We adore it for its fleshy, glossy leaves, its elegant silhouette, and its reputation as a lucky plant… but when it comes to flowers, the jade plant often plays hard to get. Many plant enthusiasts wonder why theirs remains stubbornly green, year after year. Is it a lack of light? Inadequate watering? The wrong location? Rest assured: with a few well-targeted adjustments and a little patience, this plant can reveal a delicate and unexpected bloom, finally delivering a jade plant flower worthy of its reputation.
The jade tree, a generous plant but demanding in the long term
Native to South Africa, Crassula ovata is a particularly hardy succulent. It tolerates missed waterings very well and adapts to many indoor environments, which explains its immense popularity. But when it comes to producing flowers, it suddenly becomes much more selective.
The first thing to know, and it’s a crucial one, is that only sufficiently mature plants can flower. So there’s no point in scrutinizing the branch tips of a young plant: a jade plant generally needs to be at least ten years old to be ready to offer its famous small, star-shaped flowers, white or slightly pink, which appear in clusters at the end of winter.
Light and placement: finding the right balance
Light plays a key role in flowering. The jade plant thrives in bright locations but dislikes excessive sunlight. Placed behind a sunny window, it will flourish as long as it is not exposed to direct sunlight, especially in summer. Too much exposure can burn its leaves, which may then turn red or develop spots.
The ideal location? A bright room, facing east or west, where the light is soft and consistent. In winter, move it slightly closer to the window: the decrease in natural light can disrupt its cycle, so it’s best to support it during this crucial phase.
Controlled watering: less is often more
