Jade plant Crassula ovata
Jade plant (Crassula ovata) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Crassulaceae family, native to Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It grows 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) tall and 50 cm–1.2 m (20 in–3.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -1 °C (30 °F). Space plants about 80 cm (31 in) apart.
Plan Jade plant in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Jade plant at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1.5 m (24 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50 cm–1.2 m (20 in–3.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 80 cm (31 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -1 °C (30 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about November for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Jade plant toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: leaves, stems
Toxic principle is unidentified; ingestion causes vomiting, depression and poor coordination in pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Jade plant
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Jade plant in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Huntington (4 plants)
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (2 plants)
- Gardens by the Bay (4 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (3 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (4 plants)
Questions about Jade plant
- How far apart should I plant Jade plant?
- About 80 cm (31 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50 cm–1.2 m (20 in–3.9 ft).
- Does Jade plant need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Jade plant need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Jade plant?
- It tolerates about -1 °C (30 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Jade plant flower?
- From about November for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Jade plant poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Toxic principle is unidentified; ingestion causes vomiting, depression and poor coordination in pets.
- What grows well with Jade plant?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Jade plant. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Frost-tender; grown in pots and brought indoors in cold climates. Flowers in winter after cool nights and short days.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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