Why people love it
Trailing jade has fat, round leaves strung along thin stems, like beads on a necklace. It stays small, grows easily, and spills neatly over the edge of a shelf or a little hanging pot. It isn’t related to the jade plant, and unlike the jade plant, it’s safe around cats and dogs.
Not quite a succulent
Its thick leaves store water, so it’s often sold with succulents. But in the wild it grows on trees, rocks and rotting logs in wet tropical forests. That makes it semi-succulent: it wants more regular water and softer light than desert succulents. It’s a close relative of the string of turtles and needs very similar care.
- Water when the top of the soil is dry, not when the whole pot is bone dry. Let extra water drain away.
- Keep it out of harsh sun. A bright spot near a window, out of strong midday sun, suits it best.
- Normal room humidity is fine. It enjoys more, but doesn’t need it.
- Avoid cold drafts. Keep it away from cold windows and doors in winter.
Growing more
- Snip a stem with a few pairs of leaves.
- Remove the lowest leaves and press the bare part of the stem into moist, airy mix. Or lay the whole stem on the soil so it touches at several points.
- Keep the soil lightly moist until new leaves appear.
Planting several cuttings in one pot fills it out faster.
Watch out for
- Soft, dark or mushy stems at the soil: too much water. Let it dry more between drinks, and check that the pot drains.
- Shriveled, wrinkled leaves: too dry. Water a little more often.
- Long, bare stems with small leaves: it needs more light.
- Pale, scorched patches: too much direct sun.
