Crassula ovata (Jade Plant) Indoor Care; Watering, Light, Soil, Propagation, Problems

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Crassula ovata (Jade Plant) thrives in bright light with some sunlight, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Jade Plant is one of the popular succulent plants and can withstand a great deal of neglect and mismanagement, and is easy to grow even for a beginner.

Jade Plant can survive a considerable period of time without water due to the fleshy leaves and stems which store water and allow the plant to go for a considerably long period without being watered. It is among drought-tolerant plants with low water needs.

Crassula ovata also called Crassula argentea is an evergreen, herbaceous Crassula variety with thick branches and thick, shiny and smooth leaves which grow in opposite pairs along the branch.

The leaves are usually yellowish-green but may develop red edges in some varieties when exposed to very bright light. If grown under intense hot sun, the green leaf color will be lost and replaced by yellow color. The yellow color is due to the plant making pigments such as carotenoids to protect itself from harsh sunlight and ultraviolet rays.

Botanical name: Crassula ovata
Synonym: Crassula argentea
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Crassuloideae
Common name: Jade Plant

Origin

Crassula ovata also called Crassula argentea is native to KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa and Mozambique.

Size

Jade Plant grows upright and rounded, and can reach a height of 8 feet. Numerous varieties of Jade Plant have been developed like Hummel's Sunset among others.

Air Cleaning

Crassula ovata produces high levels of oxygen at night. It is a CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plant, these plants harvest Carbon dioxide at night and use it during the day to make their food.

As they make their food, CAM plants store the oxygen they produce in the process and release it at night. This is an adaptation of CAM plants to their drought-prone climate which enables then to survive the harsh climate.

Is Crassula ovata poisonous?

Yes. Crassula ovata is toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. If ingested it can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Keep the plant away from the reach of children and pets.

Where to Buy

Are you looking to add Jade Plants to your plant collection? You may acquire pretty Crassula ovata online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).

How to Care for Crassula ovata Indoors

To properly care for Crassula ovata indoors, provide bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, warmth of 15-26⁰C , humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, succulents soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Jade Plant requires repotting only when pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep the plant neat, to discourage pest and disease infestations and to rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Watering

How often should I water Crassula ovata indoors?

Do not water on a schedule to avoid either underwatering or overwatering as both are detrimental to the plant growth. Crassula ovata is best watered by the 'soak and dry' method as explained below.

Water Crassula ovata liberally in spring and summer until water drips through the drainage hole. Allow the top half of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Take care not to overwater as it can result in rotting, yellowing, leaf drop and a rotten smell.

Significantly decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is slowed at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period to prevent wrinkled leaves, yellowing and leaf loss.

Use room temperature water as consistently watering with cold water can shock this tropical plant, resulting in reduced growth and leaf loss. Avoid wetting the foliage to minimize fungal diseases.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is fast-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot. Always empty the bottom saucer when done watering to prevent soil sogginess.

Light Requirements

Does Crassula ovata need sunlight?

Yes. Crassula ovata needs bright light with about 4-6 hours of morning or afternoon sunlight; place it near a sunny window which receives morning or late afternoon sunshine. Keep it away from hot midday sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.

If the light is not adequate, the plant will grow leggy with weak stems, wide spaces between the leaves and small leaves. Therefore, where the natural lighting is insufficuent, use full spectrum grow lights to increase it.

Give the pot a 90⁰ turn every month, to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and to prevent lopsided growth.

If you choose to grow your Jade Plant outdoors, gradually acclimate it and place it in a shaded place to avoid scorching the leaves.

Temperature & Humidity

Crassula ovata prefers a warmth of 15-26⁰C during the growing season; a temperatures that are comfortable for you are ideal for this succulent.

Keep it away from sources of drafts like windy windows and doors, AC units, hot air vents, radiators, stoves to prevent temperature flactuations which can cause stunted growth, wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.

Jade Plant prospers in a humidity of 50-55%; it has no need for extra humidity. Maintain proper air flow to prevent fungal diseases which are promoted by damp, still air.

