Description of 30 popular types of Jade plants that can be grown indoors

Almost everyone has heard of the Jade Plant, also known as Crassula ovata. After all, it is one of the most popular succulent houseplants. Its attractive glossy leaves and the stunning appearance of a small tree will leave no one indifferent. But many people do not know that there are many varieties of jade plant, each with its own unique characteristics and features. In this article, we will introduce the reader to 30 popular types of Jade Plants and describe their characteristics to help you choose the perfect variety for your indoor garden.

A little information about the Jade Plant and its varieties

Jade plants, also known as Crassula ovata, are native to South Africa and Mozambique. They were first introduced to Europe in the early 1900s and quickly became a popular indoor plant because of their ability to thrive in low light conditions. Over the years, Crassula ovata has been cultivated and hybridized in many parts of the world, resulting in many different varieties of Jade plants with amazing looks.

Crassula ovata, for example, has become so popular that it is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, where it is considered a symbol of good luck and prosperity. This tree is often given as a gift for the Chinese New Year, and is believed to bring wealth and success to the recipient.

Whether you are a long-time fan of jade plants or just starting out, we will provide you with information on the most sought-after varieties of Crassula ovata. Also note that most varieties have mottled forms with uniquely colored leaves.

Types of Jade Plants: Crassula ovata variegata (Alba)

We will begin our review with the variegated form of the plant Crassula ovata, or Money Tree. The variety is named for its variegated leaves, which have creamy white or yellow edges. The variegation can vary in intensity depending on the growing conditions and age of the plant. The leaves can turn completely yellow. They are easily scorched in direct sunlight and quickly shrivel and fall off along with the yellow shoots. This is due to the lack of chlorophyll in the leaves. Such varieties are quite difficult to maintain, with their spotted foliage occurring randomly. It is necessary to control the number of completely yellow leaves and try to remove some of them.

Jade Plant ‘Variegata’ can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall and 2 feet (60 cm) wide.

Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’

The following 6 types of Jade Plants varieties bear names associated with characters in the epic saga of The Lord of the Rings, and together are often referred to as ‘Tolkien succulents’. These Crassula species are notable for their uniquely shaped leaves, which is how they got their names.

The ‘Gollum’ variety is named for its unique foliage, which resembles the character ‘Gollum’ from J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Lord of the Rings. The plant has tubular, pointed leaves that curl inward and look like suction cups. The tree grows up to 3 feet (1 m) tall and was first commercially available in the early 1970s.

Crassula ovata ‘Gollum Variegata’

This is a variegated variety of the jade plant ‘Gollum’. This variety grows more slowly than its green counterpart and needs more light to prevent it from turning green. The variegated version of this tree has yellow or creamy edges to the leaves. Gollum Variegata’ is a slow growing plant that will not grow more than 2 feet (60 cm) tall and 1.5 feet (45 cm) wide. It produces small white or pink flowers in late winter or early spring.

Jade Plant ‘Hobbit’

This variety is similar to ‘Gollum’ with some variation: it also has curled, tubular leaves, but they are rounded rather than pointed, whereas Gollum has tubular leaves with cup-shaped ends, the Hobbit variety has spoon-shaped tubular leaf tips that curl inward. This variety is named after the Hobbit character from J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Lord of the Rings because of its resemblance to the character’s ears.

Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’ is also a slow growing succulent with woody stems that can reach up to 2 ft (60 cm) tall and 1.5 ft (45 cm) wide. The tips of the leaves turn bright red when exposed to bright light.

Jade Plant ‘Skinny Fingers’ or ‘Coral’

This is a cultivar of the well-known cultivar ‘Gollum’. Like its parent variety, ‘Skinny Fingers’ leaves are narrow, tubular in shape, curved at the tip, but longer and thinner at the ends. The leaves are glossy, green in color, turning red or pink at the tips in bright light. This more compact plant can grow up to 2 ft (60 cm) tall and 1 ft (30 cm) wide.

Types of Jade Plants: Crassula ‘Legolas’

A variegated form of the Coral variety. Quite a rare variety. Grows rather slowly. The variegation is floating – the leaves can be completely green or completely yellow and die back.

Jade Plant ‘Red Coral’

This is a succulent hybrid created from Crassula ovata varieties. It gets its name from the unusual coloring of the leaves, which resemble red coral.

The leaves of ‘Red Coral’ are red-green in color, oval in shape, and have pointed tips, just like Gollum. The plant can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall and wide. In bright light the leaves turn a brighter red, but in low light they darken and become more green.

