In this article you will learn about many types of Jade plants with pictures. Let’s check out some of my favorite Jade varieties as well as several plants that are often confused with Jade plant types.
There are about 200 species of Jade plant types and over 1400 Crassula varieties. The Jade plant is a very popular houseplant because it is super easy to care for. Definitely perfect for beginners or the forgetful gardener.
They thrive in most indoor environments, making their lush green leaves a great addition to any home or office. Jade plants are a species of succulent plants in the genus Crassula (pronounced KRASS-oo-luh or KRASS-uh-luh) and family Crassulaceae (pronounced krass-yoo-LAY-see-ee).
Jade plants are native to South Africa. They do not require much care. However, if you treat it right, it can last a lifetime. Additionally, you can train Jade plants into a Bonsai.
In fact, it can also grow into a large, beautiful bush. Many public and private places are decorated with Jade plants. We have them all over neighborhoods and shopping centers where I live in Southern California.
Water
Water thoroughly and then wait until plant is completely dry before watering again.
Light
Jade plants do well in full sun to bright indirect light, but will survive in reduced lighting conditions.
Humidity
30-50% humidity is best
Temp
Performs best at room temperature (65° to 75°F / 18° to 24°C), but prefer slightly cooler temperatures at night and in the winter (down to 55°F / 13°C).
Soil
Well-draining succulent soil or potting soil mixed with perlite/pumice and coarse sand.
Fertilizer
For the best care, use a liquid fertilizer at half strength once every six weeks. Do not fertilize your plant when the soil is dry. Doing so will damage the roots of the Jade plant.
Pronunciation
KRASS-yoo-luh or KRASS-uh-luh
Common Name
Jade Plant, Money Plant, Money Tree, Friendship Tree, Lucky Plant, Beestebul, Chinese Jade Plant
Scientific Name
Crassula
Toxicity
Slightly toxic for humans and pets. It will not cause death or serious illness, but can cause nausea. Best to keep children and pets.
The Crassula Ovata is the most common type of Jade Plant. Also known as The Money Tree, The Friendship Plant, or The Lucky Jade. It was the original variety of the Jade Plant that was first discovered.
One of the most popular varieties in circulation today and also the fastest growing of all the Ovata cultivars. They get their name from their meaty jade-green colored leaves that are usually tear-shaped, oval-shaped, or wedge-shaped.
Incredibly hardy and said to bring good fortune and luck according to Feng Shui. When stressed the Jade plant leaf tips can turn a pretty reddish-pink. In winter look for cute pinkish white flowers.
In fact, many people consider it ideal for planting near coastal areas. It is also used as a divider or displayed in gardens when trimmed and shaped properly. Learn more about caring for the Crassula Ovata Jade plant here.
The Crassula Arborescens (pronounced KRASS-yoo-luh ar-bore-ESS-enz) is commonly known as the Silver Dollar Jade, Blue Bird, or the Blue Buddha Bush. Definitely popular for its silvery, light blue leaves.
Blue bird Jade plants have more circular leaves than other common jade plants. It is a slow-growing plant. Indeed much slower than its cousin Crassula ovata.
When exposed to more sun, the edges of the leaves produce bright red to burgundy tips. Additionally, flowers grow from its tips and are long lasting. Specifically appearing during the autumn to winter seasons.
Arborescens grows well outdoors as a large bush or it can be kept more small and compact in a container. Learn more detailed care instructions for your Crassula Arborescens here.
The Crassula arborescens undulatifolia is commonly known as Ripple Jade, Curly Jade, Jitters Jade, or Silver Jade. In fact, it is one of the waviest of all the Jade Plants. Ripple Jade or Curly Jade is an attractive succulent with twisting, undulating, blue-green leaves.
Curly Jade has a tight compact growth habit and thin waxy leaves. Definitely a perfect contrast plant. When given room to grow, Ripple Jade will form a dense, mounding shrub up to 3 feet tall.
