Jade plant care is simple, making this hardy succulent a favorite for both beginners and experienced plant lovers. With its thick, glossy leaves and ability to thrive in various conditions, it’s an easy plant to keep happy.
But what does it need to stay healthy – and how can you avoid common care mistakes?
Let’s go over the essential tips to help your jade plant thrive for years to come.
Table of Contents
Easy Jade Plant Care Guide 💚
⭐ Want one? Grab your very own Jade Plant here!
💧 Water: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Jade plants are succulents and prefer infrequent watering - overwatering can lead to root rot.
🌱 Soil: Use a well-draining cactus or succulent mix - I personally use this succulent mix - to help prevent excess moisture.
☀️ Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal, but Jade Plants can also handle some direct sunlight. Too little light can cause leggy growth.
🌡️ Temperature: Keep your Jade Plant in a room between 65-75°F (18-24°C). They tolerate warmer conditions but should be kept away from cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F (10°C).
🌿 Fertilizer: Feed with a diluted, balanced fertilizer (my top pick is this Miracle-Gro fertilizer) once a month during the growing season (spring and summer). Avoid fertilizing in fall and winter when the plant is dormant.
Essential Jade Plant Care Tips
Jade plants are resilient succulents, but they still need proper care to thrive. The right soil, lighting, and watering practices are crucial for their health and growth.
Here’s what you need to know to keep your jade plant happy and thriving.
Best Soil for Jade Plants
Jade plants need well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Given that they’re succulents, the easiest option is going to be buying a pre-made cactus or succulent mix – which is exactly the type of soil I prefer for these plants!
Miracle-Gro Succulent Potting Mix
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The best soil for Jade Plants, specially formulated to provide the perfect balance of drainage and nutrients. This mix, made with sphagnum peat moss and plant food, helps support strong roots and healthy, thriving growth
Of course, you can always do this yourself by mixing regular potting soil with perlite or coarse sand in a 2:1 ratio. This creates air pockets and improves drainage.
Add some small rocks or gravel at the bottom of the pot before filling it with soil. This extra step helps excess water drain faster. Make sure your pot has drainage holes too.
Repot your jade plant every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current container. Spring is the best time for repotting.
Choose a pot that’s only slightly larger than the current one – jade plants prefer to be a bit root-bound.
Lighting Needs
Jade plants love bright, indirect sunlight. Place them near a south-facing window for the best results. They can handle some direct sun, but too much can scorch their leaves.
If you’re growing jade plants indoors, give them at least 4 hours of bright light daily. Rotate the pot every few weeks to ensure even growth. In low light conditions, jade plants will grow slowly and may become leggy.
During summer, you can move your jade plant outdoors. Just make sure to introduce it to direct sunlight gradually to prevent sunburn. Bring it back inside before the first frost in fall.
When to Water Jade Plants
Jade plants are drought-tolerant and prefer to dry out between waterings. Water them thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. In spring and summer, this might be every 7-14 days.
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Reduce watering in fall and winter when the plant is dormant. You might only need to water once every 3-4 weeks during this time. Always check the soil moisture before watering.
Overwatering is the most common problem with jade plants. Signs of overwatering include yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and soft, mushy stems.
If you notice these symptoms, let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
Feeding Your Jade Plant
Proper feeding is crucial for keeping your jade plant healthy and thriving. The right fertilizer and feeding schedule can promote lush growth and vibrant coloration.
Best Fertilizer for Jade Plants
Jade plants don’t need much fertilizer, but they benefit from occasional feeding. Choose a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK ratio of 1:1:1 or 10:10:10).
Cactus or succulent-specific fertilizers work particularly well – like the one I prefer for these plants!
Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food
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The best fertilizer for Jade Plants, specially formulated for succulents to provide instant nutrients. Supports strong roots and healthy, vibrant growth, keeping your Jade Plant thriving
Avoid fertilizers high in nitrogen, as they can cause leggy growth. You should also always dilute the fertilizer to half or quarter strength to avoid overfeeding.
Organic options like compost tea or worm castings can provide gentle nutrition. Alternatively, for a DIY option, mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt with 1 gallon of water. This solution provides magnesium and sulfur, which support chlorophyll production and overall plant health.
When to Fertilize Jade Plants
Feed your jade plant during its active growing season, typically spring and summer. Apply fertilizer once a month from March to September. Stop feeding in fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows down.
