwater in the future. Good luck!

      Reply
  5. Gerard Mulholland says

    January 4, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    Hi can some one give me advice on my jade plants I have two good growing jade’s both just about 2 feet plus smaller ones in the pot from a foot upwards the problem was when I repotted my two plants I have 6 inches of soil then my jade’s are on top again 6 inches I watered them both and for 2-3 months I watered them to much one had holes in the bottom of pot the other didn’t and the soil was damp for 2-4 months. I took them out and put dry soil in could this have caused root rot I checked some of the roots and they were white and hard the smaller roots were weak I don’t have mushy or soft stems and the plants look great but there was small or thin roots that were brown and week but the thick roots are white and strong can someone please give advice.. many thanks.

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      January 5, 2016 at 4:10 pm

      Oh no, good thing you noticed they were being overwatered! It sounds like your jades are still healthy. If they were rotting, they would have a mushy base/stem. Keep an eye on them and make sure to let the rootball dry out before watering them again.

      Reply
      • Gerard Mulholland says

        January 5, 2016 at 4:27 pm

        Thank you very much I opened one part of the root ball and scrapped away part of an other and the roots were white.l have done what you said and not watered any plant the part of the root ball are still damp but the dry soil is soaking it up I lost the mother plant because of this I only have a small bit of the mother trunk left 4 inches I have let it dry for a few days and waiting for root hormone to be delivered plus I have 9 cuts in small pots.. but thank you for advice as I was panicking and thought I have done it again I will keep an eye on them as you advised.. Ged..

  6. Mike dundon says

    November 4, 2015 at 4:40 pm

    I 2 potted Jade Trees and this year and last 1 of them is flowering / Is this a Good thing / it is the Oldest of the 2 I had the Cuttings from 2 different plants [] Both Mother plants are over 100 years old

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      November 5, 2015 at 8:37 am

      Wow, over 100 years old?! That’s fantastic! They are great plants. Yes, flowering is good, that means you’re doing a great job caring for it and it’s rewarding you! Mine is flowering too for the first time (I’ve had mine for about 13 years). I’m so excited!!

      Reply
  7. Terry says

    October 3, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    My jade has begun to turn brown around the edges of the leaves and fall off. Some of the smaller leaves turn brown then completely dry up and fall off. Reading this article I may be watering it too often. But they almost look like sonlmeone has held a match to the edges of the leaves and they are burning off. It was looking so pretty in the spring w/the red edged leaves now it’s spragly. One thing I did do in the spring was repot it. What could be causing this?

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      October 5, 2015 at 7:16 pm

      Humm… It sounds more like the plant isn’t getting enough humidity or it might be suffering from fertilizer burn. Jade plants like dry feet, but high humidity around the plant. If you think this might be the problem, you can mist it a few times a week or put a humidifier near the plant. Otherwise, do you fertilize the plant? If so, then I would definitely take a break from that and see if the problem goes away.

      Reply
  8. Colleen Marks says

    October 1, 2015 at 3:53 pm

    My husband got some cuttings from his sister while we were in California. We’ve had them for 25 years and they have thrived out in the sunshine , (we live in Ohio). When most of the days are cloudy and the temperature goes down in the 40s I bring them in and use a grow light. My husband passed away in 2011 and in 2013 I moved and both of my jade plants got very little sun and no grow light and I didn’t think they would rebound. Well to my surprise they grew beautifully and the stems have gotten stronger and the leaves have the red outline which by the way I did not know that was a good thing. After all these years I learned some valuable tips! Thank you

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      October 5, 2015 at 10:43 am

      Awesome, love the history of your jade plant. What a wonderful plant!

      Reply
  9. anthurium says

    July 16, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    i didn’t expect jade plants grow like a tree…from my browsing i came to appreciate more of it and i b’ve bought one already with flowers but didn’t repot due to strong rainfall from day 1 july until now.., worried all bout it..

    thank you for column that teaches and inspires me more. I Am dead plant lover, still a beginner truly appreciate the beauty having one or more at home.

