Plant · GBIF taxon 5362063
Crassula ovata
crassula ovataAlso known as Money Tree, Lucky Plant, Friendship Tree, Dollar Plant
Jade plants feature thick, woody stems and smooth, fleshy green leaves that store water to survive prolonged droughts. Clusters of delicate, star-shaped white or pink flowers bloom during cool winter months when exposed to bright light and lower temperatures. In native habitats along rocky South African slopes, these resilient succulents stabilize arid soils and provide nectar for local pollinators.
SucculentDrought-TolerantFlowering
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Mealybugs
- Scale Insects
- Vine Weevils
ThreatsOverwatering, root rot, habitat degradation in wild range
HabitatsRocky hillsides, arid scrublands, cultivated gardens
Life span50 to 100 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderSaxifragales
- FamilyCrassulaceae
- GenusCrassula
- Speciescrassula ovata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Toxic to dogs and cats if ingested; keep plants out of reach of house pets.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains unidentified chemical compounds that cause vomiting, lethargy, and slow heart rate in cats and dogs when chewed.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Recognizable by thick, oval leaves with smooth edges and woody branching stems that mimic a small tree.
- What to do
- Keep container plants well above pet height and sweep up any shed foliage promptly.
Responsible observation
- Light Needs: Provide bright, indirect sunlight or direct morning sun to promote compact growth and red leaf margins.
- Watering Protocol: Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings to protect roots from rot.
- Pet Safety: Position pots on high shelves to prevent curious cats and dogs from chewing leaves.
Look-Alike (c) Shaun Swanepoel, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Shaun Swanepoel · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Ian Webb, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Ian Webb · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Groogle / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.