Always water your jade plant before fertilizing to prevent root burn. If you’ve recently repotted your plant, wait about a month before fertilizing to allow it to adjust to its new environment.
Watch for signs of overfertilization, such as brown leaf tips or edges. If you notice these symptoms, flush the soil with plain water and reduce feeding frequency.
Remember, it’s better to underfeed than overfeed your jade plant. These succulents are adapted to thrive in nutrient-poor soils, so a light touch with fertilizer is all they need to flourish.
Pruning and Maintenance
Jade plants benefit from regular pruning and upkeep to stay healthy and vibrant. Proper care helps prevent pests and diseases while promoting growth.
Fortunately, maintaining your jade plant is straightforward with the right techniques and attention.
Regular Pruning
Prune your jade plant to shape it and encourage bushier growth. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to make cuts just above a leaf node. Remove any dead, yellowing, or damaged leaves as you spot them. Trim long, leggy stems to maintain a compact shape.
Spring and summer are ideal times for major pruning. Don’t remove more than 20-30% of the plant at once. Save healthy cuttings to propagate new plants if desired.
Let pruned areas dry for a few days before watering to prevent rot. This allows cut surfaces to callus over.
Pest Control
Keep an eye out for common jade plant pests like mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. Inspect your plant regularly, checking under leaves and along stems. If you spot pests, isolate the plant to prevent spread.
How to Get Rid of Pests on Your Houseplants
If you notice pests on your indoor plants, follow these steps to tackle the problem before it gets worse:
- Start with manual removal – For minor infestations, wipe leaves with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or rinse the plant under lukewarm water to remove pests by hand.
- Use neem oil or insecticidal soap – If pests persist, treat your plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap (those are my preferred ones!), both of which target common houseplant pests without harming your plant.
- Apply a houseplant-safe pesticide – For severe cases that don’t respond to other treatments, use a broad-spectrum pesticide designed for indoor plants to eliminate stubborn pests – I use this pesticide for tough infestations.
By acting quickly and using the right treatments, you can keep your houseplants pest-free and thriving!
Treat minor infestations by wiping leaves with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. For larger problems, use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Apply these treatments every 7-10 days until pests are gone.
Prevent future issues by avoiding overwatering and maintaining good air circulation around your plant. A healthy jade plant is more resistant to pests.
Disease Prevention
Jade plants are generally hardy but can develop issues in poor conditions. Root rot is the most common problem, caused by overwatering or poor drainage. To prevent this, use well-draining soil and pots with drainage holes.
Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. If you notice soft, mushy stems or leaves, you may need to repot the plant in fresh, dry soil after trimming away affected areas.
Leaf spot diseases can occur in humid conditions. Improve air circulation and avoid getting water on the leaves when watering. Remove any infected leaves promptly to prevent spread.
How to Repot Jade Plants
Repotting jade plants is essential for their growth and health. You’ll need to repot your jade plant every 2-3 years or when it outgrows its current container. Choose a pot that’s 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one, with drainage holes.
Start by gently removing the jade plant from its pot. Shake off excess soil and inspect the roots, trimming any that are damaged or rotted. Place a layer of fresh, well-draining potting mix in the new pot.
Position the jade plant in the center of the new pot, ensuring it’s at the same depth as before. Fill in around the roots with more potting mix, pressing gently to remove air pockets. Leave about an inch of space at the top for watering.
Here’s a quick guide to repotting materials:
- Pot: Terracotta or ceramic with drainage holes
- Soil: Cactus or succulent mix
- Tools: Gloves, trowel, pruning shears
After repotting, don’t water your jade plant for a week. This allows any damaged roots to heal and prevents rotting. Place the newly potted plant in a bright, indirect light location.
Keep an eye on your jade plant for the next few weeks. It may show signs of stress, like dropping leaves, but this is normal. Resume regular care once you see new growth, which indicates successful repotting.
Propagating Jade Plants
Jade plants can be easily propagated to create new plants. You have three main methods to choose from: leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, and offsets. Each technique has its own advantages and can be successful with proper care and attention.
Leaf Cuttings
To propagate jade plants using leaf cuttings, start by gently twisting off a healthy leaf from the main plant. Make sure it comes off cleanly at the base. Let the leaf callus over for a few days before planting.
