Jade plant
Crassula argentea (Crassulaceae)
Also called Baby Jade, Dwarf rubber plant, Jade tree, Chinese rubber plant, Japanese rubber plant.
Cats and dogs
Toxic to cats and dogs
What makes it toxic: Unknown.
Signs to watch for: Vomiting, depression, incoordination
Source: ASPCA entry "Jade Plant", checked October 3, 2026.
Light
- Low light 3+ mol
- Medium light 6+ mol
- Bright indirect 10+ mol Copes
- Direct sun 12+ mol Best
Jade plant does best in a sunny window with at least four hours of direct sun, but it can survive in bright, indirect light. With too little light, stems droop and the leaves stay deep green.
Direct sun: needs several hours a day.
On our scale it grows well from about 12 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 2.2 (how these numbers are set).
Care
Care level: Easy. Water: Let the soil dry between waterings and water less in fall and winter; overwatering is the most common problem.
Leaf edges turn reddish when the plant gets enough light.
Pet-safe plants for similar light
- Burro's tail direct sun
- Echeveria (hens and chickens) direct sun
- Ponytail palm direct sun
- Venus flytrap direct sun
- Areca palm bright indirect light
- Basil direct sun
Sources
- Toxicity: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, "Jade Plant"
- Light and care: University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension (Wisconsin Horticulture), "Jade Plant, Crassula ovata"
- Light and care: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, "How do I care for a jade plant?"
- Light and care: Illinois Extension, "Lighting | Houseplants"