Jade Plant

Under some conditions it may bloom in late autumn into winter, bearing tiny pinkish-purple or white 5-petaled flowers.

As a houseplant, it can grow to about four feet. Outdoors in warm climates, it can grow to over ten feet tall.

It is a slow grower, however, and flowering usually happens as the plant gets older. It is an easy-care plant, requiring minimal care, adding a tree-like shape to a grouping of houseplants.

Growing Conditions

Jade plants do well in an average potting soil. Add some sand for better drainage.

It thrives in bright light, with three to five hours of direct sunlight daily. Insufficient lighting will cause the stems to become spindly.

As with all succulents, overwatering is a common problem. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, and avoid too much humidity.

The leaves will remain plump with sufficient watering and will wrinkle if not receiving enough water. Don't let the pot sit in water, as this can cause root rot.

Fertilize every two weeks and only during the spring and summer to prevent the plant from becoming leggy and top heavy. In late fall the plant will go dormant and should be allowed to dry out until spring.

Mites and mealy bugs are common pests for the jade plant, and both can be eradicated by spraying daily with soapy water. Or wipe the tops and undersides of the leaves with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol.

Pesticides specifically for houseplants can be used if these methods fail.

The plant will grow slowly for several years and then will need to be repotted to a larger pot.

Repotting may only be needed every two to three years, in order to replenish soil. If you summer your plant outdoors, acclimate it slowly to hot, outdoor sunlight.

Propagating

It's easy to propagate jade plants by taking cuttings. Cut a healthy branch about three to four inches long. Let the cutting dry out in a warm place for about a week until a callous forms over the cut end.

Put some rooting hormone on the cut end and plant in a potting mix of one part vermiculite or perlite and one part soil. Dampen the plant and keep watering sparingly until the cutting roots.

Keep this baby plant at 70 to 75 degrees and do not fertilize until it has grown into an established plant.

On a small plant, you can also root the leaves. Select a healthy leaf, not one that has fallen off from dryness or overwatering.

Lay the leaf down on the top of the potting mix and water it sparingly. The leaf will send out roots and tiny plantlets will start to grow where it touches the soil.

This can take from two weeks to two months, so be patient. Once these plantlets are a few inches in height, they can be repotted. Keep them warm and don't fertilize until the plant has grown.

Jade plants have such a unique appearance, resembling little potted trees, that you'll want at least one in your home. And propagating them is so easy, with a little patience you can have more.