Jade Plant Care: Often, plant lovers are confused about jade plant care. I frequently received one common question: “My jade plant always dries up, or it does not grow well. How can I take care of it properly?”
Jade Plant Care Tips
Don’t worry – in this post, I will share with you all the important tips on how to care for the jade plant, so your plant stays healthy and never gets spoiled.
In this guide, we will cover:
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About the Jade Plant and why it is unique
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Correct placement and sunlight requirement
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How to water the Jade plant
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Perfect soil mixture for Jade plant
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Best fertilizer for Jade plant
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Propagation methods
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Pest control tips and common problems
About Jade Plant & Why It’s Unique
The jade plant is a succulent, easy-to-grow, low-maintenance plant. Its small, thick, fleshy leaves give it a unique look. Despite being small, it is hardy and can thrive in harsh conditions, including dry climates and drought.
It is believed that the jade plant is a symbol of good luck, bringing prosperity and positive energy to the home.
Want to explore more easy-care plants for your home garden? Check out our guide on Top 10 Low-Maintenance Indoor Plants for Beginners.
Key features of the Jade plant:
- The jade plant remains green throughout the year.
- The jade plant is very tender, it grows low above and spreads more, and the color of its leaves is a mixture of green and yellow.
- You can grow them in a hanging basket, as a bonsai tree, or in any size of pot.
Because of these qualities, it is a perfect choice for beginners, busy working professionals, and frequent travelers.
Do you know?
The Jade plant is actually an outdoor plant and not an indoor one but – people in the nurseries sell it as an indoor plant.
Correct placement and Sunlight requirement
Jade plants often get damaged simply because they are not kept in the right place.
In most nurseries, jade plants are sold as indoor plants, and this is where the biggest mistake begins. When a plant lover with little knowledge keeps the jade plant indoors, problems start appearing.
For the first few days, the plant may survive, but soon its leaves begin to fall, turn yellow, and eventually the plant weakens.
The truth is – jade plant is not an indoor plant; it’s an outdoor plant. It needs proper, bright direct sunlight to grow healthy and lush.
For best result, keep your jade plant in a sunny spot like open balcony, terrace or in a garden where it gets at least 4-5 hours of sunlight daily.
Note:
- If you want to keep it inside then keep it near the window where sunlight is good.
- In the month of May- June, when sunlight is extreme at that time you can keep them in shade.
Watering tips to Jade plant
Often, jade plants get damaged due to incorrect watering, and overwatering is the most common reason.
In jade plant care, it’s important to understand when and how much to water. Jade plants are succulents, meaning they store water in their thick leaves. Because of this, they require very little water to survive.
Correct watering method:
- If you touch the soil and it feels moist, then the plant doesn’t need water.
- On the other hand, if you notice its leaves withering, it’s an indication that your plant isn’t receiving enough water. In such cases, water the plant when the topsoil is completely dry.
Tips
- Insert your finger deep into the soil up to the first knuckle.
- If it feels dry at that depth, then it’s time to water the plant.
- If the soil still feels moist, there’s no need to water at that moment.
Note:
- In winter seasons, Jade plants need less water than normal, so you should always test the soil before watering.
Watering is not just about pouring water every day; it’s about understanding the unique needs of each plant. Read our detailed guide “How to water plants correctly”.
Perfect soil mix for Jade plant
The soil of the jade plant should be well-drained, it should absorb the much it needs and should be able to drain out excess water through the hole. The perfect soil mixture for this plant consists of:
- 1 part garden soil,
- ½ part compost and ½ part sand,
- mix all the ingredients and your soil mixture will be ready.
Soil mixture plays a crucial role in providing the necessary nutrients and environment for Jade plant to thrive. Learn here “How to make Best Soil mixture for Jade plant”.
Best Fertilizer for Jade plant
The Jade plant is naturally hardy and doesn’t require frequent fertilization. However, you can provide cow dung fertilizer two or three times a year if you wish.
Propagation of Jade plant
You can propagate more Jade plants by taking cuttings from the mature plant. Follow these steps:
1. Select a healthy cutting stem with thick leaves.
2. Cut with a sharp pruner or scissors.
3. Remove the leaves from the lower part of the cutting, as this section will be buried in the soil.
Now, you can choose one of the two methods for planting the cutting:
Method 1: In Coco peat
- Mix the coco peat with a small amount of compost (vermicompost).
- If the coco peat is dry, add some water to make it moist.
- Fill the pot with this mixture and gently plant your cutting, ensuring it is placed slightly deep in the pot.
- Since the coco peat is already moist, refrain from watering immediately. Instead, place the pot in direct sunlight, and you should start seeing new leaves in a few days.
Method 2: In the Soil
- For this, do not prepare a new soil mixture for it, take the soil of any pot which already has a plant.
- Place the cutting in the moisturized soil taken from another plant.
- Here also, you do not need to give water as the soil is wet.
In both cases, give water when the outer layer of coco peat and soil is dry, otherwise, stems will get damaged due to overwatering.
Note:
- Roots will get developed in the next 45 days and after that, you can shift your cuttings to bigger size pots.
- At the time of shifting you need to make a fresh soil mixture as mentioned above, you cannot use the soil of old plants here.
How to care for Jade plant from Pest attack
The jade plant is generally hardy and not prone to pests; however, mealybugs can occasionally be an issue.
- To prevent mealybug infestations, you can spray neem oil on the plant once a week.
- It’s also advisable to keep the Jade plant at a distance from hibiscus plants since both can be susceptible to the same type of pest attacks.
It was all about the JADE plant.
Enjoy planting your luck!!!!!
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