There are several main types of jade plants, most of which are cultivars of Crassula ovata. Popular jade plant varieties include classic jade, Gollum jade, Hobbit jade, Crosby’s Compact, and colourful forms such as Hummel’s Sunset and Red Coral, each with distinct leaf shapes and growth habits.
This guide explains the most popular types of jade plants, how to identify them, and which varieties are best suited to homes, bonsai, or small spaces.
| Jade Plant Variety | Leaf Shape | Mature Size | Leaf Colour | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crassula ovata (Classic Jade) | Oval, fleshy | Up to 3 ft (90 cm) | Solid green | Beginners, bonsai, houseplants |
| ‘Skinny Fingers’ | Thin, tubular | 2–3 ft | Green with red tips | Modern interiors, statement plants |
| ‘Minima’ (Mini Jade) | Small, rounded | Up to 2.5 ft (75 cm) | Green with red edges | Small spaces, desks, terrariums |
| ‘Red Coral’ | Curved, tubular | Up to 3 ft | Green with red/orange tips | Colour contrast, bright light |
| ‘Pink Beauty’ | Rounded, fleshy | 2–3 ft | Green with pink tones | Flowering displays, ornamental use |
| ‘Gollum’ | Trumpet-shaped | 2–4 ft | Green with red edges | Unusual forms, indoor collections |
| ‘Hobbit’ | Tubular, curled | Up to 3 ft | Deep green with red tips | Bonsai, compact displays |
| ‘Crosby’s Compact’ | Rounded, thick | Up to 3 ft | Green with red margins | Windowsills, small bonsai |
| ‘Hummel’s Sunset’ | Rounded, upright | 2–3 ft | Green, yellow, red | Colourful foliage, bright rooms |
| ‘Botany Bay’ | Broad, flat | 2–3 ft | Blue-green with red edges | Neat containers, indoor growing |
The Crassula ovata, often called the classic jade plant, is one of the most recognisable succulents. It has fleshy oval leaves, thick woody stems, and a slow but steady growth habit. Over time, it can form a small tree-like shape, making it a popular choice for both pots and bonsai.
These types of crassula are more than just ornamental indoor plants. In many cultures, they symbolise prosperity, wealth, and friendship, which is why it’s often nicknamed the money plant or friendship tree. As an easy-to-care succulent, it is often given as a feng shui gift for new homes or businesses.
Care requirements are similar to other jade plants, requiring bright light, well-draining soil, and infrequent watering. Growth slows significantly in winter, when watering should be reduced.
Propagation is simple. New plants can be grown from leaf or stem cuttings. Place them in dry, well-draining soil and water lightly once roots begin to form.
With the right care, a jade plant can thrive for decades and even be passed down through generations.
Crassula ovata ‘Skinny Fingers’, often called Skinny Fingers Jade or ET’s Fingers Jade, is a quirky cultivar of the jade plant family. This variety is easily identified by its thin, elongated, cylindrical leaves that look like narrow fingers. Unlike the more round-shaped leaves of standard jade, this one has a more upright and spindly growth habit.
The tips of the leaves may stay green or develop a red hue when grown in bright light. This subtle colour shift makes the plant more eye-catching without being overly flashy. Mature plants usually reach about 2–3 feet tall and 1–2 feet wide, making them a good size for both pots and small garden spaces.
Care is similar to standard jade plants, with bright light helping maintain its upright form. Well-draining soil and allowing the soil to dry between waterings are essential to prevent root rot.
With its unusual leaf shape and easy-going care, Skinny Fingers Jade makes a fun addition to any jade plant collection.
Crassula ovata ‘Minima’, also called the Mini Jade or Baby Jade, is a dwarf cultivar of the classic jade plant. It stays much smaller than the standard Crassula ovata, usually reaching about 75 cm tall and spreading up to 50 cm wide. This makes it perfect for compact spaces.
This variety features rounded, glossy green leaves with reddish edges, which often cluster tightly together. The growth habit is dense and bushy, giving it a neat, sculpted look without much effort. In winter, it produces small star-shaped pink flowers that add a subtle splash of colour.
This dwarf jade follows the same basic care as other Crassula varieties, preferring bright light, dry soil between waterings, and minimal winter moisture. Excessive direct midday sun should be avoided due to its smaller leaves.
This variety is especially well-suited to terrariums, small pots, or desktop displays. Its slow growth and tidy form make it easy to manage in limited spaces.
This compact jade is an easy way to enjoy the look of Crassula ovata without needing much room.
Crassula ovata ‘Red Coral’, often called Red Coral Jade, stands out with its unusual, tubular leaves. The foliage curves inward and develops bright red to orange tips when grown in strong light, giving it a coral-like appearance. This makes it one of the more eye-catching jade plant varieties for indoor or outdoor growing.
