The jade plant, formally known as Crassula ovata, is one of the most recognizable and enduring succulent houseplants cultivated worldwide. This plant is characterized by its thick, fleshy leaves and ability to develop a stout, tree-like trunk over many years. While the standard form is ubiquitous in homes and gardens, the species has been selectively bred to produce a surprising array of cultivars. These varieties offer a spectrum of unique leaf shapes, colors, and growth habits.
The Core Jade Plant and Its Common Cultivars
The foundational form of the jade plant, Crassula ovata, is an upright, branching succulent shrub that can grow several feet tall. Its leaves are typically glossy jade green, oval or obovate, and arranged in opposite pairs along the thick stems. As the plant matures, the stems harden and brown, giving the appearance of a woody trunk, which is why it is often trained as a miniature tree or bonsai.
Beyond this classic structure are cultivars that feature distinct leaf mutations, collectively known as the “Tolkien Group.” The ‘Gollum’ jade is recognizable for its tubular, finger-like leaves that are fused together, ending in a slightly concave tip resembling a trumpet. These leaves are green but often develop a reddish tinge at their tips when exposed to strong sunlight.
A closely related form is the ‘Hobbit’ jade, which shares the tubular structure but features leaves that are more open and spoon-shaped, with margins curling backward toward the stem. The ‘Ogre Ears’ variety is similar to ‘Gollum,’ often featuring slightly flared tips that intensify in red coloration with sun exposure. These sculptural types offer a high-contrast texture compared to the smooth, flat leaves of the standard jade plant.
Another significant variation is the ‘Undulata’ cultivar, sometimes sold as ‘Curly Jade’ or ‘Ripple Jade’. This form is distinguished by its unique foliage, where the normally flat leaf margins are ruffled and wavy, creating a ripple effect. This genetic trait results in a more compact and textured appearance, with the blue-green leaves often developing fine reddish edges under cooler or brighter conditions.
Specialized Dwarf and Variegated Varieties
The diversity in the jade plant family includes cultivars that exhibit dwarfism or color variations like variegation and stress coloring. Dwarf varieties are prized for their naturally compact growth habit and smaller leaf size. One popular dwarf form is Crassula ovata ‘Minima’, which features miniature, rounded leaves and a dense, bushy structure, making it ideal for small container gardens.
A closely associated dwarf plant, ‘Crosby’s Compact’, also called ‘Crosby’s Dwarf’, is a small form particularly responsive to light and temperature stress. When grown in bright light or exposed to cooler nighttime temperatures, its small, thick, rounded leaves develop intense coloration, flushing with shades of red, orange, and yellow. This dramatic color shift is a result of the plant producing protective pigments in response to environmental conditions.
Variegated types introduce a blend of colors directly into the foliage, such as the cultivar ‘Tricolor’, sometimes marketed as ‘Lemon & Lime’. This plant features the standard oval leaf shape but with vibrant streaks of creamy white or pale yellow mixed with the green base color. When placed in strong sunlight, the edges of the variegated leaves will also develop a delicate pink margin, fulfilling the “tricolor” description.
Another highly sought-after cultivar is ‘Hummel’s Sunset’, known for its spectacular stress coloring. While its leaves are structurally similar to the standard jade, they turn a brilliant golden-yellow color with fiery red edges and tips when exposed to full sun and cooler temperatures. This cultivar’s ability to transition from green to a vibrant mix of gold and crimson makes it visually stunning.
Distinguishing True Jade Cultivars from Related Crassula Species
The total count of jade plant types is often inflated by the inclusion of plants belonging to entirely different species. Crassula ovata is just one species within the larger Crassula genus, which contains hundreds of succulent plants, many of which are also colloquially called “jade plants.”
One species commonly mistaken for a jade plant is Crassula arborescens, often sold as the true ‘Silver Dollar Jade’. This plant can be distinguished by its distinctly rounded, almost spherical leaves that are a waxy, blue-gray color. The foliage of C. arborescens is also covered in a fine, powdery coating known as a farina, which is absent on the glossy leaves of C. ovata cultivars.
Another frequent case of mistaken identity involves the Elephant Bush, Portulacaria afra, which is not a Crassula species but belongs to a different plant family. This plant is often sold as ‘Dwarf Jade’ or ‘Mini Jade’ because of its similar growth habit and small, oval, fleshy green leaves. However, the Elephant Bush has thinner, more rubbery stems that are reddish-brown. The true jade plant develops thick, woody stems that are prone to snapping, a feature absent in the flexible stems of Portulacaria afra.