The jade plant, with its plump, glossy leaves, is a popular succulent known for its easy care and symbolism of good luck and prosperity. Caring for a jade plant is simple, but understanding the basic needs for soil, water, and light will contribute to its flourishing.
This guide will introduce you to the key aspects of jade plant care, from choosing the right pot and soil to watering, fertilizing, and shaping your plant. With a little attention, your jade plant will bring you years of enjoyment.
The jade plant, also known as Crassula ovata, is a captivating succulent loved for its unique beauty and interesting features. This plant is believed to bring fortune to its owner and is commonly associated with financial success. It is often placed near cash registers or in offices.
Known for being a low-maintenance indoor plant, jade plants contribute to improved indoor air quality. They filter out pollutants and release oxygen, creating a healthier environment for you and your family. Here are a few facts about this plant.
Botanical Name: Crassula ovata
Height: More than 5 feet
Soil Type: Well-draining, acidic succulent soil
Sun Exposure: Indirect sun to full sun indoors
Temperature: 65 to 75°F
Propagation Method: Through cuttings
When To Plant: Spring
Now, let's talk about how to grow and care for your jade plant.
Jade plants are succulent, and there are many types to choose from. If you are a beginner, it's best to pick an easy one, such as the Crassula Ovata, also known as the money plant. This variety is hardy among all others, doesn't require much water, and grows nice and plump.
If you are searching for something special, consider other cool jade plant varieties. The "Hobbit" has curly leaves that look like they are dancing, and the Crassula Ovata "Miniature" stays small and cute, like a tiny bonsai tree. They are a unique variety and add charm to your plant collection.
Jade plants require well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH and a loose, grainy texture to prevent soggy conditions. They prefer a potting mix that retains just the right amount of moisture, keeping the plant lightly moist at all times. Create a suitable potting mix by combining equal parts of horticultural sand, perlite, and peat moss.
In addition, prepare your soil with a free-draining sandy or loamy mix, as they provide good drainage. Avoid using traditional all-purpose potting soils when planting jade; instead, use a potting mix specifically formulated for growing succulents and cactus plants.
These plants love bright but indirect sunlight, so keep your plant in it for at least 6 hours every day. South or west-facing windows are ideal, as they provide the necessary light without exposing the plants to harsh midday sun.
Do not place your plant in direct sunlight, as this can lead to burning and scorching of their leaves. Always remember to keep your soil moist but not wet during the growing season (spring and summer), and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Tips For Providing Right Lighting
Gradually move your jade from indirect sunlight to direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
Place them in a south-facing window. This will provide full sun.
Avoid direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day, especially for young plants.
Use a south or west-facing window for bright, indirect light.
Consider a window with filtered sunlight for indirect light.
Use a diluted standard liquid houseplant fertilizer or one specifically formulated for cacti and succulents for your jade. Apply this fertilizer at half strength every few weeks during the growing season, which is spring or summer. The best fertilizers for jade typically have a 10-20-10 ratio, and the soil should be moist before applying to avoid damaging the roots.
Avoid over-fertilizing your plant. Excessive fertilizer can be detrimental, drawing moisture away from the roots and leading to root burns. This can result in stunted growth, dry leaf edges, wilting, and even plant death.
Jade plants don't need as much water as you might think. As succulents, they store water in their leaves and stems, helping them survive without much water. The amount of water they need depends on their size and the season. Generally, water them more in spring and summer, and less in fall and winter.
To determine when to water them, simply stick your finger about an inch deep into the soil. If it feels wet, hold off on watering. Smaller jade plants dry out faster, so check them more frequently. If your jade plant is grown indoors, you might need to water it every 2 to 3 weeks.
Prune your jade regularly to encourage bushier growth and maintain the shape of the plant. Use sharp and sterilized scissors to remove leggy stems, dead leaves, or unwanted branches, but be careful to avoid damaging the plant. Depending on the purpose of your pruning, employ different techniques.
When trimming, cut the leggy stems back to 1/3 of their length at a 45-degree angle, and avoid cutting the main branch of the plant. Perform this process, especially in the spring or early summer, to encourage quicker regrowth. Regularly inspect the plant and trim away any branches showing dark spots.
Jade plants are usually tough, but they can get bothered by mealybugs. These bugs create white patches and sticky stuff that causes mold. To address this issue, gently wipe the affected areas with cotton balls soaked in alcohol. Avoid using strong bug sprays, as they can harm the delicate leaves of your plant.
Check your jade regularly to stop other pests like spider mites and diseases such as powdery mildew. Spider mites can suck sap from the plants, causing discoloration and stunted growth, while powdery mildew affects photosynthesis with a white coating on the leaves.
If you notice roots popping out of the pot holes, the plant wobbling, or water rushing through without moistening the soil, your jade plant might need a new pot. Typically, small plants should be repotted every 2 to 3 years, while larger ones may require repotting every 4 to 5 years.
The best time for jade repotting is in the spring, at the start of the plant's main growing season. Here's how to repot your jade plant:
Select a stable pot with drainage holes.
Use fresh potting mix.
Create a drainage layer in the pot.
Carefully remove the plant from its old pot.
Examine roots and prune if necessary.
Water well and remove excess water from the drainage saucer.
Jade plants can be propagated in two ways: through stem cuttings and leaf cuttings. For stem cuttings, take a 4-6 inch cutting, and allow the cut end to dry for a few days. Once the cut end has formed a callus, plant the cutting in well-draining soil.
If you are propagating from leaf cuttings, select healthy leaves, cut them from the plant, and allow the cut to dry. Then, place the leaves in pots with moist substrate, provide plenty of light, and keep them at a temperature of 20°C.
Additional Tips:
Jades can bloom with small white or pink flowers in the spring or summer. To encourage blooms, give your plant plenty of sunlight and reduce watering slightly during the winter months.
Do you know that you can create the best bonsai from your jade plant? These low-maintenance indoor plants are well-suited for beginners in bonsai due to their toughness, slow growth, numerous branches, and small leaves. This makes it easy to shape and style them gradually without causing too much stress to the plant.
Additionally, their small leaves further contribute to the desired miniaturized bonsai appearance. If you are thinking of creating a jade bonsai, here are some tips:
Tart with a mature jade plant: Look for one with a thick trunk and well-developed branches.
Choose a pot: Select a pot that's slightly larger than the root ball, with good drainage holes. Bonsai soil is ideal, as it's well-draining and promotes healthy root growth.
Prune regularly: Use sharp pruners to remove unwanted branches and encourage branching in desired directions. You can also pinch off new growth to control its size.
Wire the branches: This helps to shape the branches into the desired form. Be gentle and avoid over-wiring, as this can damage your plant.
Provide plenty of sunlight: Jade plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to thrive.
Water moderately: Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
