Jade succulents are hearty but can be very delicate. Learn about the different types of jade plants, what they're called, and how they should be taken care of!
Just like with any living thing, there are many different species and variations of jade plants to keep an eye out for when considering which kind to buy. Size, shape, and even color are all options to choose from thanks to the diversity of the crassulaceae family.
Jade plants originate in South Africa, classified as a succulent plant since it shares the ability to store water long enough to survive droughts. Succulents like aloe vera and cacti are also known for being drought tolerant, both being of the succulent class, and are easily maintained as house plants with how low maintenance they tend to be.
The term “Lucky Plant” was coined by Feng Shui, given to plants that are believed to attract luck. Along with that comes prosperity and fortune, thus adding other relative terms such as “Money Tree” and “Money Plant”. Jade plants are considered to be one of those lucky plants, some more than others. If you’re in search of a beacon to invite these qualities into your life, let’s be sure that you find the right one!
Crassula Arborescens
1. Silver Jade Plant
Named after its leaves’ resemblance to silver dollars found, the silver dollar jade is a succulent plant that grows up to 3 or 4 feet tall. Its leaves are a silver-gray and accented with reddish spots and edges. Unlike other plants, you don’t have to water succulents too often. In fact, every 20 to 40 days is about the right length!
Also known as:
2. Silver Dollar Jade Plant
3. Chinese Jade Plant
4. Money Tree
5. Silver Springtime Jade Plant
Crassula Arborescens Blue Bird Variegata
6. Blue Bird Money Plant
The blue bird money plant has blue-gray or blue-green leaves. This succulent shrub grows to about three feet tall and wide, but this happens over the span of about 10 years. When watering this plant, be sure that it has good drainage so the water doesn’t drown its roots in the pot. Blue bird money plants thrive in full sunlight and if you’re looking for an extra boost you can give them a little compost to keep them happy.
Also known as:
7. Blue Bird Variegata
8. Blue Buddha Bush
Crassula Arborescens Undulatifolia
9. Ripple Jade Plant
The ripple jade plant has one of the most interesting appearances of any other jade plant. Its rippled leaves curve and bend around the edges, donning blue-green leaves and green stems that can turn brown or wood-like. Amounting to 4 feet in height, this succulent requires about 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. Unfortunately, you won’t see many blooms since they tend to be quite rare. Something to keep in mind before deciding on this jade plant variety is that it can be toxic to cats, who we all know like to nibble on any leaves in your home.
Crassula Argentea ‘Hobbit’
10. Hobbit Jade Plant
If you’re someone who appreciates the unusual and unique style of plants, the hobbit jade plants might be just what you’re looking for! These succulent leaves look more like pipes and, when mature, spread up to 4 feet wide with thick woody stems. The delicate, star-shaped flowers will only bloom under perfect conditions.
11. Jade Bonsai Tree
All jade plants are considered to be indoor plants, and the same can be said for the jade bonsai tree. Though it may look like a dwarf tree, wood trunk and all, this is still a succulent! That’s right – there may be branches but the green leaves are actually succulent leaves, so this jade should be treated as such. Indoor temperatures are ideal, as long as it doesn’t get any colder than 40℉, and direct sunlight is preferred in order for this bonsai to flourish. Look forward to red-tipped leaves to be sure that you’ve given it the proper sunlight and water.
Crassula Capitella
12. Campfire Jade Plant
This name comes from how the green leaves slowly fade into red, like the flame of a fire. This succulent shrub really prefers a consistent watering schedule, as well as the gentle rays of morning sunlight. If you have a window facing East, that would be the perfect spot for your campfire jade! During its bloom, you’ll see small white flowers and it will grow to be 2 or even 3 feet wide as it matures. The leaves of a campfire jade plant are often compared to propellers – can you see the resemblance?
Also known as:
Propeller Plant
13. Red Flame Plant
14. Red Pagoda Jade Plant
15. Crassula Coccinea
16. Red Jade Plant
The red jade plants will bloom red flowers in the months of June and July, which you can see in this photo. Red jade plants grow more up rather than out, giving the succulent shrub plenty of height. It’s easy to compare these to grafted cacti with red bulbs. You can definitely count on those blooming red flowers, unlike many other jade plants, to show up yearly and provide a stunning centerpiece on any table!
Crassula Cultrata
17. Bush Plakkie
Growing to 32 inches tall at maturity, the bush plakkie jade actually blooms in spring. It should be watered as regularly as other succulents to keep the fleshy leaves that bright, happy green. Place or plant somewhere with direct sunlight, a nice and warm temperature, and beware of overwatering! Overwatering a succulent will kill it, so be sure to plant it somewhere with good drainage.
