Crassula ovata aka Jade Plant

Crassula ovata, or jade plant, is a shrub that stays green year-round. It is a succulent, with thick leaves that store water. It belongs to Crassulaceae, the stonecrop family. It is native to South Africa and southern Mozambique. It grows on rocky slopes and among shrubs. It also grows in ravines that offer shelter. Gardeners grow it indoors and outside in warm climates. Old plants look like small trees with thick trunks. Growth is slow, though some sources call it medium.

Indoor plants often reach 1.5–2.5 feet [0.46–0.76 metres] tall. Larger plants in gardens reach 3–6 feet [0.91–1.83 metres]. RHS gives a top height of 8.2 feet [2.5 metres]. LLIFLE notes extremes near 9.8 feet [3 metres]. Sources give a spread of 2–5 feet [0.61–1.5 metres]. Thick branches bear fleshy leaves with a glossy sheen. The leaves grow in pairs, each across from the other. They are oval or spoon-shaped and have smooth edges. Sun can turn the edges of green leaves red. Young stems are green or reddish brown. Old stems turn grey. Woody bark peels, showing rings left by old leaves.

Small flowers shaped like stars grow in groups at branch tips. Their petals range from white to pale pink. Sources give bloom times from midwinter through spring. RHS also notes blooms in late summer. Plants rarely bloom indoors and may lack flowers for years. Bees, flies, and beetles visit the blooms. Wasps and butterflies visit them too. Flowers form small seed capsules once they receive pollen. Wind carries the tiny seeds away. Fallen leaves can take root and grow into new plants.

Give jade plants bright light and some shade from afternoon sun. Grow them in loamy potting soil that drains well. They cope with dry air and drought but dislike soggy soil. Let the soil dry before you water again. Give less water from fall through late winter. RHS rates the plant H2; it needs protection from frost. Missouri Botanical Garden lists USDA zones 11–12. Grow it in pots or borders in warm climates. It also suits planting as a stand-alone feature. Its thick trunk and branches suit bonsai too. You do not need to prune it as routine care.

Too much water can cause root rot and leaf loss. Most sources report few serious problems with disease or insects. Check for mealybugs, aphids, and scale. Watch for spider mites and vine weevils too. Jade plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. ASPCA lists vomiting and depression as signs after eating it. Poor coordination is another sign. The cause of these signs remains unknown. The supplied sources do not show that humans can safely eat it.