The jade plant (Crassula ovata) is a succulent that originated in South Africa and has been cultivated for thousands of years. It’s also known as money tree, friendship tree and lucky plant. This slow-growing shrub can live for 100 years or more with proper care.
Jade plants have thick, fleshy leaves and stems with smooth edges that resemble jade stones. They produce clusters of small white or purple flowers in summertime followed by red berries that attract birds to your garden!
Jade plants are an excellent choice for adding some greenery to your home. Here’s everything you need to know about how much sun jade plants need, the best time of year to grow them, what soil they prefer, how often to water them, and more!
What You Need to Know About Jade Plants
The jade plant is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for houseplant. It’s also known as the friendship tree or money tree, because of its long history of being associated with good luck. Jade plants grow well in most climates and require indirect sunlight and little water once established. In fact, these plants can even survive indoors for months at a time if cared for properly!
The hardiest varieties can even tolerate temperatures below freezing without damage so long as they receive enough light each day.
Jade Plants Love the Sun but in Moderation
Jade plants are native to the tropics, where they thrive on lots of light. However, jade plant owners in temperate climates should be careful not to give their plants too much direct sunlight. In fact, jade plants actually prefer indirect sunlight–they don’t like being in direct sun at all!
The best way to ensure that your jade gets enough light is by placing it near a window with a southern exposure (or eastern if you live in the Southern Hemisphere). If this isn’t an option for you and/or if your house doesn’t have large windowsills, try setting up shop near an artificial grow light instead.
If you live in a colder climate, keep your jade plant indoors all year long. Jade plants are succulents and therefore not frost tolerant. In fact, they can only withstand temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for short periods of time before suffering damage or death.
Jade Plants Need Light
If you want to keep your jade plant healthy, it’s important to know how much sunlight it needs. A jade plant can thrive in a variety of conditions, but they need a lot of light. They can be grown indoors or outdoors and are usually quite hardy plants that don’t require too much attention. They will not like being overwatered though, so make sure you water them only when the soil feels dry at least an inch below the surface!
Best Time of the Year to Grow Jade Plants for Sunlight Exposure
Jade plants require bright, indirect sunlight to thrive. They can tolerate some direct sunlight, but too much can scorch the leaves. Therefore, the best time of year to grow jade plants for the best sunlight exposure depends on your location and the amount of sunlight available throughout the year.
If you live in a region with mild winters and plenty of sunshine, such as California or Florida, you can grow jade plants outdoors year-round. Spring and summer are the best times to grow jade plants outdoors in these regions, as they receive the most sunlight during these months.
If you live in a region with cold winters and limited sunlight, such as the Northeast or Midwest, it’s best to grow jade plants indoors or in a greenhouse. During the winter months, the days are shorter, and the sunlight is weaker, so it’s essential to provide supplemental lighting for your jade plant to ensure it receives enough light.
Takeaway
If you want to keep your jade plant alive, it’s important that you provide it with plenty of light and water. If the leaves start turning brown, try moving the plant into an area with less direct sunlight or shading it with curtains or blinds.