This variety grows slowly but can eventually reach around 90 cm (3 feet) in height when mature. The plant produces small clusters of white, star-shaped flowers during the growing season if it receives enough sunlight.
Bright light is required to maintain its red colouring, while well-draining soil and infrequent watering support healthy growth. This variety is not frost-tolerant and should be protected from cold temperatures.
Because it is toxic to pets, it should be kept out of reach of cats and dogs. With the right care, Red Coral Jade adds both colour and structure to any plant collection.
Most jade plants are associated with glossy green leaves and white flowers. Crassula ovata ‘Pink Beauty’, often called the Pink Beauty jade, stands out because it produces clusters of soft pink blooms in autumn and winter. This makes it more ornamental than many other jade varieties.
The leaves are rounded, fleshy, and edged with a pink tint when grown in bright light. In lower light, they stay mostly green. Growth is slower compared to the standard jade plant, which makes it easier to manage in containers or small spaces.
Care follows standard jade plant requirements, with bright, indirect light supporting foliage colour and flowering. Reduced watering and cooler night temperatures can help encourage blooms in autumn and winter.
Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’, often called Gollum Jade, is a distinctive cultivar of the popular jade plant family. This variety is easily recognised by its tubular, trumpet-shaped leaves that sometimes flare at the tips like tiny suction cups. Many leaves also develop red edges when grown in bright light.
This plant forms a compact, shrub-like shape, making it an excellent choice for windowsills, desks, or small garden spaces. Unlike some sprawling succulents, it tends to stay neat and upright. Mature plants can slowly reach around 60–120 cm in height, though growth remains steady and manageable indoors.
Gollum Jade requires the same care as other jade varieties, including bright light, fast-draining soil, and minimal watering. Overwatering is the most common cause of decline.
Gollum Jade is valued for its unusual appearance and resilience. It’s a practical, low-maintenance succulent that fits well into both indoor and outdoor collections.
The Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’, often called Hobbit Jade or Hobbit Jade Plant, is a compact succulent that stands out for its unusual leaf shape. Its leaves curl inward into tube-like forms, resembling small funnels or “hobbit feet”. This feature makes it easy to distinguish it from the more common jade plant.
As a slow-growing variety, it usually reaches about 90 cm (3 ft) in height. The stems start off fleshy and green but gradually become woody with age, giving the plant a miniature tree-like appearance. This makes it especially popular for bonsai styling.
The leaves typically remain a rich green, but with enough direct sunlight, the tips often develop a reddish tint. Too much strong sun, however, may scorch the leaves, so it’s best to provide bright light with some protection during the hottest part of the day.
This variety follows typical jade plant care, thriving in bright light with dry soil between waterings. Pruning can be used to maintain shape or encourage a bonsai-style form.
Crosby’s Compact is a dwarf jade plant cultivar of the well-known Crassula ovata. It stays much smaller than the standard variety, usually reaching around 90 cm (3 ft) in height. The leaves are thick, rounded, and often edged with red, especially when exposed to bright light or cooler temperatures.
The branches grow tightly together, giving the plant a dense, compact look. New leaves sometimes appear flushed with red, which adds extra colour interest. The small, white, star-shaped flowers appear in clusters during late autumn and winter.
Care is the same as that of other jade plants, though bright light helps maintain its compact shape. Well-draining soil and infrequent watering are essential to prevent leggy growth or root rot.
Because of its small size and neat growth habit, Crosby’s Compact works especially well in miniature bonsai collections, windowsills, or small indoor displays. Its tidy form makes it a favourite among jade plant enthusiasts who want a manageable yet attractive variety.
Crassula ovata ‘Hummel’s Sunset’, often called Golden Jade or Hummel’s Sunset Jade, is a colourful cultivar of the classic jade plant. This variety is easily identified by its upright growth and leaves edged with yellow and red tones that intensify in bright light.
Bright sunlight is needed to maintain its yellow and red leaf edges, while standard jade care practices apply. This variety should be kept indoors during winter in cooler climates, as it does not tolerate frost.
With the right care, Hummel’s Sunset Jade becomes a compact, colourful succulent that adds warmth to any collection.
Crassula ovata ‘Botany Bay’, often called the Botany Bay Jade, is a compact and slow-growing cultivar of the classic jade plant. It was first introduced to the market in 2011 by Garden Gate Nursery in Dural, Australia. This variety has become popular for its neat form and attractive red-edged foliage.
This plant is recognised by its dense, upright growth and blue-green leaves. The leaves are slightly broader and flatter than those of typical jade plants, giving them a larger surface area. When exposed to direct sunlight, the leaf margins develop a distinct red outline that makes the plant stand out.
Care is similar to other jade plants, with bright light enhancing leaf colour and well-draining soil preventing root issues. Occasional pruning helps maintain its compact, upright form.
