Jade Plant Drooping? 7 Things You’re Doing Absolutely Wrong

The Jade plant makes for an amazing houseplant. Even novice gardeners have no trouble caring for them and they bring a refreshing sense of beauty to the home. Most people receive them as housewarming gifts.

If you have a jade plant drooping problem, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered!

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Why Is My Jade Plant Drooping?

Jade plants are low maintenance and very easy to care for. If your jade plant is inexplicably drooping, there are a few things you could be doing wrong.

Overzealous plant parents often water the plant too much or apply too much fertilizer. Both these factors can cause drooping in jade plants. They can lead to other more serious problems later.

Here are all the causes your jade plant might be drooping:

1. Watering Issues

Overwatering is the most common cause of drooping in jade plants. Underwatering can also cause drooping, but this can be easily fixed by increasing the amount of water.

Overwatering, on the other hand, is a far more serious problem. It makes the plant droop, the stems and leaves turn mushy and translucent and if left unchecked, it can prove fatal to the plant.

This is because overwatering damages the roots of the plant. They are unable to draw up nutrients from the soil, which slowly kills the plant.

2. Drainage Issues

Poor drainage is also a serious problem for jade plants. You might be following a good watering schedule, but it will remain ineffective if the soil doesn’t drain well.

While potting the jade plant, make sure you use a good succulent soil mix to ensure quick drainage. Mix it with perlite or pumice in equal quantities and you will never have to worry about drainage issues in your jade plant.

Peat is also a popular option for fast-draining soil. However, it can start repelling water when it gets dry. You need more water to moisten the soil later. In any case, proceed with caution while using peat in your potting mix.

3. Root Rot

All succulents are vulnerable to root rot. This disease makes the roots decompose in the soil, turning them black. They are unable to draw up nutrients or water for the soil, which eventually kills the plant.

Root rot is directly caused by overwatering and poor drainage. When the roots stand in water for too long, the soil turns anaerobic, making it a breeding ground for pathogens. When a plant contracts root rot, the roots turn brown and mushy until they inevitably die.

4. Inadequate Light

Jade plants need partial light to thrive. Too much or too little exposure to sunlight can cause damage to the plant.

With insufficient sunlight, the stems of the jade plant don’t develop properly. They remain thin and are unable to support the thick leaves, which makes them droop. The leaves also get progressively smaller when they don’t receive enough light.

If your jade plant is outdoors, it will love the morning and evening sunlight but do not expose it to harsh afternoon sunlight. This will cause sunburn in the leaves. Move them indoors during this time or provide temporary cover.

5. Unsuitable Temperature

Jade plants do well in the summer but cannot tolerate harsh winters. They are dormant during the winter like most succulents, but they cannot withstand frost or freezing temperatures.

They can not survive in temperatures lower than 40 degrees F. Too much heat is also not recommended for jade plants.

6. Over Fertilizing

Jade plants can make do without fertilizer. They are hardy and will grow in poor soil too. However, too much fertilizer can end up burning the roots.

Using a mild fertilizer once a year is enough for jade plants. Never use fertilizer during their dormant period in the winter, it will do more harm than good.

7. Improper Repotting

If your jade plant is droopy, never try repotting as a solution. It doesn’t work. Repotting causes a lot of stress to the plant—it has to get acclimated to a new environment and the roots need more energy to bind themselves to the soil.

How Do You Fix a Droopy Jade Plant?

The solution to a droopy jade plant depends on the cause of the issue. Here’s what you can do to restore your plant if you are facing any of the above issues:

1. Watering

Underwatering is easily fixed, just increase the amount or frequency of watering.

For overwatering, you need to first let the soil dry out completely. Now, when you start watering, water again only when the soil is at least halfway dry. You can stick a wooden stick in the soil to check the moisture level.

Jade plants are drought resistant and do not need much water. Watering once a month or once every 3 weeks is sufficient. However, when you water the plant, make sure you soak it thoroughly.

2. Drainage

To ensure that your jade plant has good drainage, use a specialized potting mix made for succulents. Peat is a good addition for enhancing drainage.

While using a peat mixture, you will need a lot more water to soak the soil when it is dry. If you want to avoid this, just use perlite or pumice in a 1:1 ratio with the potting mix.

3. Root Rot

Root rot is not always treatable. If it has spread too far into the plant, you cannot salvage it.

If it is in the early stages, you can still save it. Remove the jade plant from its pot carefully. Brush away all the soil from the roots so they are clearly visible. Now, using a clean pair of shears, cut away all the rotting roots.

Inspect the plant thoroughly. Only healthy parts should remain. Let the plant dry in the sunlight for a few days. When the wounds have healed, repot it in a new, clean pot.

4. Light

Ideally, you should place a jade plant in a south-facing window where it can get at least 4 hours of sunlight every day.

Unfortunately, fixing the light issue does not help thicken the stems. You need to prune them and let the plant grow new, thicker stems that will be able to support the weight of the leaves.

If your jade plant is outdoors, make sure it doesn’t face scorching hot rays. Move it to a partially shaded area to protect it from sunburn.

5. Temperature

If you live in an area that faces extreme temperatures, it is best to move the jade plant to a temperature-controlled environment indoors.

Jade plants thrive in a mild desert climate. Anything between 65 degrees F to 75 degrees F will make your jade plant very happy.

6. Fertilizing

Use a balanced fertilizer once a year during the growing season in spring or summer. Compost is also a good source of organic nutrition for jade plants and it doesn’t shock the roots.

If you are using a liquid fertilizer, dilute it to quarter strength and apply it to the soil directly. If the soil is dry, mist it with water first.

You can reapply fertilizer in a small dose during spring. Don’t overdo it and never use fertilizer during its dormant period.

7. Repotting

Never repot your jade plant to solve drooping. You can repot to a different container once every 2 to 3 years to aid growth.

Always do it during spring or the growing season. This gives it a better chance at getting used to the new surroundings.