Crassula arborescens undulatifolia works well outdoors as a landscaping shrub in frost-free climates (Zones 10-11) as it is not cold hardy. Additionally, it makes a great indoor plant in containers. Just be sure it has access to bright, indirect light. Learn more about Ripple Jade Plants here.
The Crassula Arborescens Blue Bird Variegata is also commonly known as the Blue Bird, money plant, or Jade Plant. In fact, it’s a slow-growing, clump forming succulent. Definitely, its stunning leaf coloration sets it apart from other Jade Plant types.
Mixtures of aqua, cream, green, and red are surely a sight to see. Its maximum height hovers around 20 inches (50 cm) tall. However, its size can be reduced when grown in a container. Indeed a rewarding succulent grown for its year-round leaf color.
Crassula Ovata Variegata, also known as ‘Lemon & Lime’ are distinguished for their light green, pale yellow and ivory colored striped leaves. Like many jade varieties, Variegated Jade plants’ leaves can turn pinkish red at the tips when exposed to plenty of sunlight. These are much slower growers than the non-variegated version.
Variegated jade is a fresh, fun take on a tried-and-true favorite. It’s just as easy to grow as jade plant, but features silvery-cream colored streaks in the leaves. Like its non-variegated cousin, its flowers are pinkish-white.
While slow growing, it can reach 5 feet tall or so over time. You may also see it sold as Crassula argentea ‘Variegata’. As an outdoor plant it does best in Zones 10-11. Learn more about the Variegated Jade here.
Crassula ovata ‘Crosby’s Compact’ is also called Crassula ovata ‘Crosby’s Dwarf’, Red Dwarf Jade Plant, Mini Leaf Jade Plant or Dwarf Baby Jade. Definitely a much slower grower than the traditional Crassula Ovata. Growing about 2-3 feet (61-92 cm) tall with thick stems that hold 1/2 to 1 inch (1.2-2.5 cm) long obovate leaves.
Leaves are green with red margins and new leaves that can be flushed with red tones. Look for white star-like flowers in late fall through winter. Flowers appear in clusters at the tips of the foliage.
Plant in part to full sun. Definitely produces her best and brightest colors in bright light. Crosby’s Dwarf prefers well draining soil and loves to dry out completely in between watering.
Not cold hardy for prolonged periods below 30°F (-3.9°C). However, it can survive short durations of temperatures to 25°F (-1.1°C). Indeed, it makes a great container plant for areas with cold winters as plants can be brought inside in colder months.
An excellent small shrub that requires very little water to look its best. Additionally, leaves takes on several shades of red. Specifically from deep maroon to warm red in bright light.
Golden Jade or ‘Hummel’s Sunset’ has stunning sunset colored leaves. Glossy yellow-green foliage sports red margins when exposed to full sun. It can be grown outside (zone 9+) as a dense, mounding shrub, inside in a container, or as a bonsai with pruning. Its egg-shaped leaves sprout from thick, woody branches and lighten when grown in full sun.
The ‘Hummel’s Sunset’ plant is named after plant hybridizer Ed Hummel. Look for white flowers in fall and winter, along with more brilliant foliage colors. The Sunset Jade succulent grows best in full sun to part shade and is not cold hardy. Definitely low maintenance and drought hardy.
Crassula ovata ‘Minima’ is a hardy dwarf succulent with a thick trunk and branches. Commonly referred to as Dwarf Jade or Miniature Jade. Its foliage is rounded and fleshy and glossy green with reddish edges.
Growing up to 2.5 feet (76 cm) tall and up to 20 inches (51 cm) wide. Definitely great as a landscaping plant or commonly used as a feature plant in arrangements. Low maintenance and drought tolerant.
Prefers well-draining soil in full sun to partial shade. Be sure to allow ‘Minima’ to dry completely before watering and fertilize as needed. Look for small, star-shaped, coral-pink flowers in late winter to early spring.
The Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’ is a much-loved Jade Plant. In warm climates it can grow outdoors as a small shrub. But, it also really shines as a low maintenance indoor plant. Indeed because it tolerates low-light conditions.
