Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:35 pm
Jade plant care is easy because jades don’t need much attention. They thrive on neglect and will actually grow better if you forget about them for a little while. You’ll want to water your jade every two weeks or so, but only when the soil gets dry – it’s all too common for jades to be overwatered.
The jade plant is a succulent that requires minimal care. It can be grown in low-lit areas and watered once or twice per week depending on the environment it’s living in. There are many variations of jade plants; most have green leaves, but some varieties will turn red when exposed to more light.
The jade plant is often called the “money tree” in Asian culture because its long, green leaves resemble a stack of coins. There are jade plants with smaller leaves and thicker stems that have more coin-like coloration on them. The jade plant can be found all over Asia, but its native home is Central America.
Origin and description
The jade plant comes from a subtropical forest in South Africa. It grows slowly and is surprisingly difficult to kill, which makes it the perfect choice for those beginners who are just starting out with house plants. Its leaves have an attractive glossy finish that can be green or variegated with silver stripes like jade.
This is a succulent that prefers warm and humid conditions but will tolerate some dryness as well. It should be watered deeply about once per week in summer, more often if the air is very hot and dry; allow it to go completely dormant during winter (no water until new leaves emerge).
It is a very popular houseplant and one of the easiest to grow. It thrives in medium light, such as an east or west-facing window, but can also tolerate low-light conditions. Its size will vary depending on the amount of water it receives: when grown in drier environments, jades may stay quite small, while jades in moist environments can grow quite large.
This succulent should be placed outdoors during the summer months and brought inside when nighttime temperatures fall below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also a good idea to place jade plants outside for several hours each day if you are fortunate enough to have pleasant weather.
The jade plant is not particular about soil type but prefers a well-drained potting mix to prevent root rot. It can be propagated from stem cuttings or leaf pullings in spring or summer and grows best when planted with the tip of the leaves just barely below the surface of the soil.
Propagating jade plant
Many jade plants are propagated by stem cuttings. These can be taken any time of the year when temperatures are above 55 degrees. The stems should be between 6 and 25 centimeters, with a diameter of one to two centimeters. Potting soil is placed on top of the bottom half-inch or so of the stem cutting, allowing for some air circulation. The jade plant propagating pot is placed in a bright location with plenty of water and fertilizer for the duration of rooting, which typically takes around two weeks.
Where to grow jade plant?
Jade plants can be grown in your house, but they prefer bright light and warm temperatures. Jade plants are sensitive to temperature fluctuations, so they should be kept on the north side of a building with lots of sun or near an inside window that gets plenty of sunlight during the day.
Jade plant care indoors
Light requirement
The jade plant can be a low-light houseplant, but for best appearances, it needs at least six hours of sun.
Lighting in the home should provide even distribution and intensity with no direct light from windows or lamps to avoid excessive exposure during periods of darkness. It prefers filtered morning sunlight rather than full afternoon sun that is high in intensity and heat.
Jade plants prefer to be kept in a bright spot, but not direct sunlight. This will make them turn green and grow better. If jades are exposed too much, they can get sunburned or start dropping leaves.
Provide indirect natural light by placing your plant near a window that is partially shaded by curtains or other objects blocking the midday brightness of the sun, while still providing enough hours for jades to receive at least six hours of uninterrupted darkness every night so it can rest properly next day – this keeps the plant healthy and happy! *(Keep in mind that if you have more than one jade plant on different floors, each floor may need its own lighting)
If you want your jade to grow quickly and flower prolifically, provide plenty of natural light for them (at least six hours per day). Plants that do not get enough sunshine may produce smaller leaves more often. Provide shade from the intense summer heat by moving it outdoors during the hottest parts of the day and back inside before evening sets in.
Soil/potting mix
Jade plants like fast-draining soil, so most jades are grown in either gravel or sand. The planting potting mix should be loose and porous to allow for good drainage. Pot jade plant containers with a small amount of vermiculite mixed into the top layer of soil if you want to provide some extra water retention for the plants.
The potting mix should be well-draining, but it can hold moisture in order to protect the plant from drying out quickly or freezing in cold weather. When watering jades during winter, water only when the soil is dry down at least an inch below ground level.
The jade plant needs to be planted in soil that drains well. They don’t do too well with freezing temperatures, so it’s best if they are brought inside during the winter months and kept away from large amounts of cold air or drafts. Outside in summer, jade plants should also not be placed near windowsills that get direct sun as jade plants can get too hot.
