Jade - An Easy Get it and Forget it Houseplant

Jade, also known as Crassula argenea is another easy to care for houseplant. This plant with its fleshy leaves and trunk-like stems prefers to be ignored, the less attention it gets the better. Just place it where it can get about 4 hours of sunlight and forget it.  Watering and repotting are two factors that do not play a big part in the life of this plant. It requires very little water and is very slow growing. So, if you are looking for a beautiful plant that requires very little care, this is a perfect plant for you.


As with any other plant, this plant does have a few requirements to remain healthy and beautiful. These are sunlight, water, temperature, soil type and the care it receives.


The amount of sunlight the Jade plant requires is generally about 4 hours of direct sunlight, but it will also thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight will also cause a change in the color of the leaves of this plant; they will have a red border on them.


Water, the next important factor when caring for these plants, needs to be regulated very closely, as too much water will cause great problems with the plant. Watering should be done when the leaves feel squishy to the touch, which will occur about once a month in the summer and even less during the winter. The soil should be allowed to completely dry before watering. The correct method of watering when it is time, is to saturate the soil completely, then allow the soil to dry out. Over watering can prove to be deadly to a Jade plant. This condition will cause root rot, which usually cannot be corrected. The best thing to do when root rot is found is to take cuttings and propagate the plant.


Jade plants are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, but actually do best in moderate temperatures. If the temperature falls below 55 degrees, the plant will become dormant and the amount of light should be reduced.