The Ultimate Guide to Jade Plants: Keeping Your Green Friends Thriving
First things first: jade plants are a beautiful addition to any home—and pretty hardy for their good looks. But to the seasoned plant whisperer and the fair-weather newbie alike, coaxing them into thriving feels like a challenge. Fear not—I’m here to impart the simple tips and tricks I’ve learned through the years that will help you take care of your jade like a pro. If you follow these steps, you’ll have the most impressive jade in your neighborhood in no time.
1. Watering: Not Too Little, Not Too Much
The common wisdom about jade plants is not to give them too much water, as they are succulents. Hah, but I have to be honest with you — the reality is that more people technically underwater this plant than water it too often. While they are waterwise, they are not waterless and neglect will result in disaster. How many times have you forgotten to water your plant for way too long and the poor thing ends up wilting and dropping leaves?
It is somewhat of balancing act, really. So, how do you tell when your jade is thirsty? Simple—use a moisture meter! You should water your plant when it reaches the dry zone. No playing the guessing game, and no please water twice a week commands. Jades like consistency, but not on any sort of timeline. Mine get watered maybe every couple weeks in the summer and probably once a month (3-4 weeks) in the winter. However, always listen to what your plant is telling you — not the calendar.
2. Light: The More, The Merrier
Did you know jade plants can take on a plum-colored hue in strong sunlight? This is a natural reaction and a sign of a healthy, thriving plant. Just be cautious—if the leaves start to turn completely purple, it may be getting too much sun. Adjust the exposure as needed.
If you’re in a room with little natural light, no worries! You can invest in a grow light to mimic sunlight and keep your jade happy and healthy.
3. Pruning: Don’t Be Afraid to Trim
One mistake jade owners do is not pruning their plants often enough. But here comes the secret: jades love to be trimmed! In pruning, it encourages growth; your jade will be more bushy with thicker stems. For every branch you cut, two new ones grow in its place and make your plant fuller and stronger.
When you are pruning, you need to think of where you would like the new growth to branch. Cut directly above a leaf so that’s the way it will grow. If you find you’re not satisfied, then that is always when further pruning may be done.
4. Propagation: Create New Plants
Pruning gives you a great opportunity to propagate your jade, and if not for that, at least you are not throwing those cuttings away. This will turn them into new plants. You can do this either with a stem cutting or even a single leaf. Cut the lower leaves off, plant the remaining part in the soil, and give it proper care; it will root and grow as a new jade plant.
It can be propagated from just one leaf, but it will take many years to grow into any sort of substantial plant. If you want faster results, stick with stem cuttings—they have a higher success rate and grow faster.
5. Common Problems: What Are Those White Spots?
Jade plants are pretty hardy but aren’t wholly without their problems. If you see white spots on the leaves, just know you’re not alone; this is generally caused by mineral deposits from hard water or salts in the soil. These are harmless and can be wiped off with a damp cloth. Concerned or not, you’ll find great resources online for identifying and troubleshooting common jade issues.
Conclusion
Jade plants might seem like a bit of a mystery to you, but they’re actually much easier to care for once you get the hang of it: water when necessary, give plenty of light, prune regularly, and propagate the plant to your heart’s desire. Follow these tips and your jade will thrive-perhaps becoming the crown jewel of your plant collection.
Found these tips helpful? Check out my full in-depth online Houseplant Care course in which you’ll learn all secrets to make your plants thrive!
