Jade plants are succulent house plants, which makes them fairly resilient and easy to grow indoors—plus, they’re long-lived! See how to care for your jade plant.
With its thick, woody stems and oval-shaped leaves, jade plants have a miniature tree-like appearance that is very appealing. They live a very long time, often reaching heights of three feet or more when grown indoors.
Though jade plants like the warm, dry conditions found in most homes, they are not as drought tolerant as other succulent species. It’s important to keep the soil moist (but never damp).
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Jade Plant issues
The leaves now have red along the edges of the leaves and the leave are very spongy?? Aren't the leaves suppose to be green and firm ??
Jade plant leaf drop and stem soft?
I was given a cutting of a Jade plant about a year ago now.. it's grown nicely in that time. I always let the soil dry out before watering and keep it near a window for a couple of hours sunshine and daylight.
Recently, it's been dropping leaves.. they haven't discoloured or gone rotten looking, just dropping off?? I've also noticed that the very base of the main stem feels very damp to touch, it's even a darker colour than the rest of the stem because of the damp feeling. The soil always dries out in between watering so I'm not sure what to do?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I love this little plant and really want it to survive. Thanks so much.
Jade Plant Leaves and Stem
It sounds like you are doing everything properly, however, a soft, damp stem is an indication of root rot, which is typically caused by too much water in the soil. Does the pot that the plant is in have a drainage hole in the bottom? If not, water could be staying in the soil for too long.
In the winter, jade plants should be watered less often than in the summer. If you are watering approximately once a week, try extending that to once every two weeks or so.
Another factor is temperature. How cold does it get by that window? Jade plants don’t like to go below 50°F at night and colder temps from drafty windows can damage some varieties.
Unfortunately, once a jade plant has root rot, it’s hard to get it to recover. Let it sit for a while without watering and see if anything changes. If the rot spreads, you could try cutting the stem above the rot and replanting the healthy part again. If you do, let the cut part sit in the air for a few days to form a protective “skin” over the wound, then plant it in dry soil.
If the fallen leaves are healthy, you can start new plants with them by placing them on top of soil, too.
pitiful Jade Plant
I have a jade plant I repotted and now it looks like a jungled mess. No tree for sure, the plants branches are not going up but out to the sides of pot. The leaves are getting a little wrinkled and not much substance to them. I don't water much, but I do live in Colorado and it is near a window as it needs the sun. Any suggestions?
Jade Plant Wrinkles
Generally, wrinkled leaves are a sign of underwatering. However, they can also occasionally be caused by overwatering, so we should first consider the conditions which led up to this point. Firstly, how long ago did you repot your jade? It’s a good idea to avoid watering right after transplanting, as this allows the plant’s roots to get properly established.
You mention that you don’t water much, which is good, generally. The important thing is to let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and to water deeply. Check if the trunk of the plant feels mushy at all. If so, this is a sign of rot (and overwatering).
How much direct sunlight does the plant get in the window? Too much direct sunlight could be drying out the plant faster than normal, especially in the dry winter air. Additionally, how cold does it get near the window at night? Jade plants don’t like to get below 50°F at night, and should be kept away from drafty, cold windows.
With all that in mind, it seems most likely that your plant is too dry. Water it deeply and let it dry out completely before doing so again in a couple weeks.
Shamrock plants
Hello. Last year in the spring I was given a Shamrock plant as a gift and I can't find any advise on how to care for it. It almost died off from what I'm guessing was over watering it, but I babied it and got it to come back. It's still in the original pot, about 5 or 6" with the holes in the bottom. I'd like to transfer it into a regular pot, but the plants are so delicate I'm afraid to without some recommendation. Can you help?
Lucky You Asked
Hi, Brenda: While we think of it, there’s a little more about shamrocks at https://www.almanac.com/content/houseplants-growing-tips. Meanwhile, sure, if you feel your shamrock is crowded, gently transplant it into a pot that is at least 4 inches larger in diameter and depth. Put some stones or broken pottery in the bottom (obviously, you would then set this on a dish or tray), then fill as needed with good potting soil. Shamrocks usually need to go dormant for a few months. As the leaves turn brown, clip them off leading up to this stage. Water only when the leaves first appear to wilt, usually once or twice a week. Thanks for asking!
