The Ultimate Guide to Jade Plant Varieties

Jade plant varieties are no-fuss options for those who are longing for adding a lively lift into their home without the hassle. You will still need some guidance to grow them, though. Keep on reading to find the types and ways to take care of these succulents.

Jade Plant Identification

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Jade plant varieties belong to succulent houseplants, meaning they are not fussy and resilient. In fact, they can thrive well indoors. More importantly, they can live for a long time if maintained properly.

How to identify jade plants is easy as they have thick, woody stems along with oval-shaped leaves that make them look like mini tree trunks.

These plants grow two inches a year until reaching heights of three to six inches. For this reason, they tend to be decorative houseplants.

Jade plants, also called money tree, lucky plant, dollar plant, and friendship plant, are native to South Africa and Mozambique. However, they can adapt and survive in most indoor conditions, which tend to be warm and dry.

If you think that jade plant varieties only live indoors, you will be surprised when knowing that they can also thrive well outdoors. It happens if the area features a mild, dry climate year-round, which is typically zone 10 or warmer.

However, jade plant varieties are receptive to cold damage. Therefore, if you are going to grow them outdoors, put them in containers so that you can easily take them in when the temperature is below 10°C.

Jade plant varieties are toxic to cats and dogs. They can make your pets become lethargic and nauseous.

They are also mildly toxic to humans in that they can cause skin irritation, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Despite being toxic, jade plant varieties can be top-notch housewarming gifts because many people consider them to bring good luck to the owners.

How to Plant Jade Plant Varieties

Jade Plants: How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Jade Plants | The Old Farmer's Almanac

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You can grow jade plant varieties from single leaves or cuttings. First, get rid of a leaf from a well-established plant. You can also take a 2″ stem cutting that has two pairs of leaves at the very least.

Put the cutting in a warm place, and let it to sit for a couple of days. You will find a callous over the cut area, which encourages rooting.

Next, get your flowerpot. It has to be sturdy and have a moderate depth because most jade plant varieties tend to grow top-heavy and fall over.

Fill the pot with slightly moist soil. Make sure it can drain thoroughly. If you are not sure about mixing an all-purpose potting mix with perlite at a 2:1 ratio, using cacti potting mix will be your safe bet.

If you begin with a leaf, lay it on top of the soil horizontally and cover the end with it. Place it upright in the soil in case you prefer to start with a stem cutting. You can use a few small rocks to help it stand on its own.

Put the plant in a warm place that receives bright, indirect light. So that the roots can recover from any damage after settling, you should wait for a week. When it happens, you can begin to water it.

Jade Plant Care

Jade Plant - Money Plant in Small Ceramic Pot

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Like many other succulents, jade plant varieties are hardy. Nevertheless, you still have to take a proper care of them if you want them to thrive well.

Light

Jade Plant Care and Maintenance | HGTV

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Young jade plant varieties are quite fragile. They cannot put up with direct light. Therefore, you should put them in a place with bright, indirect light to prevent leaf scorching.

Once they are established well already, you can put them outside where they can get at least four hours of sunlight each day.

Soil

What Kind of Soil Do Jade Plants Like? | Home Guides | SF Gate

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As stated above, a concoction of an all-purpose potting mix and some perlite in a 2:1 ratio would be great as it can promote drainage. However, you can always use succulent mix, as it is slightly acidic with pH of 6.0.

Water

Jade Plant Care Instructions: How To Care For A Jade Plant

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Jade plant varieties can put up with warm and dry conditions. You had better keep them watered during the growing season, which happens in spring to summer. Remember that the soil needs to fully dry out between watering to prevent them from rotting.

Temperature and Humidity

How to Care for (and Propagate) Your Jade Plant

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These succulents thrive well at average summer temperatures, from 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Jade plant varieties are not frost tolerant. For this reason, kindly bring them inside when the temperature is no more than 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilizer

How to Care for a Jade Plant - Natalie Linda

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To get the best result, feed your jade plant varieties with a controlled-release fertilizer. Do it at beginning of the season. You can also perform this task weekly with a weak liquid solution.

Since young jade plants are fragile, use only a fertilizer with less nitrogen.

Repot the Plants

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Repotting jade plant varieties is necessary, especially during the warm season. Here is how:

  • The soil has to be dry before you repot the plant. After that, gently remove the pot.
  • Clean the roots from the old soil, and remove any dead roots by cutting them. Apply fungicide to the cuts.
  • Move the plant in a new flowerpot. After that, backfill it with potting soil. Do not forget to spread the roots when you repot it.
  • Let the plant dry for a week at the very least.
  • Begin to water the plant lightly to prevent the roots to rot.

Jade Plant Problems

What's wrong with my succulent: 10 common succulent problems

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One of the most common problems that jade plant varieties may experience is overwatering. Just like other succulents, they prefer to grow in a too dry place instead of a too wet one.