When grown indoors, this plant stays small. Woody branches make this a favorite among bonsai growers. ‘Hobbit’ leaves are shaped more like a spoon, with the edges curled in upon themselves. Instead of fully rounded leaves, they are more of a half circle, really tight and tall.
Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’ and Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ Jade are often confused in literature, by nurseries, and are often used interchangeably. Indeed, both have some similar features and both names are from J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings.
In fact, they both share many common names. Specifically Spoon jade, Gollum jade, Hobbit Jade, Ogres Ears, Shrek’s Ears, ET’s fingers, Finger jade, Hobbit’s Pipe Jade, and Trumpet jade. Learn more about the Hobbit Jade in our post here.
The Crassula ovata ‘Gollum Variegata’ is a rare beauty. Also known as Variegated Gollum Jade. Check your local plant nursery or sites like Etsy or Ebay for this specialty plant.
The Crassula Ovata ‘Gollum’ Jade has elongated, tubular, concave leaves with puckered ends that appear like suction cups or trumpet tips. The finger-like leaves range in color from light to deep green and tips are tinged with red. The reddish hue on the tips intensifies with sun exposure and cooler temperatures.
You can distinguish the Crassula Gollum and Hobbit Jade Plants by looking at their leaves. Hobbits have curled leaves while Gollum’s leaves are almost tubular with their reddish tint.
Crassula ovata Hobbit has much larger leaves. In fact, almost the size of common Crassula ovata. Also, they are folded in on themselves. Although, not completely tubular and flat-topped as is the Gollum Jade.
In fact, both ‘Gollum’ and ‘Hobbit’, have trunks that become thick with age and develop interesting stem patterns. This makes them great container plants. And they can also be cultivated as a bonsai. Learn more care tips in our Gollum Jade Post here.
Variegated Gollum Jade
A slightly larger version of the non-variegated Gollum Jade plant. Stunning variegation is in different shades of green, cream and yellow. Additionally, tips show off with shades or orange and red. Also, leaves are tubular, similar to the non-variegated version
Crassula ovata ‘Pink Beauty’
The Pink Beauty is also known as ‘Pink Jade’. Indeed named for its extra pink tips on its lime green leaves. Red to orange ombré blushing develops during very dry conditions. Also, clusters of lightly-scented, pink flowers bloom in winter and late autumn.
The Crassula ovata ‘Obliqua‘ can be grown indoors as a potted plant. Or, grown outside as a dense, mounding shrub. Its shiny leaves have pointy tips that sprout from thick branches. Additionally, edges can flush to shades of purple when exposed to direct sun.
Native to South Africa and Mozambique where it grows on rocky slopes. In fact, it reaches up to 8″ (20 cm) tall. Indoors, when grown in small pots with frequent pruning, it will stay a small bonsai size. Additionally, look for white star-like flowers on Obliqua in fall.
Crassula Ovata 'Komaengi'
The Crassula Ovata Komaengi is sometimes spelled “Komaengii”. Definitely the smallest regular leaf jade plant that we have ever seen. Additionally, it originates from South Korea.
A low growing spreader with a shallow root system. In fact, it sends out runners that can form a colony up to 20 inches (50 cm) wide. Crassula orbicularis is a succulent perennial that forms beautiful rosettes.
Additionally, flat green leaves flush from red to purple in bright light. Its narrow leaves are elliptic, growing up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide with hairy margins.
In late winter to early spring look for blooms. Flowers are white to dark red, growing on a tall stem up to 6 inches (15 cm) tall, with leaf-like buds.
Crassula picturata ‘Tiger Jade’ is a small annual or perennial succulent herb. In fact its numerous stems form tufts. Additionally, vertical woody rootstock shows green to plum tones. Leaves are speckled with small dots.
Also, Tiger Jade has spirally arranged rosettes and rather narrow, acute leaves. An easy grower that tolerates indoor growing conditions well. Additionally, its flowers are tiny and pale pink with erect hairy stems.