Jade plants
This fall, I bought 2 'jade plants' according to the tag, from my local grocery store (they set up a big nursery in the summer outside). The pots contained, what looked like, about 8 to 10 sticks stuck in the soil...that was it. A couple of them had a branch, and they were all about 1 1/2" tall. It was the last 2 they had left and, maybe I felt sorry for them, but I bought them and brought them home. This is my 1st time growing jade plants. I have them in a window facing east where they get the morning sun and indirect light the rest of the day. I put them up on the window sill during the day and at night I set them down on a shelf away from the cold (Ohio) window. The 'sticks' are growing, branching off and starting to get little tiny leaves off of some of the 'sticks'. Also, now that they are growing, it actually looks like each pot has 3 different plants in it. They are in little 2" pots. When should I re pot them and should I separate the 3 individual plants that are in each pot?
Jade Plant Repotting
The plants you are describing don’t really sound like jade plants (not yet, at least), but they may be a related succulent species, such as a pencil cactus. Only time will tell!
In any case, you should let them grow a little larger before transplanting. Let them establish more foliage and get back to good health. The best time to repot them would be in late spring, when there’s more daylight and warmer temperatures. If they are indeed separate plants, it would be best to plant them in separate pots.
Jade and Shamrock Plants
Thank you for your reply and help!!!
Jade plant
I live in Southwest Florida. Can I plant a jade plant outside in the ground? What side of the house would give it the best survival rate?
Hello. I live in zone 9a and
Hello. I live in zone 9a and have jade plants outside. We do get pretty cold here during winter (occasionally snows) but she always comes back in spring. I think the previous owners of the house planted them here and they love where they are. They’re positioned on the south side of the house but behind an small wall that protects it from full sun, maybe except for an hour or two of direct afternoon sun. Hope that helps!
How to stop jades from sprouting
I recently pruned 2 branches that were low on the jade trunk, forgetting that new branches will most likely sprout! Help! How can I stop the sprout? Thanks for any advice.
cutting
Can I cut my jade plant back to make a stronger stem?
Hi Jane,
Hi Jane,
Jade plants do not require trimming to be healthy, except when the plant is old and overgrown. Trimming is done only for aesthetic reasons. It will not make a stronger stem. We hope this helps!
question on new jade plant
Hi, I just received 3 separate small jade plants. I put them in good potting soil in new pots, not mixed with anything, is that okay. And should I wait to water them? Or how long should I wait. I didn't want to make them too moist and also not shock them. Thank you.
how to care for new jade plants
Make sure to plant your jade in well-draining soil in pots with a drain holes in the bottom. Water enough to wet the soil and get the roots to settle into place, and then water every few days for a week. Then only water when the soil has just become dry.
Large jade tree
I have a huge jade plant which will bloom soon. The soil is rock solid and don’t know what to do except give it lots of water?
fertilizer for jade plant
A bit of balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season would be helpful, such as 10-10-10. Fertilize once every 3 or 4 months during the growing season.
my jade tree
I have a 2' jade tree that is from a cutting I got in 1987. A large branch broke off it when I moved last week. It is a beautiful branch with a diameter of about 3/4". Can I dip it in root grow and stick it in soil to grow roots? It should I put it in water to grow roots? My brother really wants this plant and it is such a beautiful branch with a forked area with equal smaller branches on both sides. How do I salvage it!! Thanks for you help. Much appreciated!!
Rooting Jade Cuttings
The key to getting jade cuttings (or fallen branches, in your case) to survive is to not let them get too wet. Rot is the number one issue people see with succulents, and once it starts, it’s hard to stop. You should keep the branch in a warm, dry place (such as a windowsill) for a couple days or until the wound on the end has healed. At this point, you can apply rooting hormone and stick the branch in dry soil. Do not water it yet at this point. With time, it should start to send out roots, and then you can water it sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely in between waterings. Also be sure to plant it in a pot with drainage holes in the bottom. Good luck!