Apparently, overwatering is not the only one thing that can lead to rotting roots. The use of soil mix that cannot promote quick drainage is also responsible for this issue.

Although jade plant varieties do not prefer overwatering, it does not mean you can let them become extremely dry because this condition can lead to leaf drop.

Mealybugs are also the common problems found in jade plant varieties. These insects look like white cotton.

You just need to wipe mealybugs off with alcohol and a cotton swab to overcome this problem. Never use insecticidal soap to get rid of these insects because it can wreak havoc on the jade plants.

Jade Plant Varieties

Money Tree, Lucky Plant, Crassula ovata – How to Care - Plantopedia

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You have learned how to plant and take care of them. Now, it is time for you to know which jade plant varieties that suit your style best.

Crassula Arborescens Blue Bird Variegata

My Succulents - In the Valley of Heart's Delight

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This jade plant variety is also known as Blue Bird money plant. Just like most jade plants, it grows slowly, which makes it perfect for indoor decoration.

Besides, its maximum height is about 50 centimeters. If you think it is too tall, try reducing it with containerization.

Another fabulous thing about this variety that distinguishes it from other jade plants is the leaf coloration that comes in aqua, green, cream, and red. It definitely can spruce up your coffee table and draw the eyes instantly.

Crassula Argentea Gollum Variegata

Crassula ovata Gollum variegata | Cacti and succulents, Plants, Succulent terrarium

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This jade plant variety has unique foliage that will look standout in a dark flowerpot. The combination of green, pink, and white makes it a great addition of any seaside garden.

The great thing about this variety is you can tell whether you have provided the required conditions by looking at the foliage. It will change its color if subjected to low nutrition, dryness, and low temperatures.

Crassula Arborescens

Crassula arborescens 'Curly Green' - Ripple Jade (2" Pot) | Little Prince To Go

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This jade plant variety will beef up your living room or bedroom.

Crassula arborescent, also known as Silver Dollar Jade or the Blue Buddha Bush, has striking silvery-blue leaves with attractive burgundy edges.

Like many other jade plants, this variety grows slowly until it reaches 60 centimeters or less. Nevertheless, if you want a little thing to decorate your nightstand or coffee table, you can restrict the height through containerization.

This variety produces beautiful flowers that grow from the tips. They usually appear during the autumn-winter period, and are long lasting.

Crassula Arborescens Undulatifolia

Crassula arborescens ssp. undulatifolia

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The Undulatifolia is the waviest jade plant varieties. For the very first time, it was observed in 1974. It was introduced into the market place not long after that. Surprisingly, many people like it.

The waxy blue-green foliage is the main charm of this jade plant variety. If you are lucky, you can see its beautiful white star-shaped blossoms, which rarely grow, in late winter

If you give it some room to grow, this Ripple Jade Plant will form a dense shrub that reaches 3′ tall. When it happens, you can try pruning it, which will give you a tree-like bonsai appearance.

This variety is not a hybrid. Therefore, it is extremely strong and requires low maintenance. You can even propagate it easily from cuttings.

Crassula Argentea Gollum

Health and High Quality Crassula Ovata 'Gollum' For Sale

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The Crassula agentea Gollum is renowned for its unique shapes that resemble protruding fingers. That is people also know it as Lady Fingers.

This variety has glossy cylindrical green leaves with red tips, which bloom during the autumn-winter months. You will also find pinkish white flowers.

Crassula Ovata

Crassula | Ovata | Druce | Gardenshop | Jade | Plant

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This one is the most common and most popular jade plant varieties. In fact, it is considered the first and the original.

The Crassula ovata, also known as the money tree, the friendship plant, and the Lucky Jade is eminently hardy. It is also the fastest growing variety among the Ovata cultivars.

Just like all Jade Plants, it has pinkish white flowers appearing on the tips during winter. This variety is suitable for outdoor purposes as its height can extend to more than 2 meters.

Crassula Ovata Harbor Lights

Crassula Ovata 'Harbour Lights', Crassula 'Harbour Lights' in GardenTags plant encyclopedia

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The red color of this variety is quite conspicuous, which makes it easily recognizable and becomes a renowned houseplant.

The small leaves of the Harbor Lights turn to be extremely red during winter, which makes it look fabulous.

Besides the alluring red leaves, this jade plant variety also has beautiful pinkish white flowers that appear during the autumn to the early winter.

Crassula Ovata Botany Bay

Crassula Ovata 'Botany Bay' Rare Jade Plant 14" Tall 2 Years Old #2 for sale online

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The Crassula ovata Botany Bay was first introduced into the market in 2011. This bushy plant can form various kinds of shapes easily if you keep it in a pot.