Also known as:
18. Sharp-Leaved Crassula
Crassula Marginata Variegata
A flowering jade plant with heart-shaped leaves and rose pink foliage
19. Calico Kitten Jade Plant
Calico kitten jades are the sweetest looking jade plants you’ll ever find. Their beautiful succulent leaves are a rosy pink, with similarly colored, heart shaped leaves to add to the foliage – even the stems are pink! You do not want to leave this succulent in full sun because of how delicate it is, so stick with partial sun but let it be bright light. Windows facing East are the most recommended, but South or North are acceptable if you keep a close eye.
Also known as:
20. Crassula Pellucida ‘Variegata’
Crassula Marnieriana
21. Jade Necklace Plant
When you first lay eyes on the jade necklace succulent, it might strike you with how strange a plant it really is. With a long and beaded appearance, it shares a resemblance to a necklace strung with large green beads. A necklace that grows in a straight line, of course! The edges will turn a beautiful red, like many other jade plants, and thrive on a consistent watering schedule.
Crassula Obliqua
22. Lemon & Lime Jade Plant
The leaves of a lemon & lime plant have a spoon-like shape and are streaked with yellow stripes along the bright green leaves. This jade succulent does best in bright, direct sunlight that ideally lasts throughout the day. That means, choosing a window that faces North or even planting the lemon & lime outside will allow this jade plant variety to flourish and succeed. As it grows, be sure to split and repot this plant so that it doesn’t overcrowd itself, using silty or well-draining soil.
Crassula Ovata
23. Jade Plant
The classic jade plant has many different names, such as lucky jade, baby jade, or even Chinese jade. This succulent will bloom small white flowers or pink flowers during spring or early summer months. Jade plants are a favorite when it comes to indoor plants. If you’re passionate and interested in taking proper care of your jade plants, take a look at Gardening Know How‘s article on Growing Jade Houseplants!
Also known as:
24. Chinese Rubber Plant
25. Dwarf Rubber Plant
26. Lucky Jade Plant
27. Baby Jade Plant
28. Jade Tree
29. Japanese Rubber Plant
30. Skinny Fingers Jade Plant
The leaves of a skinny finger jade look just like skinny fingers – and remind many die-hard E.T. fans of alien-like appendages. This type of jade plant can reach around 36 inches in height, turning red at the tips as it continues to mature. If you’re looking for something with a unique appearance, this gangly succulent is a great place to start. Not to mention, it will bloom with star shaped flowers!
Also known as:
31. Crassula Ovata Coral
32. E.T.’s Finger Jade Plant
33. E.T.’s Jade
34. Harbour Lights Jade Plant
As with other plants, the fleshy leaves of this jade succulent are thick. Unlike the other types of jade plants, these succulent leaves have captured the beauty of a sunset just to share it with us! Starting with deep red at the tip, the harbour lights jades slowly fade back into the light jade green foliage at the inner section of the leaves. Planting March through June will allow your jade to become fully established by winter, and contrast it with the bright red foliage it is so well known for.
Also known as:
35. Crassula Harbour Lights
36. Friendship Plant
37. Pink Beauty Jade Plant
The crassula ovata pink beauty is probably one of the most popular jade plants out there! As you can see in this picture, the pink jade will bloom with beautiful, delicate pink flowers. This occurs during the weeks of early winter, sprouting with red stems and lasting the longest when it has access to full sun. Beware of overwatering this delicate jade – that is the number one cause of death for jade plants!
Also known as:
38. Pink Jade Plant
39. Botany Bay Jade Plant
Jadeart.com recommends planting the botany bay jade in a medium sized pot or container. The potential height of jade plants depends on the amount of space it is given to grow, both spreading out and down where the roots are. The bigger the pot, the more potential it has! Botany bay is a great choice for those looking for a plant with green leaves and foliage to act as ground cover without too much maintenance.
Crassula Picturata
40. Tiger Jade Plant
The name ‘tiger jade’ was derived from the many spots and speckles that decorate the green leaves of this succulent. It is a compact jade, meaning you can hardly see any stem, with certain varieties showing red or maroon tones underneath the leaves. Though the edges appear serrated, these little spikes are just hairs! The tiger jade plants are not the only succulents that are poisonous if eaten, so keep an eye on your pets.
Also known as:
41. Crassula Exilis ssp. Cooperi
42. Tiger’s Jaw
Crassula Ovata ‘Crosby’s Compact’
43. Dwarf Jade Plant
A dwarf jade plant resembles a small tree, almost like a sapling, that will never grow taller than about 10 feet or so at maturity. The glossy green leaves are attached to reddish stems that develop into thick woody stems over time, giving it that little jade tree look. Watering the dwarf jade plants monthly, with the occasional dose of fertilizer, will keep it strong and healthy year-round. If you really want this jade to thrive, putting it outside during the summer in bright but indirect sunlight is the way to go!
