Family: Crassulaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Crassula ovata, commonly known as jade plant, is a succulent shrub native to South Africa and Mozambique. It has thick, woody stems and fleshy, oval-shaped leaves that store water, giving it excellent drought tolerance. Jade plant is best known as a popular houseplant and ornamental, valued for its low maintenance needs, long lifespan, and association with good luck in some cultures. In warm climates, it can also be grown outdoors as a landscape plant, where it may develop into a small, tree-like form with white to pale pink star-shaped flowers.

Risks, Threats & Management
Jade plant is considered low risk overall, but it has become naturalized on Kauaʻi, indicating it can persist outside cultivation under favorable conditions. Its ability to reproduce vegetatively from broken stems or leaves means it can spread locally if garden waste is improperly disposed of. While it is not currently known to cause significant ecological harm, continued spread could displace other vegetation in dry or disturbed areas. Responsible management includes keeping plants contained, promptly cleaning up fallen plant material, and avoiding disposal of cuttings in natural areas.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized on Kaua'i
  
• Repeatedly introduced worldwide
  
• Congeneric species is invasive
  
• Tolerates shade
  
• Produces viable seeds
  
• Reproduces vegetatively (cuttings/leaves)
  
• Intentionally dispersed by humans
  
• Potential wind/water seed dispersal
  
• Long time to maturity (~4 years)

Low Risk Traits:

• Not a weed
  
• Not toxic
  
• Not a major pest host
  
• No fire hazard
  
• No unintentional dispersal
  
• No persistent seed bank
  
• Slow growth and poor recovery