Jade Plant or Crassula ‘Gimli’

The smallest of Tolkien’s succulents. Very slow growing. Requires more frequent watering.

Crassula ovata ‘Froggy’

This is a recently bred variety. Looks similar to ‘Gollum’ but ‘Froggy’ has small growths on the edges of the leaves.

Crassula ovata ‘Ogre Ears’

This is a variety of the Jade Plant or Money Tree. It is named after the character ‘Ogre’ because of its large, pointed and twisted leaves that resemble the ears of an ogre.

This variety is a slow growing succulent that can reach a maximum height of 2 feet (60 cm) and a width of 1.5 feet (45 cm). It has thick, bright green leaves up to 4 inches (10 cm) long. The leaves have a pointed tip that curls downward.

Jade Plant ‘Ladyfingers’

Another variety that resembles the ‘Gollum’ variety.  It is so named because of its long, thin, finger-like leaves. They are cylindrical in shape and grow up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. The color of the leaves is usually medium to dark green, with some variation depending on light and growing conditions. Ladyfingers’ can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall and 2 feet (60 cm) wide, but can be made smaller with pruning.

Jade ‘Ladyfingers’ prefers bright but indirect light and is drought tolerant, withstanding several weeks without water.

Crassula ovata ‘Gandalf’

A new hybrid jade reminiscent of the Gollum variety with tubular leaves and spoon-shaped suckers. The tips of the leaves turn a beautiful shade of red in full sunlight. This variety was created by crossing Crassula ovata “Gollum” with Crassula ovata “Minor”. It is a small and slow growing tree that requires little maintenance.

Jade Plant ‘Red Horn‘

Cultivar bred from the Sunset variety, although very similar to Gollum. It is distinguished by its larger leaves. Their colors can change depending on the season, to almost complete yellowing.

Crassula ‘Return of Beauty’

This variety of Crassula ‘Return of Beauty’ has wavy, variegated leaves. It has cream-colored stripes running down the center of the leaves, and the edges can turn reddish in bright light. During the growing season, entire branches will often grow with fully green leaves. All new green leaves and shoots must be removed or they will crowd out the slow growing variegated leaves. Crassula Return of Beauty grows beautifully, is easy to care for, and branches well.

Jade Plant ‘Maruba Kagetsu Nishiki’

This variety differs from the others in its huge leaves and beautiful branching. The leafy shoots can also turn completely yellow. However, the green colors can return.

Types of Jade Plants: Crassula ‘Campfire’

This variety is named for the bright orange-red color of its leaves, which resemble the flames of a campfire. The plant has thick, fleshy leaves that are bright green when they first appear. As the leaves mature, they take on shades of yellow, orange, and red, creating a stunning display of color. It can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall and was first introduced in the early 2000s.

Its colorful foliage and ease of care make it a favorite among indoor gardeners.

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) ‘Crosby’s Compact’

Other names for this dwarf tree are Crosby’s red jade, Crosby’s dwarf jade, and Crosby’s compact jade. This is a dwarf variety of the standard Crassula ovata. It has small, more rounded leaves than the natural species. When exposed to direct sunlight, Crosby’s compact leaves turn shades of red, yellow, and orange.

Jade plant ‘Blue Bird’

Blue Bird is a relatively new variety of Crassula ovata. This succulent has fleshy, elongated blue-gray leaves with a pink or reddish tinge around the edges. The foliage has a powdery or waxy patina that gives it a unique appearance.

This plant can grow up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall and 8 inches (20 cm) wide, forming a small bush-like structure. Blue Bird’ is drought tolerant and can withstand several weeks without water. It is also relatively resistant to pests and diseases.

There is also a speckled form of Crassula ‘Blue Bird medio variegata’. This is a tree with variegated leaves.

Jade Plant ‘Giant Tricolor’

The name of this variety is a brief description of its appearance – large size and a tricolor pattern on the leaves consisting of green, pink and cream colors. This succulent can produce completely yellow leaves that dry out quickly. The coloration can vary in intensity depending on the growing conditions and the age of the plant. Perfectly amenable to pruning, allowing the formation of a miniature tree. The slowest growing of the Crassula ovata varieties.

Crassula ‘Solana’

This variety looks a lot like Crassula ‘Return of Beauty’, but you can tell them apart by the leaves; Solana has straight leaves and Return of Beauty has wavy leaves. Like Tricolor, it can produce fully green leaves, which should be removed.