Watering
The jade plant likes to be watered thoroughly, but it doesn’t like wet feet! Use a pot with drainage holes so the plant can have all of its roots in water at all times.
The jade is a succulent that will need plenty of water during the warmer months when you are actively growing it, but very little in winter or dormancy. jade plants should be watered more often while they’re actively growing than if they’re resting
Temperature
The jade plant loves the heat, but it can’t handle cold drafts. In winter, keep your jade plant on a bright spot by an interior window in order to provide some light and warmth. If you live in a region with freezing winters, move the jade outside during summer, then bring it back inside when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Humidity
Jade plants need lots of humidity, which can be achieved by placing it in the bathroom where they will receive hot steamy air and then move outside afterward.
This is also helpful because jades are susceptible to being too cold at night. The warmer temperatures make its leaves less sensitive to changes in temperature.
Fertilizing
Jades generally don’t need fertilizing, but if they do, jade plant care is ideal for that. Providing jade plants with water and fertilizer will make them happy.
Repotting
Every jade plant needs to be repotted. Repot the jade when it has grown into its current container, usually every two or three years, and give it fresh soil with good drainage.
A jade that is too pot bound will grow poorly as roots are cut off from air and water by the tight planting.
The jade plant should be potted into a container that is only one or two inches larger in diameter than its current pot and no more than 12-inches deep, with fresh soil and lots of drainage holes.
Growth rate
The jade plant is a slow grower, so it’s not unusual for jades to take years before they bloom.
If you’re waiting for the plant to grow enough to be able to put in the ground outside or into your garden bed, then don’t hold your breath because this will most likely not happen.
A jade will eventually grow to a height of about three feet and a width of one foot when grown in the proper location with enough sun exposure, but it can take years for this to happen.
The jade plant is an indoor houseplant that prefers bright indirect sunlight or light shade outdoors. It does not do well in direct sunlight.
If your jade is currently outside and it’s not doing well, then bring the jade indoors until better weather arrives because jades are difficult to start back up once they’ve become acclimated to outdoor conditions.
Pruning
Pruning jade plants can be a little tricky because there is some debate about the best time to do it. Some say you should prune jades during dormancy in winter or early spring, while others argue that jade plants should be pruned in the summer. There are also jades that can handle being cut back any time of year, and these jades will thrive with little or no pruning (but they don’t form new shoots as quickly).
Hardiness zone
Jade plants are hardy in zones 12 to 17
Pests and diseases
Jade plants are only susceptible to a few pests and diseases. One disease that they can get is leaf spot, which leaves black spots on the leaves of the plant. Spots may appear as early as three days after infection and will continue to grow in size before eventually killing off portions or all of the plant’s foliage.
The best way to prevent this from happening is by removing infected areas from your jade plant immediately. Make sure you use sterilized scissors so that no bacteria will spread during removal. This should be done even if you’ve never seen any symptoms yet because it is better safe than sorry!
You could also try spraying regular water at your jade plants rather than just misting them. You might want to try reverse osmosis water, rainwater, or distilled water if you have any because the plants love these sources and they could help your jade plant with the lack of nutrients it may be experiencing from hard tap water.
The diseases that jade plants are most susceptible to are heat stress caused by lack of humidity in their environment, wilting due to overwatering, and a few pest infestations like spider mites which can cause webs on leaves among other problems. Spider Mite eggs hatch quickly so make sure to monitor for signs often!
Signs include yellowing leaves, frayed-looking tips of branches, or brown patches on leaves when pests feed (more common during hot days).
Jade plant care tips
- Provide adequate light to the plant. It’s succulent and needs bright but indirect sunlight indoors; it will thrive in full sun outdoors, as long as it is protected from frost or other harsh conditions. In winter, keep jade plants out of any drafts that might be coming in through doors or windows.
- Water jade plants when the soil becomes dry to touch, killing any brown tips on leaves and stems that occur after watering. If you want it to be more drought tolerant, let its soil become bone dry before adding fresh water again.
In the winter months jade plant care should also include these things:
- Give the plants a little more water in the winter months.
- Reduce the frequency of watering, jade plants need to have dry soil for several weeks before you water it again.
- Feed with diluted fertilizer monthly during the growing season and once every two months during the winter; stop fertilizing at least one month prior to repotting
Conclusion
In summary, jade plants need a lot of light and water in the warmer months. When winter comes around, they need less water to avoid rot and browning edges on leaves; additionally feeding with diluted fertilizer monthly is necessary during this time as well. During repotting season fertilize at least one month out from when you are going to repot and stop fertilizing at least one month before.
