Variegated jade plant is a subtropical, broadleaf evergreen, multi-stemmed, erect, succulent, perennial shrub in the Crassulaceae (stonecrop) family that is native to South Africa and grown as a houseplant in North Carolina. The species name ovata means egg-shaped, referring to the thick, fleshy leaves. Jade plant has a small root system and therefore does not need a large pot. It does require a well-drained, loamy potting soil and an indoor location that receives bright light and average to cool temperatures. It is intolerant of humidity so be careful not to overwater. The plant can develop root rot in poorly drained soil. Propagation is easily achieved by leaf or stem cutting. As noted above, the jade plant is best suited to being container grown for indoor landscapes. Though it does not usually bloom in home environments, this cultivar’s green and white variegated leaves offer ornamental value. Given ideal conditions, the jade plant can grow 1 to 4 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. Quick ID Hints: Leaves are oval, succulent, and entire Leaves are green with white variegation Stems are branched and thick with prominent stipular scars Leaves have scattered sunken stomata Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Jade plant is problematic to cats and dogs. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Crassula ovata .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry | Very Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet; 3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Variegated; White
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Cuneate; Obovate; Obtuse; Orbicular
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Fleshy; Glossy
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The 1 to 3½ inches long and ¾ to 1½ inches wide oval leaves are thick, fleshy, and shiny. They are variegated with a mix of green and white patches. The leaves have scattered sunken stomata, no stem, and tend to be clustered at the ends of the branches.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Cyme
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
This plant rarely blooms as a houseplant but can form a 2-3 branched terminal cyme with abundant white flowers tinged with pink. They have 4-5 petals that are fused at the base and purple anthers. Flower buds have pink sepals.
Fruit color
Insignificant
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Pollinated flowers produce a small capsule filled with seed.
Bark color
Dark Brown; Light Brown; Light Gray
Bark detail
The bark is woody, peeling with distinct rings called stipular scars.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver; Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Branched, fleshy, and thick with distinct rings around the stem. New growth is green or reddish-brown while older growth has a more grey color. Stays a similar diameter the entire length of the stem.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
South Africa
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Garden tags
#houseplant #problem for dogs #succulent #drought tolerant #problem for cats #tropical feel #broadleaf evergreen #shrub #interiorscape #pink flowers #problem for horses #evergreen #container plant #hsc-s #hsc #fleshy leaves #perennial
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses