Crassula ovata /ˈkɹæs.jʊ.lə oːˈwaː.ta/
Common name: Jade plant · Money plant · Lucky plant
Crassula ovata is an evergreen succulent shrub native to South Africa and Mozambique. It has thick, woody stems and plump, oval, jade-green leaves that often develop red edges in bright sun. Exceptionally long-lived and easy to propagate, it is traditionally kept as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.
Care summary
Sun
Bright light with some direct sun
Water
Water deeply only when soil is fully dry
Soil
Gritty cactus or succulent mix
Hardiness
Zones 10–11
Mature height
Up to 1–1.5 m (3–5 ft) over many years
Pet safe
Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
Extremely easy from leaf or stem cuttings. Twist off a healthy leaf or cut a stem section, let the wound callus for a few days, then lay it on or insert it into dry, gritty soil; roots form within a few weeks, after which you can begin light watering.
Fun facts
- Jade plants can live for decades and are sometimes passed down through generations.
- A single fallen leaf can root and grow into a whole new plant.
- In feng shui it's called the "money tree" and is placed near entrances to attract wealth.
- Mature plants can bloom with clusters of small pink-white star-shaped flowers in winter.