Jade Plant

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Jade Plants

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).

Planting

• Plant in a sturdy container with an all-purpose soil blend. Use a soil that will drain thoroughly, as excessive moisture may promote root rot.
• A cactus mix with some organic matter will do. You can also make a mix of one part sterilized organic soil, one part sphagnum peat moss, and three parts coarse sand by volume
• Jade plants are known to have very thick stems and may eventually become top-heavy, so plan ahead by planting in a wide and sturdy pot.

Care

• Place jade do need 4 or more hours of sunlight each day; kitchens and offices with a south-facing window are typically great spots with just enough light.
• Jade plants grow best at room temperature (65 to 75°F), but prefer slightly cooler temperatures at night and in the winter (55°F). 
• Keep soil moist but not wet during active growth in the spring and summer. Allow soil to dry between waterings in the winter. Avoid splashing water on the leaves while watering.
• If shedding or brown spots occur on the leaves, it is an indication that the plant needs more water. 
• Jade plants may be fertilized three to four times a year with a standard liquid houseplant fertilizer.
• During the winter months, move the plants away from cold windowpanes and out of drafts.
• Jade plants do not mind being root-bound. If the plant gets top-heavy and you need to move to a larger pot, transplant when new growth starts. Let the soil dry before repotting and wait four months before fertilizing any repotted plants.

Pests/Diseases

• Mealybugs may hide under stems and leaves. To remove the bugs, use a spray bottle of water or wipe the insects off gently with a bit of rubbing alcohol on a paper towel or cotton swab.
• Powdery mildew is a common problem.
• Root rot is due to excessive moisture in the soil.
• Leaf drop is a sign of a thirsty plant in need of more frequent watering.

Harvest/Storage

• New jade plants can easily be started from the leaves of mature plants. Stick leaves into the soil stem-side down and new roots will begin to grow.

Recommended Varieties

• ‘Hummel’s Sunset’ has beautiful yellow- and red-tipped leaves.
• ‘Tricolor’ has leaves variegated with white and cream.

Wit & Wisdom

• Grow the jade plant in a small pot and hold back the water. This may persuade it to flower. Cooler temperatures in the winter promote blooming, too.
• Jade plants are one of several plants with the nickname of “money plant” and are seen by some as a sign of good luck and prosperity.
• Due to their long lifespans and resiliency, jade plants make great gifts that can last a lifetime.http://www.almanac.com/plant/jade-plant?trk_msg=25LU0OT48KQ4NA2V02J5BLRO78&trk_contact=EEBLFVJ2I0VAQT9EM5JFVJAK9O&trk_sid=G165NLOCSU06MSGN2AH7C94KOO&utm_source=Listrak&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Jade+Plant+(title)&utm_campaign=Companion+Daily