Jade plants are succulent houseplants, which make them fairly resilient and easy to grow indoors—plus, they’re long-lived. 

Jade plants prefer full sun with preference to four or more hours of sunlight each day.  They flourish in a room with south-facing windows. 

During the spring and summer months, jade plants should be watered often so the soil is moist but not wet.  Drainage of excess water is crucial.  Reduce watering to monthly during the winter months.

With their thick, woody stems and oval-shaped leaves, jade plants have a miniature, tree-like appearance that makes them very appealing for use as a decorative houseplant.  They live for a very long time, often being passed down from generation to generation and reaching heights of three feet or more when grown indoors.

Jade plants may be grown outdoors as landscape plants in areas with a mild, dry year-round climate, typically Zone 10 and warmer.  They are very susceptible to cold temperatures and must therefore be grown indoors in Zones 10 and colder.

How to Plant Jade Plants

Choose a wide and sturdy pot with a moderate depth, as jade plants have a tendency to grow top-heavy and fall over.

Use a soil that will drain thoroughly.  Excessive moisture may promote fungal diseases like root rot.

After planting a jade plant, don’t water it right away.  Waiting anywhere from several days to a week before watering lets the roots settle and recover from any damage.

How to Start a Jade Plant from a Leaf or Stem Cutting

As a succulent, jade plants are very easy to start from single leaves or cuttings.

Remove a leaf or take a stem cutting from a well-established plant.  An ideal stem cutting would be 2–3 inches in length and have at least two pairs of leaves.  Once you have your leaf or cutting, allow it to sit for several days in a warm place.   A callous or scab will form over the cut area, helping to prevent rot and encourage rooting.

Use soil that is slightly moist, but not wet.

Take the leaf and lay it on top of the soil horizontally, covering the cut end with some of the soil.  If you have a stem cutting, place it upright in the soil. 

Place the pot in a warm place with bright, indirect light.  Do not water.

After a week or two, the leaf or cutting will start sending out roots. 

Once the plant seems to be firmly rooted, water it deeply and carefully.  Make sure that you don’t just get the surface layer of the soil wet, as you want to encourage the roots to grow downward for water, not towards the surface.

Let the soil dry out between watering and keep the plant out of intense direct sunlight until it is well established.