How often does my Jade (Crassula ovata) need water?
The common Jade plant, Crassula ovata, is one member of a large family of plants, the Crassulaceae. Most members are from the old world, although a few are from the Western Hemisphere. This FAQ will discuss the Jade plants, and other similar species can be treated similarly. Crassulas are generally succulents, and will usually grow a new plant from a single leaf. Few are frost tolerant, although temps. just above freezing will promote bloom. They grow outside only in a few areas of the US and Europe, so the focus here is on Jades as houseplants. When days grow short and nights are cool, Jade plants in habitat recieve most of their yearly rain and also do the majority of their growing. Often times the Jades in the house also react by shedding copious amounts of leaves, leading many people to water their plant. This is to be avoided because the result can be a sudden collapse of the plant. Always allowing the plant to get very dry before watering thoroughly will keep the plant healthy. T