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      July 20, 2015 at 4:53 pm

      Yes, jade plants can get pretty big. They grow like shrubs in California! I am a huge plant love too!

      Reply
  10. christel says

    July 12, 2015 at 11:34 am

    Love the jade plant…and every succulent and of course cactus….tropical houseplant get boring done tropical for over 25 years…but succulents I love there strange growth patterns….two of the same kind can grow so different. ….just a comment that I know jade plants absolutely love….lots of air movement…living in the desert they just grow big and beautiful with are very low humidity. …..

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      July 13, 2015 at 5:06 pm

      I’m with you, I love succulents the most too! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your tips.

      Reply
    • Erika Jarden says

      July 13, 2015 at 6:43 pm

      If you’re in the Midwest, shoot me a message. I can take cuttings from my Jade plant and give them to you, if you’re in range. 🙂

      Reply
      • Diane Burgette says

        February 17, 2018 at 10:10 pm

        I would love to have a clipping of your Jade plant. What would you like in return ? I live in Wis. I’m Diane.

  11. Bethany Cousins says

    July 7, 2015 at 9:15 pm

    Thank you for the amazingly detailed post! I would walk halfway across the country right now for a jade cutting or two. I’ve been waiting to buy a jade plant, but have 9 kids and finances aren’t allowing for it. Maybe one day, I’ll join the jade plant club. Til then, I look forward to reading more posts.

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      July 13, 2015 at 4:58 pm

      You’re welcome! 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it and I hope you find a jade plant cutting sometime soon!

      Reply
    • Shirley Darby says

      July 4, 2018 at 6:52 pm

      Bethany Cousins, if you know anyone with a jade plant, ask for a cutting or two. If you live anywhere near Topeka, KS, I would be glad to give you plenty!

      Reply
  12. Jane says

    July 5, 2015 at 8:22 am

    I have a Jade plant given to me that was divided up into three separate plants & given lots of TLC. All three plants were about 2ft tall & very healthy! They were transferred from a nursery to a screened in porch. I don’t know exactly how much sun they got
    But now each one has dropped their leaves!
    I just received one of these & have put it in room
    That gets south afternoon somewhat filtered sun.
    What can I do at this point to maintain my Jade
    Plant so I don’t lose it completely. Thought about a
    Trimming it all back. Pot is fairly small & ceramic.
    I need your help to make certain all three of our plants survive as they have special meaning!

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      July 6, 2015 at 4:43 pm

      First, check the soil and make sure it’s not wet. If the soil is wet, you can pull the plant out of the pot to allow it to dry faster, or just let it dry out before watering again. In the future make sure to allow it to dry out completely between watering (and ensure the pot has a drainage hole in the bottom).

      Also check the base of the plant (near the soil line) and make sure it’s not mushy. If the base of the plant is mushy and rotting, you may still be able to save it by taking cuttings and propagating them (how to propagate jade plants).

      Otherwise, if the stem of the plant is fairly firm and the soil is bone dry, then it probably needs more moisture/humidity. Water it more often and try misting it on a regular basis. One other thing to check for is bugs on the plant, take a close look at the stems and leaf joints to make sure you don’t see any scale, mealy bugs or mites.

      I don’t recommend trimming a plant that’s already stressed out. It’s best to try to figure out why the leaves are dropping before you trim the plant.

      Reply
  13. Erika Jarden says

    June 17, 2015 at 9:01 pm

    Hello! I have a jade plant that seems to have ‘fainted’ for lack of a better term. Instead of growing up it’s just spilling over the sides of the pot. I moved it outside and the leaves are getting red edged, but it’s still sorta flat and not upright. Any ideas on what’s going on?