This plant is well-suited for containers, small gardens, or indoor spaces where a manageable jade with reliable colour and form is desired. Its size and tidy habit make it easier to maintain compared with larger Crassula ovata types.
Start with what the space can offer. The most common mistake when choosing between jade plant varieties is selecting based on appearance alone without considering light availability. Hummel’s Sunset and Red Coral are striking when grown in bright light, but in a north-facing room, both will revert to plain green and lose most of their visual appeal. Classic Crassula ovata and Hobbit Jade are the most adaptable across a wider range of light conditions.
In our experience at Miyagi Bonsai, the varieties that perform most consistently for UK indoor growers are classic Crassula ovata, Hobbit Jade, and Crosby’s Compact; all of which maintain good structure and visual interest across the variable light levels of a typical UK home without specialist care.
Miyagi Bonsai stocks a carefully chosen range of jade plants alongside pots, succulent soils, and care accessories, with next working day UK delivery available on most orders. The products and recommendations in this guide reflect what we stock, use and see working for our customers every day. We are rated 5 stars across over 100 Google reviews, and our team is on hand by email and phone if you have any questions about jade plant varieties, identification, or care.
Jade plants come in many different forms, which often leads to questions about identification, care, and suitability for homes and pets. The answers below address the most common questions people ask about types of jade plants, including how many varieties exist, how to tell them apart, and which jade plants are best for beginners or indoor growing.
There are dozens of recognised jade plant cultivars, most of which are varieties of Crassula ovata. While the Crassula genus contains over 300 species, only a smaller number are commonly grown as houseplants, including classic jade, Gollum, Hobbit, Crosby’s Compact, and several colourful variegated forms.
A jade plant can be identified by examining leaf shape, size, colour, and growth habit. Rounded leaves usually indicate classic jade types, while tubular or curled leaves suggest varieties like Gollum or Hobbit. Compact size and dense branching often point to dwarf cultivars such as Minima or Crosby’s Compact.
Crassula ovata, often called the classic jade plant, is the best choice for most homes. It adapts well to indoor conditions, tolerates occasional watering mistakes, and grows slowly without becoming unmanageable. Its sturdy structure and low maintenance needs make it ideal for beginners and indoor environments.
A jade tree is not a separate species but a mature jade plant that has developed thick, woody stems and a tree-like shape. With age and proper care, many jade plants naturally grow into small, branching forms that resemble miniature trees, especially when pruned or grown as bonsai.
Jade leaves turn red or orange when exposed to bright sunlight or environmental stress such as cool temperatures. Increased light causes pigments to develop along leaf edges, creating red, pink, or orange tones. This colour change is usually normal and indicates adequate light rather than a health problem.
Yes, jade plants are toxic to pets, including cats and dogs. Ingesting jade leaves or stems can cause vomiting, lethargy, coordination issues, and gastrointestinal upset. Although symptoms are usually mild, jade plants should be kept out of reach of pets to prevent accidental ingestion and potential health risks.
The classic Crassula ovata is the most beginner-friendly jade plant. It tolerates infrequent watering, adapts well to indoor light conditions, and recovers easily from minor care mistakes. Its slow growth and simple requirements make it an excellent choice for first-time succulent or houseplant owners.
Hobbit Jade (Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’) and Gollum Jade (Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’) are the most popular jade varieties for bonsai styling. Both develop thick, woody stems naturally over time and produce the compact, tree-like structure that bonsai styling requires. Their unusual tubular leaves also add visual character that standard jade plants lack. Crosby’s Compact is a reliable alternative for smaller bonsai pots, as its naturally dense, tightly branched growth habit requires less structural pruning to achieve a well-proportioned form. All three varieties respond well to light pruning, wire training, and progressive repotting into smaller containers, the standard bonsai development approach.
Among commercially available jade plant cultivars, Crassula ovata ‘Botany Bay’ is one of the more recently introduced and less widely available varieties, first released in 2011 by Garden Gate Nursery in Australia. Some variegated forms of Crassula ovata, including occasionally available white-variegated cultivars, are also less commonly stocked than standard varieties. Rarity varies by region and supplier. At Miyagi Bonsai, we stock a carefully selected range of jade varieties and can advise on availability if a specific cultivar is being sought.
Yes, different jade plant varieties can be grown together in the same pot or display, provided they share the same basic care needs. All Crassula ovata cultivars prefer bright light, well-draining soil, and infrequent watering, which makes them highly compatible. Combining varieties with contrasting leaf shapes, such as classic jade alongside Gollum or Hobbit, creates a visually interesting mixed planting. Varieties with colourful foliage, such as Hummel’s Sunset or Red Coral, benefit from being given a position with maximum light exposure to maintain their leaf colour, which may need to be factored into placement when mixing with lower-light-tolerant varieties. Avoid combining jade plants with non-succulent species that require more frequent watering, as this will conflict with the low-water needs of all jade varieties.
