These Jade Plant Care Tips Will Keep Your Succulent Healthy for Decades (Really!)

If you want a sturdy houseplant that doesn’t need to be babied, a jade plant is perfect for you! Jade plants (Crassula ovata) are easy to grow, and they’re completely adorable. Jade plants look like tiny trees with thick woody trunks and shiny fat leaves. In fact, they’re often used for bonsai.

Speaking of which, a jade plant can live for decades with proper jade plant care. Native to South Africa, these succulents store water in their leaves, stems, and roots, so they don’t need to be watered that often. That’s another reason it’s such a great low-maintenance houseplant.

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In its native environment, a jade plant grows into a rounded evergreen shrub that can be three to six feet tall. They can be grown outdoors in frost-free areas such as USDA Hardiness zones 10 and 11.

Indoors, it’s a slow grower, so the size you buy is the size you’ll have for years. Jade plants also don’t mind being root bound, so you don’t have to repot them that often, maybe every three to four years.

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There are several different common varieties of jade plants available, including types with bronze or variegated foliage or even types with interesting wavy or tubular-shaped leaves. No matter which one you grow, you’ll find that these plants make a handsome and carefree addition to your houseplant collection.

Here’s what you need to know about jade plant care to ensure yours thrives for decades.

How Do You Care for a Jade Plant Indoors?

Jade plants grow in hot, sunny environments, so they like lots of bright light. Set them in an east-, south-, or west-facing window. They prefer at least four hours of direct sunlight. If your room is dark or you don’t have a sunny window, use an LED grow light. Be sure to rotate your jade plant every so often to help it grow straight and even. Otherwise, it’ll reach toward the sun and may become lopsided.

The most important thing to remember is that you should water this plant sparingly. Jade plants prefer to become mostly dry in between waterings. The surest way to kill a jade plant is to overwater it!

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Jade plants usually only need water every 10 days to two weeks. But poke your finger in the soil to be sure. If soil sticks to it, it’s not time for water yet. Check again in a few days, then give it a good, long drink. Dump out any standing water in the saucer beneath the pot. You’ll know you overdid and need to cut back on watering if the stems start to become mushy or the plant starts to drop leaves.

How Do You Propagate a Jade Plant?

It’s super easy! Simply cut off a small piece, let it dry out and callous over for a few days (so it doesn’t rot), then push the cut end into a pot of damp potting soil. Cuttings tend to root more easily in the summertime, but they’ll work any time of year. Keep the soil slightly moist as the cutting roots, which can take a few weeks.

Do Jade Plants Bloom?

Jade plants rarely bloom indoors, but when they do you’ll see an abundance of tiny pinkish-white flowers with a sweet scent. Jade blooms in response to long nights, so if you want to encourage flowering, withhold water and keep your plant in a cool, dark place (around 55 degrees) starting in the fall. Much like with a holiday cactus, this period of darkness should trigger blooms.

Are Jade Plants Toxic to Pets?

Unfortunately, according to the ASPCA, jade plants are toxic to cats and dogs and may cause vomiting, depression, and incoordination if ingested. If you have a nibbler, be sure to keep these plants out of their reach. And if you suspect your pet has ingested any—even if you’re not sure—call your vet ASAP. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Source: https://gardencourte.com
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