Place the leaf on well-draining soil, with the cut end slightly buried. Mist the soil lightly to keep it slightly moist. Within a few weeks, tiny roots and new leaves will start to grow from the base of the original leaf.
Once the new plant has established roots, you can transplant it to a larger pot. Be patient – this method can take several months for a new plant to fully develop.
Stem Cuttings
Stem cuttings are a faster way to propagate jade plants. Cut a healthy stem about 3-4 inches long, making sure it has at least two sets of leaves. Remove the lower leaves, leaving the top two intact.
Let the cutting dry for a few days to form a callus. Plant the stem in well-draining soil, burying about an inch of the cut end. Water sparingly until roots develop.
Place the pot in bright, indirect light. Roots should form within 2-3 weeks. You’ll know it’s rooted when you see new growth at the top of the cutting.
Offsets
Jade plants naturally produce small offsets or “pups” around the base of the main plant. These can be easily separated to create new plants. Gently remove the offset, making sure it has some roots attached.
Plant the offset in a small pot with well-draining soil. Water lightly and place in bright, indirect light. Offsets typically establish quickly since they already have roots.
Keep the soil slightly moist but not waterlogged. Within a few weeks, you’ll see new growth, indicating that the offset has successfully rooted in its new pot.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Jade plants are generally hardy, but they can face some issues. Yellow leaves often indicate overwatering or poor drainage. Brown, shriveled leaves usually mean the plant needs more water. Leggy growth with sparse foliage suggests insufficient light.
To fix yellow leaves, reduce watering and ensure the pot has drainage holes. Let the soil dry out between waterings. For brown, shriveled leaves, increase watering frequency slightly. Move your plant to a brighter spot if it’s becoming leggy.
Pests can also be a problem for jade plants. Look out for mealybugs – small, white, cottony insects. Treat them by wiping the leaves with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. For severe infestations, use an insecticidal soap.
Root rot is another common issue. If your plant’s stem feels soft or mushy near the soil, it may have root rot. Remove the plant from its pot, trim away damaged roots, and repot in fresh, well-draining soil.
Leaf drop can occur due to temperature fluctuations. Keep your jade plant away from drafts and cold windows. Aim for a consistent temperature between 65-75°F (18-24°C).
If your jade plant isn’t growing, it might need repotting or fertilizer. Repot every 2-3 years and fertilize monthly during the growing season with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength.
Seasonal Care Adjustments
Jade plants need different care as the seasons change. You’ll want to adjust watering, light exposure, and fertilizing throughout the year. These changes help your jade thrive in varying conditions.
Water your jade less in fall and winter. The plant enters a dormant phase, requiring less moisture. Check the soil and only water when it’s completely dry.
In spring and summer, increase watering frequency. The growing season demands more water, but don’t overdo it. Always let the soil dry between waterings.
Protect your jade from harsh sunlight in summer. Move it to a slightly shadier spot or use sheer curtains to filter intense rays.
Fertilize your jade plant during spring and summer. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer once a month. Stop fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows down.
Watch for temperature changes. Jade plants prefer temperatures between 65-75°F (18-24°C). Move them indoors if outdoor temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).
Prune your jade in spring to encourage bushier growth. Remove any dead or yellowing leaves throughout the year.
Consider repotting in spring if your jade has outgrown its container. Choose a pot just slightly larger than the current one.
Long-Term Growth and Care
Jade plants can grow for decades with proper care, which is great given the many benefits jade plants offer for your home. You’ll need to repot them every 2-3 years as they outgrow their containers. Choose a pot that’s 1-2 inches larger than the current one to allow room for growth.
Pruning is key for maintaining your jade plant’s shape and size. Trim overgrown branches in spring or summer using clean, sharp scissors. This encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming top-heavy.
As jade plants age, they may develop a thick, woody trunk. This gives them a tree-like appearance, adding to their charm. Support heavy branches with stakes if needed to prevent breakage.
Fertilize your jade plant sparingly – once every 3-4 months during the growing season is enough. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength.
Watch for signs of age-related issues like leaf drop or bark peeling. These are normal but may indicate your plant needs a change in care routine.
Consider propagating your jade plant to create new plants. You can easily root leaf or stem cuttings in soil or water.
Remember that jade plants grow slowly, so be patient with their progress. With consistent care, your jade can become a long-lived, cherished houseplant.