Jade plant Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 3 min read| 2,102 found this helpful

No confirmed toxicity records for Crassula ovata exist in peer-reviewed scientific literature

The plant is not suitable for use as pet or livestock feed despite low toxicity risk

It is easily confused with highly toxic Euphorbia species, which poses accidental poisoning risk

FAQ

Is Jade plant toxic to Humans?

No confirmed adverse symptoms reported from accidental exposure or ingestion (Non-toxic)

Is Jade plant toxic to Cats?

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in cats (Non-toxic)

Is Jade plant toxic to Dogs?

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in dogs (Non-toxic)

Is Jade plant toxic to Horses?

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in horses (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No confirmed adverse symptoms reported from accidental exposure or ingestion

Cats

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in cats

Dogs

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in dogs

Horses

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxicity symptoms documented in horses

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo toxic parts identified; no published records of toxic components in this species

Exposure RouteAccidental ingestion is the only documented potential exposure route for this species

Toxic CompoundsNo toxic secondary metabolites have been documented for this species in available literature

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Rinse mouth thoroughly with clean water if plant material is ingested
• Remove any remaining plant material from the mouth of children or pets immediately
• Monitor for 1-2 hours for any unexpected gastrointestinal discomfort

Contact Vet Immediately

• If your pet ingests large quantities of the plant and shows signs of vomiting or diarrhea
• If you are uncertain if the ingested plant is Jade plant or a toxic Euphorbia lookalike

Prevention

• Clearly label all houseplants to avoid misidentification with toxic Euphorbia species
• Keep the plant out of reach of grazing livestock as it is not suitable for feed
• Educate household members that Jade plant has clear sap when cut, unlike toxic Euphorbia's milky sap

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care only, including fluid administration if gastrointestinal upset occurs after large ingestion
• Confirm plant identification first to rule out exposure to toxic lookalike species

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameCrassula ovata (Mill.) Druce, Crassula argentea Thunb., Crassula portulacea Lam.

AliasesFriendship tree、Lucky plant、Money tree

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No organ toxicity has been reported in any studied species

Mechanism of Action

• No toxic mechanism has been identified for this species, as no toxicity has been documented

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats): No toxicity confirmed, but the plant is not recommended as a feed source due to lack of nutritional data

Small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): No confirmed adverse effects reported, but ingestion of large quantities may cause mild gastrointestinal upset

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Spurge species Euphorbia spp.

Visually similar to Jade plant in some growth forms; Euphorbia species contain toxic milky sap that causes severe irritation, while Jade plant has clear sap when cut.

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Related Toxic Plants

Mother of Millions

Kalanchoe delagoensis

Moderately toxic, causes cardiac toxicity in pets and livestock

Flaming Katy

Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Low to moderately toxic, causes gastrointestinal upset and cardiac abnormalities in pets

Biting Stonecrop

Sedum acre

Low toxic, causes skin and mucosal irritation on contact or ingestion

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.