HOW TO GROW AND CARE FOR JADE PLANTS

Jade plants are succulent houseplants, which makes them fairly resilient and easy to grow indoors—plus, they’re long-lived. Jade plants were absolutely everywhere in the 1970s — they were the quintessential houseplant growing in hanging macramé planters. Now macramé is hot again and, thankfully, jade plants really never went away. That’s because they are some of the easiest houseplants to grow. 

With their thick, woody stems and oval-shaped leaves, jade plants have a miniature, tree-like appearance that makes them very appealing for use as a decorative houseplant. They live for a very long time, often being passed down from generation to generation and reaching heights of three feet or more when grown indoors. Jade plants adapt well to the warm, dry conditions found in most homes. Many people enjoy growing jade plants in their homes and offices, and they are considered to be symbols of good luck. But you do not need to be lucky to learn what the proper care and maintenance of jade plants are. Keep reading to learn how to care for a jade plant.

Jade Plant Varieties

While there are over 1,400 types of jade plants, some of the most common cultivars include 'Tricolor' (grows pink flowers at certain times of the year), 'Variegata' (ivory leaves streaked with green), 'Sunset' (yellow leaves with red tips), 'Red' (reddish-purple leaves), 'Monstruosa Hobbit' (curled yellow-green leaves), 'Monstruosa Gollum' (elongated leaves), 'Copper' (green leaves with a bronze edge), 'Bluebird' (gray-blue leaves with red tips), and 'Ripple Leaf' (wavy-edged leaves).

HOW TO PLANT JADE PLANTS

Where to grow

Jade plants can be grown indoors as houseplants, or outside year-round in warmer regions. Houseplants benefit from being moved outdoors in summer, responding to the additional sunlight and warmer weather with increased vigor, growth, and color. Move to an area such as a patio or porch that receives some direct sun, acclimating slowly to prevent shock and foliage burn. Bring back indoors in fall when nighttime temperatures drop to 50 degrees F.

Pot requirements

Jade plants don't mind being root-bound in a small pot. In fact, keeping them root bound will keep the jade smaller and more manageable. The size of the pot should be only slightly larger than the diameter of the plant. So if your new plant were about 4” in diameter, a 5” pot would be suitable for about a year or two. Jade plants are much like other succulent varieties – they need drainage. These plants grow well in pots with drainage holes. Drainage holes are helpful in allowing the excess water to exit from the pot. The excess water if not drained well will cause root rotting of the plants.

Temperature and humidity

It's best to place your Jade plant in a room with 30 to 50% humidity. However, it can also thrive in average home humidity. Jade plants grow best at room temperature (65° to 75°F / 18° to 24°C) but prefer slightly cooler temperatures at night and in the winter (down to 55°F / 13°C).

Soil type

The only major soil requirement that jade plants have is that the soil must drain rapidly. The jade plant, native to South Africa, has adapted to thrive in rocky, sandy soils with low fertility. Jade plants do have a tendency to become top-heavy and their shallow roots make them prone to tipping over.

Propagation

Jade plants can be propagated easily from stem or leaf cuttings. Stem propagation tends to be quicker and with a higher rate of success. Propagate during warmer months and use cuttings that are healthy and disease-free. Keep in mind that it takes a while to get a nice-sized jade plant from leaf cuttings. So, if you want to get a head start, and don't want to wait so long, then I recommend propagating jade plant stem cuttings instead of the leaves.

For stem cuttings

With a clean sharp knife, cut a stem a few inches long just above a leaf node. Remove lower leaves and allow the cut end to dry and form a callus. Small white roots will begin to develop after several weeks. Dip the rooted end in rooting hormone and place in a small pot or tray with a mix of equal parts perlite and potting soil. Water sparingly. Once roots are established, treat as you would a normal jade plant.

For leaf cuttings:

With a clean sharp knife, snip off individual leaves flush to the stem. Allow drying for up to several weeks. When small white roots develop, the leaf will begin to shrivel and turn brown. Place the roots in a mix of equal parts perlite and potting soil. Water sparingly until you see a tiny new stem and leaf emerge. When plants reach several inches tall, treat as you would a normal jade plant.

Jade Plant Care

Light

Jade plants love light, and young plants especially should be exposed to the bright, indirect sun in order to thrive. Jade plants young and old should receive at least four to six hours of sunlight daily, but keep the plant safe from direct rays of sunlight. Harsh light can scorch young, immature plants or cause the leaves on older ones to turn red.

Watering

Jade plants die far more often to overwatering than underwatering. Their fleshy leaves act as a water reservoir. Water thoroughly and allow to dry out completely in-between watering. Water every 7 to 14 days, more frequently in summer when the weather is warmer. Reduce watering in fall and winter when plants enter a period of semi-dormancy.

Fertilizing Your Jade Plant

Fertilizing Your Jade Plant For proper jade plant care, fertilize your jade plant about once every six months. Use a balanced water-soluble fertilizer. An important thing to keep in mind is that you should water your jade plant in a regular way and then water it with fertilizer water. Never fertilize your jade plant when the soil is dry, as this will damage the roots.

Pruning

Plants can be allowed to retain their natural shape or pruned into bonsai. Because jade plants store water in their leaves, older plants can become top-heavy and unable to support the extra weight, so will benefit from pruning.

Wait until plants are at least a year old before pruning. The best time to prune is spring to early summer when plants begin a new growth spurt. Because pruning can leave plants susceptible to disease, make sure pruning tools are sterile, and prune sparingly. Tools should be sharp to prevent tissue damage.

Avoid cutting the main trunk, which can severely damage or kill the plant. Cut drooping branches back to the trunk to encourage more robust growth. Thin branches as needed to increase the amount of light and air circulation. To shape, trim any errant branches just above a leaf node. Cut branches can be propagated into new plants.

Repotting jade plant

Gently remove the jade plant from the pot. Knock away the old soil from the roots, making sure to remove any rotted or dead roots in the process. Treat any visible cuts with a fungicide. Place the plant in its new pot and backfill with potting soil, spreading the roots out as you repot.

Cleaning jade plant leaves

Wipe dust from all of the jade plant's leaf surfaces with a clean, soft cloth moistened with water. Never use any kind of oil or plant cleaner on your jade. Remove any leaves or other plant materials that have fallen onto the soil surface.

Common Growing Problems

Since jade plants store water in their fleshy leaves, it's important to avoid overwatering, which will cause the roots to rot. Dropping leaves, dark or soft stems or leaves, and mushy brown roots are all signs of root rot, which could be caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil.

Treat this by removing the plant from the soil and removing as much of the soil from around the roots as possible. Allow the plant to dry out in open air for a few days, and then repot in the fresh succulent mix when the roots have dried out.