Fertilizer

Feed Jade Plant monthly with a balanced, liquid fertilizer in spring and summer for lush growth. Take care not to overfeed as the plant is not a heavy feeder. Do not feed in the dormancy stage (cold season) to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Crassula ovata should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid sogginess. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. A Cactus and succulents mix is ideal as it allows water to drain easily and does not hold excessive amounts of water.

Repotting

Repot Jade Plant at the beginning of the growing season, only when crowded in its current pot. Use a pot that is only one size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent rotting. Select a clay pot as it is porous, therefore, allows the soil to dry out faster and prevents it from staying wet for too long. Take a look at these terracotta pots on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Jade Plant involves removal of dead or diseased leaves to keep it neat and to reduce pest and disease infestations. Cutback the bare stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.

Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and to increase surface area for light absorption. Take care not to damage the fragile leaves.

Crassula ovata Propagation

Jade Plant is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season from offsets, leaf cuttings or stem cuttings.

1. Propagating Jade Plant from offsets

1. Carefully seperate the offset from the mother plant by cutting with a sharp knife while ensuring that the offset has adequate roots.


2. Pot the offset in a pot with a drainage hole, in moist, cactus and succulents soil.


3. Place the pot in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.


4. Maintain the soil moist through out until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

2. Propagating Jade Plant from leaf cuttings

1. Carefully, take leaf cuttings complete with the petiole from a healthy plant.


2. Allow the leaf cutting to dry out (callus) for a few days to prevent rotting.


3. Once calloussed, lay the leaf cuttings on moist, free-draining, rooting mix; ensure that the leaf leaf surface comes into contact with the soil at the midrib.


4. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.


5. Keep the soil moist until when there is new growth from the base of the leaf cuttings.


6. Allow substancial growth before transplanting the new plant after which you can begin routine care.

3. Propagating Jade Plant from stem cuttings

1. Take 3-5 inches long stem cuttings from a healthy plant.


2. Allow the cuttings to dry out (callus) for a few days.


3. Once callused, insert the lower cut end of the stem cuttings in moist, well-drained, rooting soil.


4. Position the set up in a well-lit, warm place away from direct sunlight.


5. Maintain the soil moist until the stem cuttings are rooted. Rooting may take upto 4 weeks.


6. Allow substancial growth before transplanting the new plant after which routine care can begin.

Crassula ovata Problems & Remedies

What are common Crassula ovata problems?

Crassula ovata common problems are falling leaves, yellow leaves, leggy growth, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Falling leaves

Why are my Jade Plant leaves falling off?

Your Jade Plant leaves are falling off due to too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress or aging.

How to fix it

Too little light: Place the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or use a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.

Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top half of soil dries out and never allow the soil ball to dry out completely for a prolonged period.

Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and a fast-draining soil.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, radiators, open doors, drafty windows among others.

Aging: This is a natural process. As the lower leaves mature, they turn yellow, brown and eventually fall off.

Yellow leaves

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Crassula ovata are inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light, drafts or aging.

How to fix it

Inconsistent watering: Water when the top half of soil dries out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period.

Soggy soil: Use fast-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.

Too little light: Position the plant in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight or use a grow light if you do not have enough light in your home.

Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like radiators, hot air vents, AC units, hot surfaces, windy doors and others.

Aging: This is a natural process. As the lower leaves mature, they turn yellow, brown and eventually drop.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth on Crassula ovata is caused by soggy soil or low light.

How to fix it

Soggy soil: Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil drains easily.

Low light: Position the plant in bright light with at 4-6 hours of sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural lighting not sufficient.

Pests

Common pests of Jade Plant are scale insects, mealy bugs and spider mites which are more prevalent in dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the infested plant to reduce spread to other plants.


2. Spray the plant with a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol to get rid of the pests.


3. Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.


4. Keep the plant well pruned to discourage the pest infestations.


5. Group the plants together or set the pot on a wet pebble tray to elevate humidity.

Diseases

Jade Plant is prone to powdery mildew, black leg disease and leaf spot disease which are prevalent in overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to minimize spread to other plants.


2. Treat the affected plant with neem oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.


3. Improve ventilation for the plant and avoid wetting the foliage.


4. Always allow the soil to dry out between waterings.


5. Use a pot with a drainage hole and fast-draining soil to prevent sogginess.

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