A jade plant grows the way an old oak does, only smaller and slower. Its thick, coin round leaves store water for dry spells, its trunk turns woody and gray with age, and with a sunny window and a light hand on the watering can it can stay with you for decades. Many jades living on windowsills today were cuttings passed from a parent or grandparent. Here is how to give yours that kind of long, quiet life.
Jade plant care at a glance
| Light | As much as you can give it. At least four hours of direct sun, ideally a south or west window. |
| Water | Soak, drain, then wait until the soil is dry all the way through. Roughly every two to three weeks in summer, monthly in winter. |
| Soil | Gritty and fast draining. Cactus and succulent mix with extra perlite or pumice. |
| Pot | Drainage hole required. A heavy, wide pot keeps a top heavy jade from tipping. |
| Temperature | 65 to 80°F by day, cooler nights welcome. Keep it above 50°F. |
| Humidity | Dry home air is perfect. |
| Feeding | A diluted succulent fertilizer a few times in spring and summer. None in fall and winter. |
| Pets | Listed as toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. Keep it out of reach. |
| Care level | Easy going. It would rather be forgotten than fussed over. |
Light: give it the sunniest spot you have
Jade comes from the sunny hillsides of South Africa, and light is the single biggest thing that shapes it. In a bright south or west window it grows compact and sturdy, with tight clusters of glossy leaves. In dim light it stretches toward the glass, spacing its leaves far apart on thin stems that bend and flop.
A little red along the leaf edges is a good sign. It means the plant is soaking up plenty of sun and blushing to protect itself. If your home is short on sun, a simple grow light set a foot or so above the plant for twelve hours a day works well. Our houseplant light guide helps you read each room.
Moving a jade from a shady spot into strong sun all at once can scorch the leaves with pale or brown patches. Shift it a little closer to the window each week for two or three weeks and it adjusts beautifully.
Watering: soak, then let it rest
More jades are lost to kindness than neglect. Those plump leaves are water tanks, and the roots rot quickly if they sit in damp soil.
- Wait for dry soil: push a finger or a wooden chopstick deep into the pot. If any moisture clings to it, wait a few more days.
- Watch the leaves: firm, glossy leaves mean it is content. Slightly soft or wrinkled leaves mean it is ready for a drink.
- Water deeply: pour until water runs from the drainage hole, then let it drain completely and empty the saucer.
- Slow down in winter: growth pauses in the shorter days, and once a month or less is usually plenty.
Soft, translucent or mushy leaves, or a stem that feels squishy near the soil, mean too much water. Our root rot guide walks you through a rescue.
Soil and pot
Use a cactus and succulent mix, and stir in an extra handful of perlite or pumice so water rushes through. Regular potting soil holds too much moisture for jade. Our potting soil guide explains each ingredient.
A jade grows top heavy as its trunk and branches thicken, so a sturdy, wide based planter is worth choosing. Terracotta and ceramic both work well, and terracotta dries out a little faster, which jade loves. Pick one with a drainage hole and an opening only an inch or two wider than the nursery pot. Our pot size and drainage guide helps with fit. Jade is happy a bit snug, so repot only every two to four years in spring with our repotting guide, and wait about a week before watering after a repot so any broken roots can heal.
Shaping a little tree
Pruning is how a jade goes from a few upright stems to a full, branching tree. In spring or early summer, snip a stem just above a pair of leaves. Two new branches usually sprout from that spot, doubling the canopy over time. Remove stems that cross or lean too far, and step back often to look at the shape. With a few years of patient trimming, the trunk thickens and the plant starts to look like a bonsai that took care of itself.
Propagating jade
Jade is one of the easiest plants to share. Take a stem cutting three or four inches long, or gently twist off a single healthy leaf. Set it somewhere dry and shaded for a few days until the cut end seals over. Then rest it on, or press it lightly into, dry succulent mix and mist the surface every few days. Roots usually appear in a few weeks, and a leaf will slowly grow a tiny new plant at its base. Cuttings make lovely gifts, which is how so many family jades end up spread across generations.
Will my jade flower?
Mature jades can cover themselves in small, starry white or pale pink flowers in late fall and winter. To encourage them, give the plant full sun all year, then in fall let it experience cooler nights around 50 to 55°F, longer stretches of darkness, and very little water. Older, slightly root bound plants bloom most readily.
Reading the leaves
| What you see | Most likely cause | What to do |
| Wrinkled, thin or soft leaves | Thirsty | Soak thoroughly and let it drain |
| Mushy, translucent or yellow leaves | Too much water | Let it dry out fully, check the roots, refresh with gritty soil |
| Long, stretched stems with gaps between leaves | Too little light | Move to a sunnier window, prune leggy stems in spring |
| Leaves dropping suddenly | Overwatering, a cold draft, or a sudden move | Check the soil first, keep it warm and settled |
| Red edges on leaves | Plenty of sun or cool nights | Harmless and pretty. Nothing needed |
| Brown, crispy patches | Sunburn after a sudden move | Ease it into strong light over a few weeks |
| White cottony clusters where leaves meet stems | Mealybugs | Dab with a cotton swab and rubbing alcohol, repeat weekly |
Our guide to helping a shipped houseplant adjust covers the first few weeks at home.
Quick answers
How often should I water a jade plant? Only when the soil is completely dry, usually every two to three weeks in summer and about once a month in winter.
Why is my jade plant dropping leaves? Most often from too much water, though a cold draft or a sudden change of spot can do it too. Check that the soil dries out between drinks.
Can a jade plant live outside? In summer, yes, once nights stay above 50°F. Ease it into full sun gradually and bring it in before the first cold night.
How long do jade plants live? With good light and careful watering, many live for decades and become family heirlooms.
Is jade safe for cats and dogs? No. The ASPCA lists jade as toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it on a high shelf or in a room pets do not visit.
Is jade really a money plant? In feng shui and many family traditions, jade is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity, often placed near an entryway or given as a housewarming or new business gift.
Bring one home
Our Jade Plant arrives in its nursery pot, ready for a sunny sill. Pair it with a sturdy home from our planters with drainage and saucers, or browse all our planters for one that will grow old alongside it.
More guides from Planty Things
And if your jade ever looks unsure of itself, send a photo to mike@plantylove.co. We are always happy to help.