jade plant

botany, Crassula ovata

Also known as: Crassula ovata

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The jade plant, scientifically known as Crassula ovata, is a succulent plant belonging to the Crassulaceae family. This family, also called the stonecrop family, comprises about 1,400 species found in arid regions worldwide.12

Jade plants are characterized by their thick, fleshy leaves and stems, which store water, an adaptation supported by a specialized photosynthesis system called Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). Native to South Africa, Crassula ovata is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant, often grown in pots or rock gardens. The Crassulaceae family includes other popular ornamental genera such as Sedum, Kalanchoe, and Echeveria.21

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Saxifragales
Major families
…commonly cultivated Crassula ovata (jade plant) is native to South Africa. Sedum (420 species) contains many favourite rock-garden plants, and other species are grown as pot plants. Surprisingly, some species of Crassula have evolved into aquatic plants.
Read More
…commonly cultivated Crassula ovata (jade plant) is native to South Africa. Sedum (420 species) contains many favourite rock-garden plants, and other species are grown as pot plants. Surprisingly, some species of Crassula have evolved into aquatic plants.
Read More