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      June 18, 2015 at 7:31 am

      Check the main stem to make sure it’s not mushy. If it’s not mushy and the plant seems healthy otherwise, then it might just need a trim to give it some shape. You certainly don’t have to trim it, but if you want to give it a more upright shape then you can. If the stem is mushy and rotting, you can still save the plant by taking cuttings of the healthy, firm branches and propagating them. Here’s how Propagating Jade Plants

      Reply
      • Cindy Tilley says

        March 21, 2017 at 9:09 am

        When taking stem cuttings, because of the problemErika is having, how large of a stem can be used as a cutting. Mine has also grown downward. Now, because I will have to move it back outside, it’s at risk of stem breakage. Can I let any stem dry out and reroot? Also, I would like to put it in a larger pot and I’m sure some of it will break off. Will these stems re root? Thank you! Love your jade insight!

      • Amy Andrychowicz says

        March 24, 2017 at 3:32 pm

        Yes, you can use any sized stem for a cutting – and any pieces that break off your plant when you repot it can be rooted as well. 🙂 The larger the stem, the longer you should allow it to dry out before you trying to root it. Aren’t jade plants awesome!?

  14. Jody Payne says

    January 4, 2015 at 6:56 pm

    Could you please tell me what is the best storage container or “whatever” to keep store bought or home made potting soil in ? I can’t seem to find anything at all that is AIR TIGHT. I bought one of those simple large storage containers from Walmart but every time I checked, there were always all sorts of little critters in there and stuff so this was most definitely NOT AIR TIGHT !. I live in Eastern Coastal Florida in a quite rural subdivision and we have alot of woods, canals, etc., but not alot of neighbors and that’s the way we like it. However, it seems to me that the more wooded area you live in, the more creatures that you have to deal with !! I don’t mind any of them because I’m only referring to spiders, some bugs, frogs (all kinds), lizards which are adorable because I have never seen so many, and I do mean – TEENINEY little lizards. The like to sleep and live in my snake plants. I am having a problem finding something that is truly AIR TIGHT that is not so expensive that I can’t afford it. I have alot of store bought Potting Soil now that I am keeping in the house because of the humidity outside and yes, even in January.

    However, again I’d like to make my own for jade plants, which I also ADORE as you have listed here. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated because either my brain has shut down or I simply just cannot think of anything. All of the “so called” air tight containers that I have bought from Walmart DO NOT KEEP OUT ALL OF THESE LIL CREACH-TURES THAT LIVE AROUND HERE WITH ME !!

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      January 5, 2015 at 4:57 pm

      I use 5 gallon buckets with tight fitting lids to store my potting soil. I reuse the buckets that my cat litter comes in – the big yellow Tidy Cat buckets. See if any of your friends have cats and will give you the buckets. I’m always giving my extra cat litter buckets away on Craigslist, so check your local Craigslist to see if you can find free ones there. Otherwise, you could buy a 5 gallon bucket with a lid from the home improvement store for pretty inexpensive. Hope this helps.

      Amy

      Reply
      • Mary Krietz says

        October 29, 2018 at 7:54 pm

        You can also get a paint bucket with a lid. They will hold a lot of soil & they are airtight

    • Terry Lee says

      May 12, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      It is possible that many of your bugs are hatching from eggs already present in some of the soil you are using. Either way, I purchased a BLACK covered plastic (ABS) Rubbermaid trash container to mix and store my soil in. if you place it in a sunny location, the interior temperature will rise to intolerable levels for any insect to survive in. If you prefer a smaller container, use the advice here and use a 5 gallon pail only paint the exterior black and be sure to place it where it will get some direct sun light. This will definitely eliminate the bug problem.

      Reply
      • Amy Andrychowicz says

        May 14, 2015 at 1:22 pm

        Great advice Terry, thanks for sharing!

    • Janice says

      January 26, 2017 at 10:55 pm

      I would consider buying 5 gallon buckets with the Gamma Seal Lids. These type of seal lids screw on and off and are used in long term storage of dry food that keep the foods air tight and free of bugs.

      Reply
      • Amy Andrychowicz says

        February 1, 2017 at 3:04 pm

        Awesome! Thanks for the recommendation!