My Jade is growing weird
Hello! I've had my Jade Succulent for almost 5 years now. Over the last month or so the stems have sprouted quite tall and they've began growing in odd, circular formations. The bottom half of some stems are also losing most of their leaves whereas other stems look really healthy and are growing new ones. Do you have any suggestions?
Jade Plant Questions
Make sure you are not watering too much; leaf drop can be a sign of overwatering. Also make sure that your plants are getting adequate light; plants that grow unusually leggy and tall are typically looking for more light.
Jade plants, black spots on leaves
My two large jades that I started from another huge one have had this problem for about a year. A leaf will get one black spot on it and then the leaf turns yellow and falls off. They are growing ok and look healthy otherwise but are starting to look pretty scrawny with the leaf loss. Anyone know the cause and what I can do to stop it? Would appreciate the help.
Jade Plant
Hi Nadine,
The black spots on your jade plant can be caused by a few things, the most likely being over watering. Try repotting the plant in a sandy and well-drainging soil mix. Not enough light (at least 4 hours daily) or a fungal disease are next on the list. For the disease, there is not much that can be done; your plant can recover from it, but there’s nothing to be done otherwise.
Advice: Neglected Jade Deserves Second, Third, Thirtieth Chance
My 30 (or more!) year old jade is the poster child for plant abuse. It's never been transplanted or fertilized, is watered when I remember to do so (if the soil is dry), and is living in the same pot it got stuck in when it arrived as a gift. Once every few months, I splash some water laced with 1/4 teaspoon of epsom salt dissolved in 8-9 ounces of filtered water. I sense this helps me more than the jade.
Some rangy and horizontal shoots surrounds a reasonably strong trunk and a few offshoots. It's not what I'd call an attractive plant by any means—a 'tree' only a mother could love. But after over 30 years, I'm not about to part with it unless I manage to finally kill it—which I've come close to doing more than a dozen times—despite its best efforts to survive in the face of utter neglect.
The sole decent light is the eastern exposure, SoCal Mojave desert. Hours of sunlight vary but rarely exceed five to six. To complicate matters, we're the proud fur-parents of an 18-pound Maine Coon whose job it is to try to eat anything that grows. The jade is fair game, of course, and has to be kept higher than a Maine Coon can leap. The roof would be ideal but difficult. A repurposed four-drawer dresser must suffice.The second choice is a bookcase that'd place the jade about seven feet from the east window. Would that still be close enough to sustain jade life and growth?
I know I could do this better but I'm suffering from jade information overload and conflicting advice. Can you help me pare this down to a manageable level, point me to a how-to transplant video or post that may help me improve my care protocol, to help me save what's left of my 30 (or more!) year old jade, please?
Will jade thrive in 3 hours sun?
Greetings!
I live in india where we have abundant sunshine round the year with a couple of showers.
I live in a apartment and I'd like to grow jade in a west facing window. The sun pours in between 2pm to 5pm after which a shed blocks it. I have bright indirect sunlight.. Can I put a jade there?
Thanks
Jade Plant Lighting
Hello!
It’s generally recommended to give your jade plant at least 4 hours of strong, filtered light each day. You can try putting the plant in your west-facing window, but if it starts to grow long and thin, it’s telling you that it needs more light.
Help!
I bought a Jade plant for my mom 7 months ago, and the lady who sold it to me said it should be watered only once per week and only keep it in a place when the morning sun reaches it! I continued doing so but the leafs kept falling and eventually they all fell, even the tree. I bought a new one a month ago and today I saw three leafs falling down. What do you think I should do? Water it more often?
Thank you very much!
Watering Jade Plants
Leaf drop is a sign of overwatering, so we would recommend cutting back on the water. Jade plants should only be watered when their soil has had a chance to dry out quite a bit. Depending on how long it takes for yours to dry out, you may only need to water it once a month. Gently stick your finger in the soil (away from the stem, so as not to disturb the roots) and see if the soil is dry. The top inch of soil should be dry before you water again. The plant should also get at least 4 hours of sunlight each day, but if you can increase that to 6 hours a day, it would be even better.
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