The Crassula obvallata is now known as Crasula cotyledonis. Thick, round, disc-like leaves that fan out in a rosettes shape. Leaves are a silvery- green shade. Also, leaves are covered in a soft coating of velvety short hairs.
Additionally, leaf margins can stress to shades of purple or red. Also look for greenish looking flowers from spring to summer. In fact, low maintenance and easy to care for.
Plants similar to Jade Plant
The Portulacaria Afra (pronounced Portch-two-lah-carry-a AFF-ruh) plant is also known as Elephant Bush, Dwarf Jade, or Elephant food. In fact, this South African native serves as food for elephants in their native habitat. Additionally, they have reddish brown stems with glossy green leaves.
Dwarf Jade plants start out as a small bush and eventually grow tall and tree-like. These plants are very easy to grow and propagate and are popular among bonsai tree growers. Portulacaria Afra is also referred to as ‘Mini Jade’ and is often mistaken for Jade Plants, because they resemble each other in a lot of ways.
Although Elephant Bush closely resembles Jade Plants in appearance, they are not at all related. Learn more about the Dwarf Jade here.
The variegated version is Portulacaria afra variegata and has stunning leaves with mixes of cream and ivory. Like most variegated versions it does tend to grow slower than the non-variegated version.
The Trailing Jade is actually not technically a Jade plant at all. Its botanical name is Senecio jacobsenii (Sen-NEE-see-oh jay-kob-sen-ee-eye) and is sometimes called Weeping Jade or Kleinia petraea.
This variety is native to the highlands of Tanzania and Kenya where it creeps along as a ground cover. In fact, in cultivation it shines in hanging pots. Allowing its thick stems to form a dense cascade up to 4 feet (1.2m) long.
Smooth, spoon-shaped leaves of Trailing Jade stand upright on their stems. Moderate stress from bright sun or cool temperatures (40°F-50°F/4.4-10°C) can induce vibrant flushing from light purple to magenta.
Definitely a shy and unreliable bloomer. When flowers do appear, they are bright orange and shaped like a paintbrush. Although, a few find their smell appealing. However, it is super easy to cut off the flowers without harming the plant.
Trailing Jade thrives in well-draining gritty soil with at least 50% inorganic material. For example coarse sand, perlite, or pumice. Water deeply so that water runs out the drainage hole. However, do not water again until the soil is completely dried out.
Senecio Jacobsenii tolerates pruning very well. In fact, the cuttings can be propagated and transplanted.
Plants in the genus Cotyledon (koh-teh-LEE-don) often are confused with Jade Plants (Crassula). However, the flowers are very different. Jades have clusters of small star-shaped flowers, usually in midwinter.
Although, cotyledons send up panicles of orange, bell-shaped blooms in early summer. Serving as a counterpoint to upright leaves that may be cylindrical or pancakelike. Also, edged with a thin red line.
Leaf colors include green, blue, powdery mauve, and gray. Blooms attract ants, that colonize them with aphids. Spray or dab the pests with diluted isopropyl alcohol.
Aichryson laxum
Often the Aichryson laxum is confused with its relative The Money tree. Indeed, they are very similar. In fact they both have the same dwarf-tree-like appearance.
Also known as The Tree of Love plant for its heart-shaped form. Stems and green leaves are covered with short white hairs. Reddish tints appear in strong light. The plant received the name “Tree of Love” thanks to its leaves that have a.
Aichryson Domesticum
The Aichryson domesticum is a soft leaved shrub succulent with sunny yellow flowers. It grows up to 1 foot (30 cm) tall. Be sure to protect it from frost.
Want to learn more about plants? Check out our videos!
Join our email mailing list
Sign up for the MoodyBloomsCo.com blog alerts and once subscribed, I will send you a notification when a new post has been made.
Shop our favorite products!
Spread the word!
Support Moody Blooms by using the affiliate links to shop. As a result, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this helps us so we can continue to create helpful free content. Thank you so much for your support. We appreciate it.
