A jade plant is a perfect houseplant: it’s easy to care for, it looks great, and it can live for decades with the right treatment. Jade plants are native to Africa and Asia, and they have been cultivated for centuries. These succulent plants are known for their thick, fleshy leaves and branches. Jade plants can grow quite large—up to 6 feet tall—but they can also be kept small with regular pruning.
Also known as the “money plant,” this succulent is easy to care for and can thrive indoors with just a little bit of TLC. If you’re thinking about getting a jade plant or you already have one, read on for some tips on how to keep your plant happy and healthy.
Light and Temperature
Jade plants are succulents, which means they’re used to hot, dry conditions. They’ll do best in a spot that gets bright light but isn’t in direct sunlight, such as a south-facing windowsill. During the winter months, when there’s less natural light available, you may want to supplement your jade plant’s light with a grow light.
As far as temperature goes, jade plants like it on the warm side—between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal. They can tolerate cooler temperatures down to about 50 degrees, but anything below that will damage the plant. If you keep your jade plant outdoors during the summer months, make sure to bring it inside before the temperature starts to drop at night.
Watering and Humidity
Jade plants are drought-tolerant, so they don’t need a lot of water. Jade plants also need well-draining soil. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out completely between waterings. When you do water your plant, give it a deep soaking—enough to make water run out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot—and then let it drain thoroughly before putting it back in its spot.
Jade plants don’t require high humidity levels, so there’s no need to mist them or set them on a pebble tray. In fact, too much moisture in the air can actually cause problems like fungal diseases and leaf drops. Just remember to keep an eye on your plant; if its leaves start to wrinkle up, it’s probably time to give it a drink.
Fertilizing and Potting
Jade plants are slow growers, so they don’t need a lot of fertilizer. Feed them once every two or three months using a balanced fertilizer diluted by half. If you notice that your plant is growing more slowly than usual or that its leaves are starting to yellow, those could be signs that it’s not getting enough nutrients and you may need to fertilize more often.
Unlike some other plants, they actually like having their roots crowded. They don’t need to be transplanted very often. Every two or three years should be fine; just make sure you use a pot that has drainage holes so that your plant doesn’t get overwatered. And when you do transplant your jade plant, don’t increase the pot size by more than two inches; too much room can lead to root rot.
Pruning
Pruning is also an important part of caring for your jade plant. Although succulents don’t require as much pruning as other types of plants, occasional pruning will help encourage growth and keep your plant looking its best. When pruning your jade plant, be sure to use sharp shears or scissors and make clean cuts at an angle so that water can more easily drain from the wound site.
- Start by removing any dead or dying leaves. These can be identified by their brown or black color. Cut them off at the base of the plant using sharp, sterile shears.
- Next, cut back any leggy stems. Leggy stems are long and thin with few leaves. They can be caused by too much sun or not enough water. Cut them back to about 6 inches from the base of the plant.
- Finally, shape the plant by trimming any stray branches. You can make your jade plant as bushy or as sculpted as you like! Just use sharp, sterile shears and take care not to damage the soft tissue of the plant.
Pests and Diseases
As with all succulents, proper airflow is essential for preventing fungal diseases such as powdery mildew from taking hold. Be sure to rotate your plant periodically so that all sides of the plant have a chance to get some fresh air. You should also avoid wetting the leaves when you water; instead, water directly onto the soil around the base of the plant. If you do get water droplets on the leaves, be sure to wipe them off with a dry cloth as soon as possible.
Jade Plants are relatively disease-resistant, but they can be susceptible to mealybugs and scale insects. If scales start appearing on stems or leaves begin yellowing/dropping off it’s time to check for pests. Mealybugs look like small white cotton balls and scale insects appear as small brown bumps on stems or leaves; both types of pests suck sap from plants which can lead to stunted growth or leaf drop. To get rid of mealybugs or scale insects, wipe them off with a damp cloth or use an insecticidal soap following the instructions on the product label.
You’ll Be A Pro In No Time!
With these care tips in mind, you’re well on your way to becoming a jade planting pro! Just remember to give your plant bright light (but not direct sunlight), warm temperatures (between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit), and infrequent watering (allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out completely between waterings). With proper care, your jade plant will thrive for many years to come.