20 Different Types of Jade Plants to Choose From
The jade plants have been regarded as good luck plants by many garden enthusiasts. For the most part, jade plants are easy to maintain and make a great housewarming gift for that new neighbor on the block. Going in alphabetical order, here is a list of those plants and their features;
1. Crassula Arborescens
Otherwise known as the Silver Jade, this highly forgiving plant is perfect for beginners as there is very little maintenance required to keep up with its needs. As long as it gets plenty of sun with little shade and the growing zone is between 9 to 12, it should be fine. There’s no need to trim to keep this jade plant healthy and its stubby trunk featuring the greyish-green leaves can bring forth dark pink or white flowers during the spring and summer months. The plant’s red edges have been known to become darker when it receives full sun exposure. The Crassula Arborescens doesn’t require much water either as it can do well in poor soil conditions and is able to survive periods of drought.
2. Crassula Capitella
From lime green to bright red during cooler months, the Crassula Capitella specimens of a jade plant make a perfect addition to a butterfly garden. Better off as an outdoor plant underneath the sun in the zones of 9 to 12, both the birds and the bees are highly attracted to its three feet wide, one-foot tall frame. Misting this particular jade plant on a regular basis without soaking it will help keep it vibrant and healthy. Adding a slow-release fertilizer once a year during the spring helps this plant produce red or white flowers annually.
3. Crassula Cultrata
Also known as Blush Plakkie Jade, this plant has sharp leaves that can each grow one foot in length. The plant itself typically reaches as high as thirty-two inches and it loves the sun. Preferably, growing this plant in a low humid environment will help it thrive to its fullest potential. On occasion, yellowish flowers may bloom that has been known to grow into clusters that add a bit of color to the slightly red leaves.
4. Crassula Falcata
One of the easiest jade plants to work with, as well as among the slowest, the Crassula Falcata features leaves that twist about in pairs to give off a helicopter’s propeller appearance. Sometimes referred to as the Airplant Jade, this zone 9 to 11 friendly plant grows at its best between partial shade to full sun as it can grow anywhere from two to three feet tall. The blazing red flowers that bloom during the summer and fall months also reveal greyish green foliage. Although the Crassula Falcata does enjoy the seen, too much heat from it will cause the prevention of the plant from flowering.
5. Crassula Marnieriana
Otherwise known as the Worm Plant, this jade plant is best grown between the zones of 9 to 11. This succulent is cold and hardy that can survive a bit of frost without showing signs of damage. With chubby, vertically grown leaves, this plant can grow as high as six inches tall (fifteen centimeters). The reason why it’s nicknamed Worm Plant is due to how the leaves seem to sprawl out like earthworms. Ideally, a dry condition that has partial shade to full sun is the best place to put the Crassula Marnieriana jade plant. The production of its pink flowers has been known to appear from winter to spring, and into early summer. They’re easy enough to grow in a traditional plant container, whether it be tabletop or hung from the ceiling. Be sure not to overwater this particular jade plant as it will make it prone to rotting.
6. Crassula Ovata
Crassula Ovata may also be called the Money Plant as it is rumored to bring good fortune to anyone who happens to grow this particular species of jade plant. The leaves grow out to two inches when fully rounded and elongated. The plant’s height can range anywhere between three to six feet tall and is best grown in zones of 11 and 12. Partial shading is the best environment for the Crassula Ovata. It doesn’t care for the full sun quite as much as some of its jade relatives. It also needs soil that has good drainage as it has a higher tolerance level with drought and low humid environments. The leaves, when exposed to the full sun, are likely to turn red. Under ideal conditions, the Crassula Ovata can output pink or white flowers from late winter to early spring. It’s a relatively low-maintenance plant as there’s no need to prune it to maintain its beauty.
7. Crassula Ovata ‘Gollum’
Not to be confused with the character from Lord of the Rings, the Gollum Jade’s ogre ears are the only feature about it that may share trait similarities. Otherwise, the tubular layout of this type of Crassula Ovata plant has red-tipped green leaves that resemble suction cups. From late fall to early spring, starry pink or white flowers will bloom. The best environment for this plant is under the full sun within zones 10 and 11. It will grow in partial shade but may fall short a bit short from its three-foot-tall height once it reaches maturity. The Gollum Jade is a slow-growing plant, taking up to three years to reach maturity level needed to reproduce. As for watering, this particular plant can handle drought, so this means making sure the soil isn’t consistently wet as this will cause rot.
8. Crassula Ovata ‘Harbour Lights’
Also known as Harbor Lights, this type of jade plant does best in well-draining, rich soil containers, and with as much sun exposure as possible. The smaller leaves turn into a deep red during the cooler months of winter. The pinkish-white flowers are produced in the late winter, sometimes early spring. To encourage this Crassula Ovata to bloom, fertilize it during the late autumn season, and be sure not to overwater it.
9. Crassula Ovata ‘Hobbit’
The Hobbit Jade from the Crassula Ovata group has pipe-style leaves that are slightly curly. The light red tips with bright green leaves make a nice touch, whether it’s grown indoors or outdoors. It prefers to be outside, under the full sun with dry, sandy conditions. The pink and white flowers come out star-like from this three-foot-tall plant. The best zones for the Hobbit Jade are 10 and 11, which benefit a sparing amount of diluted fertilizer liquid during the summer. During the winter, hold back as the plant goes dormant during this time period.
10. Crassula Ovata ‘Hummel’s Sunset’
The Hummel’s Sunset features round, fleshy, and thick evergreen leaves for this type of jade plant features red and gold yellow along the edges of the leaves. During color months, the red on the leaves really pops out, along with the small clusters of star-like white flowers. Best in zones 9 to 12, this jade plant has a mild frost tolerance and is at its best from partial shade to full sun in rich, well-draining soil. Watering it occasionally will help keep the plant healthy, but make sure not to overdo it. The saturated soil will compromise the plant’s health.