Jade Plant ‘Hummel’s Sunset’

This cultivar is named for the striking orange-red hues that appear on its leaves in bright sunlight. The leaves of ‘Hummel’s Sunset’ are thick and fleshy, triangular in shape with pointed tips. Young leaves are green, but with enough light they develop a pinkish-orange color around the edges that can turn red or coppery. The leaves can reach up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length.

This plant can add a unique touch to any indoor or outdoor space and looks great in mixed succulent plantings.

Crassula ovata ‘Hummel’s Ghost’

Reminiscent of Crassula Hummel’s Sunset, but looks brighter throughout the year. Hummel’s Sunset changes the color of its leaves (they are completely green in winter). The tree branches well.

Jade Plant ‘Ripple Jade’

Crassula arborescens undulatifolia ‘Ripple Jade’, also known as ‘Ripple Leaf Jade’, is a variety of jade plant. It is so named for its distinctive rippled or wavy leaves, which give it a unique texture and appearance. Ripple Jade’s leaves are thick, fleshy, egg-shaped and grow up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) wide. The edges of the leaves are wavy and slightly rippled, giving the plant its characteristic texture. The foliage is glossy, dark green and can take on a reddish tinge at the edges when exposed to direct sunlight.

Jade Plant ‘Silver Dollar’

This is a fairly well-known and popular variety of the Crassula ovata plant, also known as the Money Plant. It is so named for its round, silver-green leaves that resemble silver dollars.

The leaves of the silver dollar plant are round or egg-shaped with pointed tips. The leaves start out green, but as they mature they turn a silvery white or grayish color, especially on the upper surface. The plant can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall and 2 feet (60 cm) wide. The Silver Dollar Jade Plant variety is relatively resistant to pests and diseases.

This plant can add a special charm to any room.

Jade Plant ‘Citron and Limes’

Again, this variety is named for its mottled green and yellow leaves, which give the succulent a bright and cheerful appearance. The leaves of the Lemon and Lime Jade Plant are oval with pointed tips. The leaves are initially light green in color, but as they mature, they develop yellowish-green or yellow stripes or spots. The amount and type of mottling can vary from plant to plant.

It can add a bright and vibrant color to any room and looks great in mixed plantings of succulents.

Types of Jade Plants: Crassula ovata ‘Golden Jade’

This tree can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall and was bred in the early 2000s. The leaves are golden yellow that turn red in the sun and are thick and fleshy, oval shaped with pointed tips. Although initially light green in color, as the leaves mature they develop yellowish-green or yellow spots or stripes, eventually turning golden yellow. The amount and type of mottling can vary from plant to plant.

Jade Plant ‘Harbour Lights’

This cultivar gets its name from its variegated leaves, which are dark green in the center and edged with creamy white stripes with a reddish tint, making them appear to glow.

‘Harbour Lights’ leaves are oval with pointed tips. It can grow to a height of 3 feet (90 cm) and a width of 1 foot (30 cm). The amount and character of the mottling can vary from plant to plant.

Jade plant ‘Sunset’

This variety got its name ‘Sunset’ because of its unique leaf coloring, which combines green, yellow, pink and red hues reminiscent of sunset colors. The leaves are oval shaped, arranged in groups on sturdy stems and can grow up to 2 inches (5 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide. The color of the leaves will vary depending on the amount of sunlight the plant receives, with more direct sunlight resulting in brighter and richer colors.

Crassula ovata ‘Minima’

This variety is one of the most compact, slow-growing cultivars of the popular Jade (Crassula ovata) plant. In other words, “Minima” is a miniature version of the Jade plant, with much smaller leaves than the natural species. This succulent usually grows to a maximum height of about 6 inches (15 cm) and a width of about 8 inches (20 cm). The leaves are also more compact and densely arranged on the stem, giving the plant a dense, bushy appearance. The leaves are glossy, green in color and sometimes tinted red or brown around the edges if the succulent is grown under bright direct sunlight.

Types of Jade Plants: ‘Little Jade Tree’

This cultivar has a number of distinctive characteristics that set it apart from the standard Crassula ovata. It is a small shrub that typically grows to 1-2 feet tall (30-60 cm) and 1-2 feet wide (30-60 cm). However, under optimal conditions, it can grow to 3 feet (90 cm). The leaves are small, round, 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) wide. The leaves are a rich green color, and may sometimes have red or brown edges if the tree is in direct sunlight.

In conclusion, there are more types of Jade Plants every year, and they are all great choices for houseplants because of their irresistible appearance. Whether you prefer the classic Crassula or one of the many unique and colorful varieties, there is a jade plant for everyone. So feel free to add this succulent to your collection and enjoy its beautiful appearance. Happy gardening!