  15. Marla says

    September 15, 2014 at 10:20 pm

    We have a 40+ year old jade TREE. We have moved several times and don’t have room in our new house!! It is as big as a chair! We have MANY daughters from this plant, and have given many more away. These plants are profuse! Great tips on care; any tips on Jade Foster homes, or Nursing homes I should say?

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      September 25, 2014 at 8:32 am

      Wow, that’s amazing! How on earth do you move that big heavy thing? I can barely lift my jade plant and it’s not even close to being that huge. You must need a dolly or a forklift or something. 🙂 If I were you, I would try selling it, a jade plant that size would go for a pretty penny. You could also check with local garden centers, they might be willing to take it off your hands. Or, maybe it’s time to build yourself a greenhouse. 😉

      Reply
      • Ralph Starr says

        August 25, 2016 at 6:40 am

        I too have a 40 year old JADE. It out grew being a house plant. I put in my small greenhouse, it got so big it was touching the roof and wider than the doorway. I built an 8 x 10 foot greenhouse just for it. Now has a permanet home and is the star in there. Love jades and have had one all my life. Would be rather sell the car than lose my jade.

      • Amy Andrychowicz says

        August 26, 2016 at 8:35 am

        Wow, that’s awesome!

      • joan difrancisco says

        August 28, 2016 at 3:07 pm

        my jade plant is lousing leaves it has a web I tried to spray with bug spray and wash it with dawn dish det. mixed with water it does not look good is their you could tell me ?

      • Amy Andrychowicz says

        August 31, 2016 at 1:14 pm

        Sorry to hear your jade plant is suffering. You definitely don’t want to use a detergent soap on succulent plants. I’m guessing that’s what caused the damage. The best you can do at this point is to leave it alone and hope it recovers. You could try trimming off a few of the heavily damaged leaves, which might help to encourage new growth – but don’t trim off all the leaves! Hope it will recover for you!

    • April says

      February 3, 2018 at 11:24 am

      40 years?! WOW!
      Would love to see it! Would love to have some.
      Definitely gonna have to go out and get one, or ask around.

      Reply
    • Monica says

      March 21, 2019 at 1:16 am

      Maria, Omg…I would love to have that plant! Is amazing ??? 40 years old? Mine is 1 year old and is just 4 inches tall, lol. I live in Miami ?

      Reply
  16. Anonymous says

    February 17, 2013 at 4:13 pm

    Good site.I just brought a Jade plant red tipped.I have had one before,but really did not know how to care for them I learned alot on this site!!!Thank's again.

    Reply
    • Amy Andrychowicz says

      February 18, 2013 at 8:40 pm

      Thank you for your nice comment. I hope your jade plant will live a long and happy life. 🙂

      Reply
      • Kristen mcmillin says

        June 7, 2017 at 2:12 am

        I believe your other variety of jade the one you call dwarf, may be a baby jade. I have one of those and a wandering jade that has large flat leaves that grow out on arms and a regular old jade. Your plants are beautiful and your advice is awesome. My mom has had her jade plant for over 15 years and it just bloomed last Christmas. It was amazing! We live in the south and her jade gets to live outside during the summer and we’ve never seen or heard of one blooming. I love plants and gardening so very much!

      • Amy Andrychowicz says

        June 13, 2017 at 7:48 pm

        Yes, I call it a baby jade too. 🙂 I’ve never heard of a wandering jade before. Sounds interesting, I’ll have to look that one up. Wow, it’s so cool that your mom’s jade plant bloomed!! So much fun! Thanks for your nice comments about the post too. You made my day!

      • carolyn florence says

        September 8, 2018 at 5:43 pm

        My jade has a fungus on the leaves. Any suggestion?

      • Amy Andrychowicz says

        September 10, 2018 at 9:09 am

        If fungus is growing on the leaves of your jade plant, then that means it’s getting too much moisture. Allow the plant to completely dry out, and never water over the top of the leaves. If possible, move it to a spot where it’s gets better air circulation, and the leaves won’t get wet very often.

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