Why people love it
Silver dollar jade is a cousin of the jade plant with a softer, cooler look. Its leaves are almost perfectly round, flat and thick, with a powdery, silver-blue coating and a thin red rim. Like the jade plant, it slowly becomes a sturdy little shrub with a thick trunk.
Care in a nutshell
- Lots of light. Several hours of direct sun keep it compact and silvery. In low light it turns greener and stretches.
- Water less than you think. It handles drought very well. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings.
- Don’t wipe the leaves. The silvery coating is farina, a natural sun shield. Rubbing it off leaves marks that don’t fade.
Growing more
Stem cuttings root easily in spring and summer. Let the cut end dry for a few days, then set it in dry cactus mix. Single leaves can root too, but they’re slower. The propagation guide shows both.
Watch out for
- Soft, wrinkled or dropping leaves can mean too much water or too little. Check the soil before you water.
- Pets. The ASPCA lists it as toxic. Keep it on a high shelf if cats or dogs might chew it.
Fun fact: In winter, mature plants can send up clusters of small, star-shaped white to pale pink flowers.
