Jade
I can’t think of anything in the yard that begins with J so jade plants inside will have to suffice. Since living here, with a room full of light, it has been easy to multiply my jade plants into an interior forest. Whenever a leaf/lobe falls off or gets accidentally knocked off, I put it on the soil of that or another planter and soon it is sprouting into a new plant. “Mother jade”, which you’ll see in the bottom photo, began life with my ex in around 2008. It was his plant and he kept it at his house. When he moved in with me, he brought it over. It was maimed in around 2015, which snapped off the main stem. It was again maimed in 2017, but it recovered. It would be impossible to move it now without seriously harming it.
I took this pic on April 3. Spring, when the longer light comes back, is when they grow and green up:
This is what it looks like when a lobe is put into soil. It takes awhile, but then:
The original plant was very small. I gave it to my boyfriend as a gift and he put it in his sunniest spot. I think it was in bloom in this pic. Little Chaun was looking at him when I took the pic. Those two were best buddies.
green character sealed
a small gift, nurtured with love,
grows many branches
Tao Talk 
I, too, have a million little jade plants always sprouting from bits of the old one… But my original plant is not thriving like yours is. It has never gotten super big, and tends to remain somewhat sparse. Clearly I’m taking care of it well enough for it to chug along, but not well enough for it to be super happy.
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Anne, so cool about your baby jades. They yearn to live and I can never be heartless and toss them, and I think you’re the same about them. What I’ve concluded about jade is that it’s all about the light. If you don’t have it, they will never thrive. Have you thought about supplementing them with light? I gave my son one some years ago, and like yours, it keeps living but it’s limping along. He considers it a nuisance but he loves his mom so cares for it.
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Do you ever have problems with mealy bugs in you jade plant? I have a large flourishing indoor ‘garden’ and all my plants thrive except for this one particular jade plant. I have another jade that is doing very well but the other one is constantly plagued with mealy bugs and its growth is obviously stunted. I treat it regularly and the mealy bugs disappear but invariably return. Fortunately, no other plants have been infested. Go figure! I’ve tried lots of ways to help this plant and I’m stumped ….. something new for me in the plant department! Do you have any suggestions? Your plant looks very healthy and happy!
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Nancy, no, nothing ever bothers the jade (knock on wood.) The only problem I had with them was a few years ago, in summer, I put one out on the driveway in the blazing sun (blazing for MI anyway) and the leaves turned dark dark and I thought it was a goner, but when I moved it to a shadier area it recovered and the leaves greened back up.
In about 10 minutes I’m adding 2 pics to the bottom of the post to show you what the jade plant looks like now. One is the whole plant and the other is showing where it got maimed and how it recovered.
I’m guessing you’ve used neem oil already? Maybe keep a spray bottle with neem and just use that from now on? I really don’t know anything about mealy bugs.
One thing I’ve had recurring problems with though are fungus gnats on my Christmas Cactus! Over time I’ve found a way to keep them away. If I see them, I put one of those sticky strips in the plant to get the adults. Then I sprinkle mosquito bits on the surface of the soil, so when it’s watered the substance goes in and kills the grubs that are eating the roots. I also put the mosquito bits in the drainage tray to further dissolve and into the roots.
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Mealy bugs look more like a tiny sticky cocoon, for lack of a better description. Lately I’ve been treating the jade with an organic spray, soaking it down and removing the cocoons with Q Tips. I’m thinking of repotting it, also, and moving it to another location. It’s confusing and frustrating when the mealies are interested in just this one plant and the other jade is doing so well. Thanks for the advice.
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Oh ok I know what you’re talking about. At Ohio Fish Rescue, they had a bunch of plants lining their monster tank (aka indoor smimming pool) that had it. Is the one with the bugs in a more humid location? Have you tried putting it outside, where natural predators can get rid of them? You’re welcome.
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No to both questions. I need to read up on what temps jades can tolerate before I put it outside.
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It’s not cold tolerant. Only in summertime temps.
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It’s a lovely plant 🌱 and hardy too.
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Sadje, do you have jade plants/trees where you live? I remember when I went to CA I was amazed at the jade trees. Some of them looked ancient. I don’t think they can get that big inside in Michigan, but I wish they could :)
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I have seen small ones in planters but not trees. Perhaps they do grow here, but not in the weather of my city.
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Aww, lovely Little Chaun, and those plants… I have that in my garden, and it just appeared; so that’s what it’s called. Excellent!
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Chris, that’s amazing that the jade just appeared in your garden. They are supposed to be good luck charms.
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Chaun is one good looking doggie. :-)
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Chaun was personality plus. He had an impish nature and a great sense of humor. He loved playing tug of war — because he always won! He knew no fear. He would back down to no dog but he was not a fighter. Thankfully he was small enough for me to pick him up quickly before the bigger dog could attack. I think if would have gotten ahold of a vital part of them he would have won any fight. He was also infinitely loving and adored his humans as much as we adored him. He got a bum deal on a short life. I still miss him.
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I’m sorry for your loss… a dog gives so much to us, and their absence can be very keenly felt.
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Thanks, Chris.
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Oh my! That is an impressive plant! @samanthabwriter from Balancing Act
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She’s part of the family now :)
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Oh, what a glorious Jade! I haven’t had one in years as they’re toxic to cats and I have a kitty who simply can’t resist any flora within reach. But I remember how delightful it was to plant a broken off leaf and watch the magic unfold.
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Thanks, Deborah. I didn’t know they were toxic to cats. My cats have never taken an interest in them. Of of them chewed on a spider plant I had brought in in the fall and made the mistake of leaving on the floor. It was a very expensive mistake! Yes, to see the plants sprout from a lobe is magic :)
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Beautiful Jade plant, and wonderful you’ve kept it going for so long. :)
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Barbara, thanks. I bet you could grow a Hella Big Jade where you live.
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Thanks so much for enlightening me, as I had never heard of jade as a plant but thought it was a gemstone. I loved reading about “Mother Jade” and how you came to own it.
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Astrid, happy to make your acquaintance with Mother Jade. Glad you liked her origin story, thank you.
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Bravo! What a masterpiece. I kill cactus so I am always amazed when people nurture such beautiful plants.
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Violet, best advice for jade plants: lots of light and just the opposite with water. Water will kill them faster than anything.
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aaahhhh what a beautiful plant!
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:)
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I always love the puffy, shiny jade plant leaves but I never knew they were so easy to propagate.Donna: Click for my 2025 A-Z Blog
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Yes, under very light and very dry conditions they will easily grow.
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That plant in the last pictures looks so big.
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It is, Sonia. When the top was ripped off not once, but twice, it spread out.
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That’s an amazing plant, Lisa. It has been through it, but you would never know. I didn’t know jade plants were that hearty and easily replanted. Little Chaun is adorable!
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Thanks, Brenda. I’ll let Mother Jade know you think she’s amazing. They are tough when they have plenty of light and little water. The little ones are easily replanted. The bigger ones, not sure…
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Look at that Jade jungle! Such profusion! I love to see the new green leaf branch growing out of the old brown trunk. It looks very happy in that spot in your house.
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Josna, your comments on the jade are much appreciated. They do seem to be a happy jade family.
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I love jade plants! While most succulents are resilient, jade plant is best. I sometimes forget I have one, because I hardly water it. It doesn’t care. If I water it sometimes more, it still tolerates unlike other succulents. Plus they are so beautiful when leaves look fresh green.
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Fatima, so nice to know you have a jade plant. They make good company :)
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That gorgeous owl has very strong King Julian from Madagascar (2005) vibes.
😁
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So happy he does. Haven’t seen that one yet. Cheers to King Julian!
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