Also known as:
44. Dwarf Jade Tree
Crassula Ovata ‘Gollum’
45. Gollum Jade Plant
Late fall or the weeks of early winter is when this darling jade will bloom its star shaped flowers. These delicate pink flowers or white flowers last only a few weeks, so be sure to enjoy them while you can! The interesting shape of the gollum jade plants is what gives them their popularity and draws people’s attention. If you’re looking to get this type of jade plant because of its intriguing appearance, keep in mind that it can grow up to 3 feet tall and wide!
Also known as:
46. Finger Jade
47. Hobbit’s Pipe Jade
48. Trumpet Jade
Crassula Ovata ‘Hummel’s Sunset’
49. Hummel’s Sunset Jade
This jade is a succulent shrub, growing about 3 feet tall and wide. You’ll know when your sunset jade, also known as a golden jade tree, is healthy and thriving because the edges of the leaves will be tinted in yellow and red! How to achieve this stunning look is with strong, bright, indirect sunlight and watering monthly – not too often, or the jade won’t survive! When it blooms, you will be able to see the tiny flowers, white or sometimes pink, just like other types of jade plants.
Also known as:
50. Golden Jade Tree
51. Jade Sunset Plant
Crassula Ovata ‘Minima’
52. Miniature Jade Plant
This is another dwarf jade plant or shrub succulent, growing to be just over 2 feet tall and almost 2 feet wide. It has a thick woody trunk with rounded, jade green leaves, and grows in clusters. This makes it an excellent filler for succulent gardens if you are someone who really enjoys seeing a lot of green. As with many other types of jade plants, the fleshy leaves of this succulent often become red-tipped when healthy and thriving. Follow a regular watering schedule as you do with other succulents and you will see that striking red color in no time!
Crassula Pubescens Subsp. Rattrayi
53. Bear Paw Jade Plant
If you take a good look at this jade, it won’t be hard to see where it got its adorable name! The so-called ‘claws’ of bear paw jades are particularly adorable when they slowly become red with maturity. It is considered to be one of the more heavily clumping succulents. The leaves, or ‘paws’, feel velvety to the touch with the soft, white fuzz that covers the light green tone that you see in this picture.
Also known as:
54. Red Carpet Jade
55. Crassula Rattrayi
56. Globulea Pubescens var. Rattrayi
Crassula Rupestris
57. Kebab Bush Jade
Because of how compact this jade grows, it appears to be more of a bush than a simple succulent plant. The stem appears to skewer through the leaves, resembling a kebab of vegetables one might cook on the grill, giving it this unique name. The kebab bush is one of the best jades to choose for a hanging plant, whether it be in a pot or a hanging planter. Each branch can reach 3 feet, and it’s all decided by the size of its pot, as well as whether or not it is receiving the proper water and sunlight for a succulent.
Also known as:
58. Baby’s Necklace Jade
59. Baby’s Necklace Vine
Crassula Sarmentosa ‘Comet’
A beautiful succulent plant with stems that soar outwards and upwards or trickle down.
60. Variegated Trailing Jade Plant
Trailing jade plants are known to hang over or trail over the side of their pot. Their green leaves branch out on reddish stems, lined on the edges with a creamy yellow. Each branch can grow to be around a foot long, making it quite the eye-catching plant to have hanging in your home. Although this jade succulent may look and act considerably different than other types of jade plants, the watering and sun habits should remain about the same: full, indirect sun with light watering. Star shaped flowers bloom in late autumn.
Also known as:
61. Weeping Jade Plant
62. Comet Jade Plant
63. Crassula Sarmentosa ‘Variegata’
64. Senecio Jacobsenii ‘Variegata’
65. Kleinia petraea
Crassula Sericea
66. Hottentotta
The leaves of a hottentotta jade plant are extremely thick and bulbous, giving it the very full appearance that we have come to know it by. This is another of the jade plants that have silky or velvety leaves, covered in those tiny white hairs. Those leaves are full of water but can flatten during a drought or if it isn’t getting enough water. Keep an eye on them if you want to make sure your succulent has enough water!
Also known as:
67. Crassula Sericea Schönland
Crassula Tomentosa
A succulent plant with a single to a few, seldom several rosettes of grayish green leaves.
68. Wooly Jade Plant
Possibly the most interesting jade of all, wooly jade plants are named for their wooly texture which covers the entirety of their light green leaves. As you can see, they grow in little bundles – almost like a head of cabbage! When this succulent flowers, it can grow up to 2 feet tall and the bundles will spread with infinite potential. If you would like to expand your wooly jade garden, simply cutting a leaf off and planting it in the dirt will allow new roots to form and a new plant to grow. This is called propagation.
Also known as: