IS IT just an impression of mine, or has the jade vine become less popular over the last years? That would be a shame: it's one of the more stunning and easy to care for plant you can dream of.
So, give it a thought, and find a spot to install a jade vine.
To start with, select a support structure before you plant your climber: support trellises, wires, strings, existing structures ... A friend of mine sent her jade vine up a frangipani tree to great effect. The frangipani's white blooms mix well with the blue/green of the vine.
The plant grows quite easily from semi-hardwood cuttings placed in a pot with a nice, loamy soil and a plastic bag over the whole thing, until rooting has taken place. Simply covering part of the vine with soil works well too! The vine only matures enough to flower after two years. Believe me, though: it is worth the wait!
CARE OF JADE VINE
Remember that the jade vine is a succulent. As such, it can't take over-watering. The best method is to water thoroughly, then let the soil dry out almost com-pletely before watering again. Fertilise monthly, and repot annually if you're growing this one in a pot. In Jamaica, the jade vine is a prolific grower and is usually placed in full sun, although spending a few hours in the shade will keep it happy as well.
Make sure that the vine has space as the blooms are up to one metre long and need to hang like wisteria to really show off how spectacular they are! As this plant does not bloom on new wood, occasional severe pruning is fine (and needed).
Bear in mind that the foliage causes a minor itching sensation so prune with your gloves on, especially if you are prone to allergies! This vine blooms most heavily in late winter and early spring.
There is also a red variety.
It's stunning too but less
vigorous.
TIP: Five-year-old jades in potted jade vine or in garden beds will bloom with surpris-ingly sweet, pink, starlike
flowers ... after five years.
