8 Ways How to Care for Jade Plants [Outdoors and Indoors]

Jade plants are one of the most popular succulents that can instantly elevate any workspace, living room or private space. They are lively and incredibly beautiful and when kept in a good container, add to the aesthetic appeal of indoor spaces.

But how do you ensure they remain as lively and gorgeous as it is and do not betray signs of degeneration and rot.

How to Care for Jade Plants: 8 Things You Should Know

The fleshy oval leaves of the jade plant are immensely attractive. It grows slowly, but with the right care, it can turn into a truly envious addition to your indoor space. These are undemanding plants and if you get the basics right, you are good to go!

Light : Do Jade Plants Need Direct Sunlight?

Jade plants love their moment under the sun. Well, not literally, and you should never place them outdoors with the scorching sun right above their head. This can be counterproductive to small, growing jade plants.

However, sunlight exposure for 4-6 hours is good for jade plants. They enjoy it and use it to grow well to their optimum strength. The source of sunlight exposure should be indirect, so think about smart ways of exposing them to the sun.

If you don’t give them the required sunlight and place them in a dingy corner in a room removed from sun exposure, they will stop growing, the leaves will get shriveled and the plant will look leggy.

Water : How Do I Know If My Jade Plant Needs Water?

Like most succulents, jade plants need limited water. In fact, overwatering can lead to rot and may lead to infections and bug infestations. But still, watering needs to be done. So what are the water requirements of a jade plant and how do you know it needs some?

You should water them regularly in the summer season, especially if you live in a part of the world that is prone to the harsh, unforgiving sun. The trick, however, is to keep the soil moist and not wet.

The watering frequency needs to be lowered in the winter months. Also, it is never advisable to make a jade plant sit in a pool of water because that would be its end.

If the leaves develop spots or if they start to drop, it is a sign the plant needs water. Furthermore, if the top crust of the soil of the jade plant is flaky and dry, you should consider it a sign that the plant needs water.

Soil : What Type Of Soil Should I Use For Jade Plant?

Succulents have specific soil requirements that are vastly different from that of a regular plant. Even if you are a seasoned organic farmer, tending for succulents is a completely different ball game.

When it comes to finding the right soil mix for the jade plant, it is best to go with a succulent potting mix from a reputed nursery. This will have the necessary nutrients needed to aid its growth.

If that’s not possible, you should go with soil that has a neutral to slightly acidic pH level, has good drainage (sand usually takes care of this) and doesn’t let water stand. This is important to avoid any potential fungal infections that tend to occur in wet soil.

Perlite is often used by people for drainage in case they use an all-purpose potting mix for their jade plant. This is something you may consider.

Humidity : Do Jade Plants Like to Be Misted?

Jade plants do not like to be misted. Misting usually increases the humidity levels around a plant and jade plants do not like this. In fact, they repulse excess humidity, which is not conducive to their growth.

With misting and increased humidity, jade plants tend to develop leaf infections. It may also weaken the root and slowly the plant can rot and die. Humidity is also linked to increased fungal infections.

Jade plants, like a lot of other succulents, enjoy arid and dry conditions and misting only forces them to adapt to something that they are not cut out for. So, don’t do this!

Fertilizer : Are Coffee Grounds Good for Jade Plants?

You can fertilize your jade plant twice a year. This is a plant that does not need fertilizers every fifteen days. A balanced water-soluble fertilizer works best for jade plants. Coffee grounds are great, too!

It is important to note that you should never add fertilizer to the dried soil of the jade plant. The correct way of giving fertilizer to your jade plant is watering it with fertilizer post watering it the regular way. This way, the plant doesn’t get too overwhelmed and is able to soak in the nutrients present in the fertilizer.

Overfertilization can be dangerous for the plant and can even cause its root to rot. So, don’t even think of doing this.

Container : Do Jade Plants like Small Pots?

No. Jade plants prefer larger pots with room to grow and don’t like being crowded.

Jade plants are most likely to thrive when they’re allowed a lot of soil and pot space, so you should choose an appropriately sized pot for the plant’s size.

For most jades, a container that’s approximately 5 inches deep is usually about right. If your jade is still a young plant, it may be worth trying something smaller until your jade starts growing taller.

Terracotta pots work wonderfully in giving a home to jade plants, this is because they have an excellent drainage system that doesn’t let water stand and thereby keeps bugs and fungal infections at bay.

Though glass containers and terrariums are used by people popularly, they are not great long-term potting solutions. This would also mean you having to change the container frequently because they lack excellent drainage.

Additionally, the terracotta market has really grown well and adapted to the times. There are beautiful terracotta pots available for succulents that are charming in their own way. In fact, the juxtaposition of the jade’s green and the earthy accents of the terracotta pot may just be what you need to amp up your design game.

Don’t diss it without even trying! There is a novelty in trying and you should totally avail that.

Or check out these self-watering pots that are suitable for jade plants.

Repotting : How Do You Know When to Repot a Jade Plant?

Though there are no universal rules to repotting, it is recommended you repot the jade plant once every couple of years. Sometimes, summer months also require repotting a jade plant.

Remember, repotting encourages growth and can make your jade plant bushier. If you have a large plant, you can repot it once every 4-5 years.

Location : Where Should You Place a Jade Plant?

The brightest spot in your home deserves to house the jade plant. Think of it like this, it can be the place you go for some much-needed inspiration!

If you keep them in a place that doesn’t get a lot of sun, they will survive because they are resilient and easy plants to manage. However, they won’t thrive. They love the sun and you should, therefore, ideally place them by a window that gets a good amount of sunlight for at least 4-6 hours in a day.

It goes without saying but jade plants won’t survive cold weather so anything that gets frost and cold weather is a big no-no for jade plants. This may mean you having to shift the plant as the seasons change. So, be prepared!

In a nutshell, the morning sun is great for the jade plant but not the scorching sun. Similarly, don’t keep them out in overly harsh winter months unless you want to lose them.

How Do I Make My Jade Plant Bushy?

A thick jade plant is even more charming than one with scanty leaves spread at a distance. The good bit about this is that with a few simple care tips, you can make your jade plant bushy and thicker.

• Pruning the jade plant at the right locations can lead to the springing of newer leaves around that area, making the plant thicker.
• You should also tend to the sunlight needs of the jade plant to help it attain maximum growth that also adds to its thickness. A sunlight exposure of 4-6 hours is considered optimum.
• The drainage system of the container it is kept in should be excellent. This will ensure the jade plant grows to its maximum potential with a number of densely arranged leaves.
• Finally, you need to check out any bugs or diseases because those can truly act as impediments to the growth of your jade plant.

The Final Word

Jade plants are gorgeous. Did you know there are 12 kinds of jade plants? They make for excellent housewarming gifts and can truly make your space wonderful. They are considered symbols of good luck and by caring for them and following easy tips and tricks discussed above, you can always keep this harbinger of luck close to yourself.