The jade plant (Crassula ) is a classic favorite for a reason: It's a cinch to grow! This sturdy South African native grows stocky, branched stems with thick, glossy green leaves that are sometimes tinged with red around the edges when grown in full sun. Some varieties have different-looking leaves, such as the variety 'Gollum,' which has leaves that resemble green monster fingers. Over time, jade plants can grow to be several feet tall; however, when grown as a houseplant, they usually stay about a foot tall. They can get a bit top-heavy, so it's a good idea to plant them in a heavier container like terra-cotta. The key to keeping a jade plant happy is to let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Some gardeners only water jade when the leaves start to pucker or lose their shine, but these are actually signs that the plant is already stressed; if you wait that long, it may start to drop leaves.