The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a popular, slow-growing succulent prized for its miniature, tree-like appearance and thick, glossy foliage. While often grown indoors, this resilient plant can thrive outside during warmer months, or year-round in suitable climates, provided its needs for light, drainage, and temperature protection are met. Successfully cultivating the plant outdoors requires specific adjustments to its care routine to account for the more intense environmental conditions.
Proper Placement and Acclimation
Selecting the correct outdoor location is the first step, as the jade plant requires ample light but protection from harsh sun. The plant benefits most from a spot that receives four to six hours of bright light, with morning sun being the most beneficial. Intensely hot, direct midday or afternoon sun can easily scorch the fleshy leaves, leading to brown or red patches. An ideal location is often an east-facing area that provides direct morning light followed by protective afternoon shade.
Moving the plant from a stable indoor environment to the outdoors must be done gradually through hardening off. Sudden exposure to full sun and wind can shock the plant and cause significant leaf burn. Begin by placing the jade plant in a fully shaded outdoor area for a few hours each day during the first week. Over one to two weeks, gradually increase the duration and intensity of light exposure, moving the plant toward its final, brighter location.
Soil Composition, Watering, and Feeding
Outdoor jade plants require a substrate with excellent drainage to prevent root rot, a common issue for succulents, particularly in pots exposed to rainfall. Traditional all-purpose potting soil retains too much moisture and should be avoided in favor of a commercial cactus or succulent mix. If mixing a custom substrate, incorporate coarse materials like perlite, pumice, or coarse sand to ensure a loose, gritty texture that allows water to pass through quickly.
The frequency of watering outdoors will be higher than indoors due to increased heat and air circulation, but the soil must still be allowed to dry completely between waterings. Before watering, check the soil moisture by inserting a finger about two inches down; if any moisture is detected, hold off. When watering, do so thoroughly until water flows freely from the drainage holes, then allow the soil to dry out fully before the next application.
Jade plants are not heavy feeders, but they benefit from a light application of fertilizer during their active growing period in spring and summer. Use a balanced fertilizer formulated for succulents or a diluted all-purpose liquid fertilizer. Fertilization is typically applied once or twice during the growing season (e.g., early spring and mid-summer), and should be avoided entirely during the dormant period in fall and winter.
Protecting the Jade Plant from Seasonal Threats
The jade plant’s survival outdoors depends heavily on protection from temperature extremes, especially cold. As a tropical succulent, Crassula ovata is highly susceptible to cold damage and is not frost-hardy. The plant should be brought indoors or provided significant protection when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C), as prolonged exposure can be harmful.
If a sudden, brief cold snap is predicted, potted plants can be moved to a sheltered area close to a building wall, which retains heat better than open air. Covering the plant with a frost cloth or a breathable sheet can provide a few degrees of protection. Plastic should be avoided as it traps moisture and conducts cold to the leaves. Since frost damage occurs when water stored in the leaves freezes and ruptures cell walls, keeping the soil drier during colder periods is a preventative measure.
Extreme summer heat can also stress the jade plant, particularly when combined with intense sun exposure, leading to leaf scorch. During heatwaves exceeding 90°F (32°C), providing temporary shade or moving the container to a cooler, partially shaded location will mitigate heat stress. Outdoor plants are also exposed to common pests like mealybugs, aphids, and scale insects, which should be monitored regularly. Small infestations can be managed by knocking pests off with a strong stream of water, while scale and mealybugs can be spot-treated by wiping them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.