The Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) is a resilient succulent shrub and one of the most widely recognized houseplants globally. Originating from the arid rocky hillsides of South Africa and Mozambique, it adapted by storing water in its thick leaves and stems. It is often called the “Money Plant” or “Friendship Plant” due to its ease of propagation and association with good fortune.
The Signature Leaves and Stems
The Jade Plant is defined by its thick, fleshy leaves and stout, succulent stems. The leaves are typically a rich, glossy jade green, giving the plant its name. They are oval or obovate (wider at the tip), often described as spoon-shaped, and measure between one to three inches long. They grow in opposing pairs along the branches, with each pair positioned at a right angle to the pair below it. When exposed to bright light, a reddish or pink margin develops along the leaf edges.
Young stems are thick and succulent, appearing green or reddish-brown. As the plant matures, the stems transition into a woody, gnarled, trunk-like structure. This structure develops gray or brownish bark with horizontal peeling strips, giving older specimens a miniature tree appearance.
Structural Growth and Form
The Jade Plant naturally adopts an upright, rounded, and highly branched shrub-like form. This growth habit, combined with the development of a thick, woody base, makes it a favored subject for bonsai cultivation. Its structural growth is relatively slow, typically gaining only a few inches in height per year.
While plants kept indoors usually remain manageable, reaching heights of 18 to 36 inches, in ideal outdoor climates, the shrub can grow up to six feet tall or more. The branches are robust and thick, growing both outwards and upwards. The plant’s overall architecture is dense and sculptural, with the leaves tending to cluster at the ends of the branchlets.
Common Cultivars and Color Variations
The standard Crassula ovata is the most common form, but many recognized cultivars present variations in leaf shape and color. Distinctive varieties feature leaves that are not the standard oval shape, such as ‘Gollum’ and ‘Hobbit,’ which have trumpet-shaped or tubular leaves with reddish tips. These unique forms offer a highly sculptural look, sometimes referred to as “Ogre’s Ears” or “ET’s fingers.”
Color variations are prominent across cultivars, often intensifying with sun exposure. The ‘Tricolor’ or ‘Variegata’ variety is prized for its foliage patterned with creamy-white and green stripes, which can develop pink or rose-colored edges under bright light. ‘Hummel’s Sunset’ is another example, where the leaves exhibit a blend of yellow, orange, and red tones, creating a vibrant display of color, especially during the winter months.