11. Crassula Ovata ‘Minima’
This shrub, otherwise known as Baby Jade, grows up to one-foot wide, and one-foot tall plant features red edges once it reaches maturity. The thick leaves feel fleshy along its woody branches. This jade plant has a high tolerance for dry, relatively arid conditions and is a hardy plant when growing in zones 10 and 11. The pink coral flowers are what the Crassula Ovata Minima produces when kept in the ideal setting of full to partial sunshine.
12. Crassula Ovata ‘Ripple Jade’
Easy to recognize with its circular, thin, twisty-wavy green leaves, the Ripple Jade plant features a hint of blue. Along the edges of the thick evergreen foliage are dark brown or purple hues. Highly drought-tolerant, this hardy plant grows at its best up to zone 10. When the leaves begin to ripple, this is your queue to water the Ripple Jade. Once mature, assuming it has grown anywhere from partial shade to full sun, this Crassula Ovata can grow as tall as four feet. It doesn’t flower much, but when it does, they’re a small white. To encourage steady growth, use a slow-release fertilizer in early spring each year.
13. Crassula Ovata ‘Undulata’
From zones 9 to 1ll, Undulata Jade features a slightly curlier look than its relatives, whose leaves tend to be elongated and thick. The Crassula Ovata has wavy leaves that feel waxy and is a very slow and dense-growing plant. As a houseplant or compacted groundcover, this sun-loving plant thrives when it’s pruned. In its natural habitat, the Crassula Ovata Undulata grows in the desert. It doesn’t mind the shade but will lack the vibrance it will otherwise get underneath the full exposure of the sun. During the summer months, the plant produces pinkish-white flowers. Be sure to water this particular jade plant minimally in a well-drained soil container. When the growing season starts, fertilizing the plant bi-weekly will help it grow as high as one and a half feet.
14. Crassula Perforata
This fast-growing jade plant is otherwise known as String of Buttons due to its sprawling shrub with its unique appearance. The chubby, triangular leaves stack on top of each other that feature a slight rosy pink tinge to them that produce pale yellow flowers. This drought-tolerant plant is also deer resistant. When the Crassula Perforata is fully matured, it height can range anywhere from one to two feet tall. From partial shade to full sun, the best growing zones for this jade plant is between 9 to 11. In order to avoid it from drying out, cut the stalks back after they bloom.
15. Crassula Picturata
For the gardener who is meticulous to detail, the Crassula Picturala, also known as Tiger Jade, makes the perfect plant. Growing as only high as a few inches, preferably in the sunniest zones of 9 to 11, this is a highly compressed plant that could pass as a leafy green pagoda. Underneath the leaves are purple and spots that will leave a powder residue upon the touch. Be sure to avoid the leaves from making contact with water. When stressed, this type of jade plant will spread up as high as eight inches and turn red. For the production of pink or white flowers from the Crassula Picturata, give it a single dose of a slow-release fertilizer in the spring.
16. Crassula Pubescens
This type of jade plant is also known as the six-inch Bear Paw. Technically a yellow-flowered shrub, this low-growing plant makes an excellent ground cover, as well as in traditional plant containers. Starting out with slender and fuzzy green foliage, the full sun coverage will help draw out a dark burgundy, assuming it’s given a moderate amount of water and is periodically repotted as a means to prevent it from crowding. While it can’t take too much afternoon heat, be sure the Crassula Pubescens have well-draining soil beneath them to avoid rotting issues.
17. Crassula Rupestris
This type of jade plant is also known as a Baby’s Necklace. The beaded necklace appearance from the round greyish green leaves grow upwards and sprawl out. From within a container, these leaves can drape over the sides, which never needs pruning. Best grown in full sun to partial shade, routine watering without saturating the rich soil. Be sure the climate doesn’t get too cool as the Crassula Rupestris has a zero-tolerance level with the cold and frost.
18. Crassula Sarmentosa ‘Comet’
The foot-tall Crassula Sarmentosa is considered one of the most striking plants from the jade family. Also described as Comet Jade, the dark green center on the plant’s leaves is surrounded by a lime green coloring. The best growing environment for this particular jade plant is between the zones of 9 to 12. Routine watering is required to keep this plant healthy, along with partial shade to full sun exposure. The red tint found on the stems sometimes trails down and will feature pink or red edging when the plant is grown in full sun. The pink buds blossom to white flowers during the autumn season. Regular pruning to keep the Crassula Sarmentosa from looking too leggy is recommended. Otherwise, the plant doesn’t really require too much maintenance.
19. Pink Jade
Producing slightly larger clusters of pink, bushy flowers is what gives the Pink Jade its name. The green leaves with the creamy pink and light yellow edges offset the pink blooms. In dryer conditions, the plant will feature a red blush. When the climate becomes colder, covering the plant to protect it from the cold is recommended. During a five-year period, this slow-growing jade plant is capable of growing as high as three feet tall. The more sunlight the Pink Jade can get the better, especially in rich, well-draining soil.
20. Portulacaria Afra
This sun-loving Dwarf Jade plant grows as high as twelve feet with its woody red stems when the conditions are perfect enough for it to do so. The flowers the Portulacaria Afra produces can be pink, purple, or white when they come out in the late spring or early summer. Zones 9 to 11 are the best environments for it as it has a low tolerance level to frost. In order to prevent this jade plant from becoming too leggy, keeping up with a regular trim with garden scissors will help maintain its health and appearance.
