How to Plant Jade Trees

Jade plants are tough and easy-to-grow succulents. Plant the specimen indoors or out, depending on where you live. Jade thrives in warm and dry conditions. According to the University of Florida IFAS Extension, jade has been grown in the driest parts of California successfully. The plant lives for a long time and develops into a bush or tree that is up to 5 feet tall. The leaves are dark green, blue-gray or green with red edges. At maturity, the trunk can measure 6 inches in diameter.

• 1

  Plant jade trees in a location that gets at least four hours of full sun if you're outdoors or bright filtered light indoors. A window that faces south is ideal. The daytime temperature should be 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. At night, it can drop to 50 to 55 degrees.

• 2

  Combine organic matter with cactus mix to prevent root rot. Another option is to mix 1 part sphagnum peat moss, 1 part sterilized organic soil and 3 parts coarse sand by volume.

• 3

  Dig a hole outdoors if your region is hot and dry enough. Make the hole wider than the roots of the jade plant. Pour some of the soil mix into the hole. Place the plant on top and surround it with more soil mix. Press down lightly to remove air pockets.

• 4

  Put the jade tree in a container that is large enough to hold its roots. The plant can live for years root-bound, so extra space is not a concern. Fill the pot with the soil mix, pressing down to remove air pockets.

• 5

  Water the soil in the spring and summer to keep it moist but not wet. Provide infrequent deep waterings. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings in the winter. Although it's a succulent, jade trees cannot deal with drought. They will suffer leaf spotting, leaf drop and dwarfing.

• 6

  Feed jade plants with a liquid houseplant fertilizer three to four times a year. Space the feedings out to once every three to four months.

• 7

  Re-pot jade plants when new growth starts in the spring. Although they do fine when root-bound, you can move them to larger containers if they become top-heavy. Let the soil dry out after transplanting. Wait four months before fertilizing re-potted plants.