How to Look After a Jade Plant

The jade plant (Crassula ovate) can grow up to 5 feet tall. The plants are native to southern Africa. Many varieties of the jade plant exist. The plants are often referred to as the dollar tree, jade tree and money plant, depending on the variety. Each variety requires the same basic care to keep the plant healthy. People commonly grow the plants indoors. Jade plants do not tolerate frost well, and they have attractive foliage.

Things You'll Need

• 10-20-10 fertilizer
• Growing pot
• Course sand
• Potting mixture
• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Place the jade plant in a bright location. The plants will not tolerate excessive heat. Place them close to a window with adequate sunlight, such as a south-facing window.

2. Allow the soil to dry before you water the plant. The plant needs to be watered every other week, but always check the soil before you water it to ensure that it feels dry. Stick to a watering schedule for best results. Water the jade plant less during the winter.

3. Maintain an indoor temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit indoors during the daytime and 50 to 55 F at night. Protect the plant from drafts during the winter and avoid allowing the foliage to touch the window glass.

4. Add a fertilizer to the jade plant throughout the growing season of April to October. Apply a high phosphorous fertilizer, such as 10-20-20, every three months. Feed the jade plant according to the fertilizer directions. Stop fertilizing the jade plant during the winter dormant period.

5. Transplant the jade plant when it becomes top heavy and older. Select a pot with drainage holes and combine 1 part of coarse sand with 1 part of potting mix. Remove the plant from its old container and shake off the soil. Plant it at the previous soil level and pack the soil down firmly to remove air pockets.

6. Prune the jade plant to control the growth and shape it. Prune the plant with sharp shears and cut it back to the lateral branch. Throw away the clippings or place them in a compost pile.

References

• Penn State University; The Jade Plant; Katie Sanford
• North Dakota State University; Questions on Jade Plants; Ron Smith
• Purdue University; Indoor Plant Care; B. Rosie Lerner; May 2001
• Clemson University Cooperative Extension; Jade Plant; Karen Russ, et al.; March 1999