Wrinkled jade plumps quickly

We envy a jade's powers of hydration

Jade trees (Crassula ovata) have succulent leaves, probably in answer to managing in the dry, cool winters of its south African home. As houseplants, they're also healthier if kept drier and cooler when the days are short. So we water in winter only when their leaves flatten and even wrinkle a bit.

Below, left: Leaf of a jade ready for water.

Below, right: Same leaf 48 hours later, after we moistened the plant's root zone.