You will be likely to find red-blush foliage during dry conditions, especially in winter. It does not grow fast as it can reach the height of 1 meter over five years if you provide ideal conditions for it to thrive.

Crassula Ovata Hobbit

Crassula ovata 'Hobbit' Jade | Crassula ovata, Succulents, Jade plants

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As the name suggests, this Jade plant variety is rather small just like the hobbit in Lord of the Rings. It grows for less than 30 centimeters.

Just like many other jade plants, it has red tips and pinkish white flowers that bloom in early winter.

Crassula Ovata Hummel’s Sunset

Crassula ovata "Hummel's Sunset" - Kambroo Plants

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Are you looking for a no-fuss centerpiece for your dinner table or shelf? Crassula ovata Hummel’s sunset would be in your list.

This variety features thick bonsai styled trunk with striking foliage colors that comes in green, gold, and red. They seem to be darker in winter.

Crassula Ovata Little Jade Tree

Gardening 101: Jade Plant - Gardenista

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This variety is also known as Little Jade Tree because the breed is young and small. For your information, it was first introduced into the market in 2015. The one who found it was Jan Morgan.

Little Jade Tree is pretty small and compact. It can reach 40 centimeters. It can be a perfect wedding gift or a party favor for this reason. You are also able to find it in a small dish garden.

Crassula Ovata Pink

Crassula ovata - Cacti.com | Crassula ovata, Blooming succulents, Jade plants

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If you are looking for some fragrant and gorgeous flowers that will not give you the hassle, try this jade plant variety.

This Crassula ovata has a bushy figure and many pink star-shaped flowers that bloom every year. As a bonus, the foliage comes in a red blush throughout the year under very dry conditions.

During early winter and late autumn, the small pink flowers begin to appear on the tips of this Crassula ovata, which soon fill the exterior of this plant.

This jade plant variety is not that tall. Its maximum height is no larger than 1 meter, which can be reached over five years.

Crassula Ovata Minima

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This is another great option for a wedding gift or party favor as well as a tabletop decoration due to its small figure.

Crassula ovata minima are also referred to as the Miniature Jade or the Baby Jade. Although it is small, it is quite different from the Little Jade Tree since the tips usually huddle together and branch out, forming a bushy appearance that covers a small container.

This variety grows up to a height of 60 centimeters with pink and white flowers that bloom in the winter. It will definitely make a great decorative houseplant.

Portulacaria Afra

Portulacaria afra 'Red Stem' - Elephant Bush (2" Pot) | Little Prince To Go

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This variety is also known as the Chinese jade Plant and the Pork Bush. It has attractive and decorative features, making it a great houseplant for both indoors and outdoors.

It can reach 2 meters tall, but you do not need to worry. You can still have it embellish your indoor garden by trimming and shaping it.

As a type of succulent, it can put up with long drought and heat waves. Unfortunately, it does not produce any flowers during cultivations.

Portulacaria Afra Aurea

Portulacaria afra 'Aurea' | Debra Lee Baldwin

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The Afra Aurea is also known as Yellow Rainbow Bush or Yellow Elephant’s food. The unique thing about this variety is it tends to change color throughout the growth.

Several factors influence the shades of this jade plant variety, one of which is the amount of water and the fertilizer it gets to grow.

Unlike many other jade plant varieties, the Afra Aurea hardly shows the whitish pink flowers. Fortunately, it can thrive well in full sunlight and partly shaded areas.

Portulacaria Afra Cascade

Amazon.com : 'Elephant Bush' Succulent/4" Pot/Live Home and Garden Plant/Free Care Guide : Garden & Outdoor

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Amp up your bland retaining wall with this cascading Portulacaria afra cascade.

This variety is also known as the Low Elephant Bush, the Prostrata, or the Trailing Elephant Bush. It has maroon stems that are covered with rounded, thick leaves.

Do not hope to see beautiful flowers from this plant, as it will not produce any. However, it is quite handy when it comes to jazzing up a retaining wall as it can grow up to 1 meter.

Portulacaria Afra Large Leaf

Portulacaria afra, better known as Spekboom | nowathome

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This is also one of the most common jade plant varieties, which you may come across. It is called Green Penny Jade or the Large Leaf. It has rounded fleshy leaves that can grow up to 2 meters. As always, you can control its growth by trimming it.

Portulacaria Variegata

Photo of the bloom of Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) posted by Baja_Costero - Garden.org

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This variety is also known as the Rainbow Bush. This type of succulent shrubs features creamy leaves and a light green stripe at the center. You can see a little bit magenta on the edges of the leaves all year round.

Jade plant varieties are your greatest bet when it comes to decorating your home with nature without breaking a sweat. Just keep in mind that you must not let them sit in a lot of water, or they will rot.

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