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Jade Plant

Crassula ovata

Also listed as Cotyledon lutea, Cotyledon ovata

Also known as Jadetree, Jade Stonecrop, Kerkybush

shrub☀️ full sun💧 low water❄ Hardy: Zone 11a – Zone 12b

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A succulent shrub with thick, fleshy oval leaves that are green with reddish edges when stressed. It produces delicate pink or white star-shaped flowers in spring and is extremely drought-tolerant once established.

Why grow it

Jade plant offers reliable performance as a low-maintenance ornamental succulent in containers or mild-climate gardens where many tender perennials struggle. Compared to other drought-tolerant shrubs, it tolerates deep shade better than most sedums or echeveria while still flowering, making it useful for interior spaces or shaded patios. Its slow, compact growth habit and modest water and nutrient needs suit resource-limited gardening scenarios.

Watch out for

Jade plant grows slowly and may take several years to reach flowering size, so plan accordingly if seasonal color is a priority. Extended periods of poor drainage or cold temperatures below freezing can cause stem rot, particularly in outdoor settings without protection. Indoor specimens benefit from occasional pruning to maintain shape and prevent legginess, though this delays flowering in the pruned season.

Overview

Form
Rounded
Growth Rate
slow
Size
3–6′ tall × 2–4′ wide
Dormancy
evergreen
Family
Crassulaceae
MedicinalEdible

Native Range

South Africa

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Edible Parts

leaf

Season of Interest

SpringSummer

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Companion Planting

Plants well with