Plants Similar to Jade Plant

The jade plant, also known as the money plant or lucky plant (Crassula ovata), is a popular succulent houseplant known for its lush, oval-shaped green leaves and easy care requirements. With its vibrant foliage and shrub-like growth habit, the jade plant adds lively greenery to both indoor and outdoor spaces.

If you’re a fan of the jade plant, you may be looking for other plants that have a similar appearance and care needs. The good news is there are plenty of jade plant lookalikes and relatives that make excellent alternatives. Here are some of the top picks for plants similar to jade plant to grow yourself.

Portulacaria Afra (Elephant Bush)

One of the plants most frequently compared to the jade plant is portulacaria afra, also known as elephant bush. Like jade plant, elephant bush is a succulent that stores water in its leaves and stems. It has small, rounded deep green leaves on woody stems that give it a miniaturized jade plant appearance.

Elephant bush makes an excellent houseplant tolerating low light and infrequent waterings. It can reach up to 6 feet tall and wide outdoors in its native habitat of South Africa, but typically tops out under 3 feet when grown as a container plant.

Crassula Varieties

The jade plant belongs to the Crassula genus which contains over 300 species. Many Crassula varieties closely resemble the classic jade plant in terms of leaf shape, growth habit, and care requirements Popular jade lookalikes include

• Silver dollar plant (Crassula arborescens) – blue-green coin shaped leaves
• Ripple jade (Crassula arborescens undulatifolia) – ruffled, wavy leaves
• Crassula ovata ‘Hobbit’ – spoon shaped leaves
• Crassula ovata ‘Gollum’ – tubular leaves
• Variegated jade (Crassula ovata ‘Variegata’) – white-variegated leaves

Sedum Rubrotinctum (Jelly Bean Plant)

Like Crassula and jade plant, sedum are succulents that store water in their leaves. The jelly bean plant (Sedum rubrotinctum) is a standout variety due to its plump bean-shaped leaves that resemble tiny jelly beans. The leaves are a bright green to lime green color.

Jelly bean plants stay relatively small, reaching 4-8 inches tall and spreading up to 18 inches wide. Their trailing stems make them popular in hanging baskets and container gardens. Hardy to zone 10, they can also be grown outdoors in frost-free climates.

Haworthia

Haworthia is a large genus of small succulents, many of which have a similar appearance to jade plants. They are native to South Africa and have compact rosettes of fleshy green leaves. Popular varieties include:

• Zebra plant (Haworthia fasciata) – pointed dark green leaves with white bands
• Haworthia limifolia – long, triangular, upright leaves
• Haworthia cooperi – plump, rounded windowpane-like leaves

Like jade plants, most haworthia stay relatively small, under 6 inches tall. They thrive in bright, indirect light and require minimal watering.

Graptopetalum Paraguayense (Ghost Plant)

Also called ghost plant or mother of pearl plant, graptopetalum paraguayense has plump leaves similar in shape to the jade plant. The main difference is its gray-blue coloration and pearl-like leaf surface. Ghost plants form rosettes up to 6 inches wide. The leaves lighten to a pale blue-gray color when the plant is stressed by too much sun or lack of water.

Hardy to zone 9b, ghost plant does best outdoors in warm climates but can also thrive as a houseplant. Average room temperatures and bright light is ideal. Water when the soil dries out to the touch.

Non-Succulent Jade Lookalikes

While succulents like Crassula and sedum bear the closest resemblance to jade plants, there are a few non-succulent plants that also act as jade plant doppelgängers.

Pachira Aquatica (Money Tree)

Also nicknamed the money tree plant, Pachira aquatica is a tropical indoor plant known for its thick braided trunk and vibrant palmate leaves. Its lush appearance and association with good fortune and prosperity has earned it the common name money tree. The leaves are a darker, shinier green than jade plant and the growth habit is more like a miniature tree. Money trees can grow up to 60 feet tall in their native habitat, but indoor plants are usually maintained around 4-6 feet.

Callisia Repens (Turtle Vine)

For a hanging basket plant that mimics the look of variegated jade plant, try turtle vine. This vining houseplant has rounded, fleshy leaves variegated in shades of cream, light green and dark green. It has a trailing habit ideal for hanging baskets and container gardens.Turtle vine needs bright, indirect light to maintain its leaf colors. Water when the top inch of soil becomes dry. It can tolerate some drought but avoid keeping the soil sopping wet.

Hoya Carnosa ‘Jade’

Although not a true jade plant, Hoya carnosa ‘Jade’ is often included in collections for its similar lush, green foliage. This vining Hoya cultivar has rounded, succulent leaves without variegation. It produces clusters of pink-white flowers when mature. For the fullest foliage, grow Hoya ‘Jade’ in bright indirect light and water when the top inch of soil dries out.

Pilea Peperomioides (Chinese Money Plant)

The coin-shaped, green to blue-green leaves of pilea peperomioides have earned it the nickname Chinese money plant. Native to China, pilea is not a succulent but it has very similar care needs and growth habits as the jade plant. It thrives in moderately bright, indirect light with infrequent watering. Pilea plants typically reach 10-12 inches tall and wide when grown indoors.

Caring for Jade Plant Lookalikes

One reason jade plant alternatives like Crassula and sedum make excellent stand-ins is their shared care requirements. Here are some key tips for growing jade plant lookalikes:

• Light – Most prefer bright, indirect light indoors. Some, like jelly bean plant, need 4+ hours a day of direct sunlight. Variegated plants need bright light to maintain leaf colors.
• Water – Allow soil to dry out between waterings. Water less frequently in winter.
• Soil – Use a well-draining cactus/succulent potting mix.
• Fertilizer – Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.
• Temperature – Average room temperatures between 65-80°F are ideal. Some tolerate high heat better than others.
• Humidity – Average humidity is fine. Increase humidity for tropical plants like Pachira.
• Repotting – Repot in spring every 2-3 years in fresh potting mix. Use containers with drainage holes.

With proper care, jade plant lookalikes like Crassula, sedum, and haworthia make excellent long-lasting houseplants. Their low maintenance needs and resilience against imperfect growing conditions make them ideal for beginner plant parents too. Grow these jade plant doppelgängers together to create a visually pleasing indoor succulent garden.