The Jade plant is a great option for the garden and home, as it’s both simple and easy to care for.
Many choose to grow Jade plants because they are considered to be symbols of good luck, although they can also add a splash of colour to indoor and outdoor spaces.
Growing jade plants indoors
The most important factors to consider when growing Jade plants indoors are location, light, water, temperature, and fertilizer.
When it comes to caring for this plant, watering them properly is key.
If you let a jade plant dry out completely, there is no return. At the same time, do not water too often, as this can cause root rot.
For best results, you should water when the top of the soil is dry to the touch.
Tips for growing jade plants
In order to give your Jade plants the best chance of growing successfully, you should consider the following factors:
- Place in a robust container using an all-purpose, quality soil blend that will drain thoroughly. Too much moisture can encourage root rot.
- When considering what soil to use, opt for a cactus mix with a little organic matter. Alternatively, use a mix of one part sphagnum peat moss and one part sterilized organic soil, with three parts coarse sand.
- Jade plants are renowned for their wide stems and this can mean in due course they become top-heavy. To avoid the plant from toppling, opt for a wide and sturdy pot.
Ailments
If your Jade plant has leaf spots or is losing leaves, this is probably because you haven’t given it enough water.
Similarly, if it’s struggling to flourish, it’s possibly due to the fact it is lacking full sunlight, which these species require in order to grow properly.
Unless placed in the correct environment, these plants are likely to become stunted and leggy.
In terms of temperature, these plants thrive in day time temperatures of 18°C and 24°C and evening temperatures of 10°C to 13°C.
Pests and diseases
Like most plants, Jade is often susceptible to a number of pests and diseases.
Of these, the main ones to affect Jade plants are:
- Watch out for mealybugs, as these often hide under the leaves and stems. To remove these bugs, either wipe them off using a sterile cloth or use a simple spray bottle of water and a cotton swab.
- Powdery mildew is another common ailment.
- Root rot can occur if the plant receives too much water.
- Leaf drop on the other hand is a sign the plant hasn’t received enough water.
Fertilizing your Jade plant
If you can, fertilize your Jade plant once every six months, using a balanced water-soluble fertilizer.
Top tips include watering your jade plant regularly and then watering it with fertilizer water.
However, you should avoid fertilizing your jade plant when the soil is dry, as this can cause damage to the roots.
Pruning Jade plants
These species are hardy, aesthetically-pleasing plants, which are extremely easy to grow.
If they get too big, you will need to prune them, but only if you wish to keep them at a particular size.
Normally, Jade plant pruning is only required if the plant is older or overgrown. Pruning isn’t however necessary for the health of the plant itself.
It’s important to limit your pruning, as doing so can expose the plant to bacterial damage, which can weaken, or in the worst-case scenario, kill the plant.
When trimming the plant back, never eradicate more than 20% to 30% of the branches.
Once you have decided which branches to remove, eliminate them using a clean pair of sharp pruning shears, opting for the branches that sit nearest to the node in order to keep the plant looking shapely and full.
When to prune a Jade plant
The best time to prune a Jade plant is in the spring or summer.
Despite this, they can be pruned all year round if necessary.
Pruning in spring or summer will encourage a faster recovery because the plants are in active growth. Jade plants are extremely easy to root, which means you can grow your plants for friends and family to give away as gifts too.
Basic indoor care
Jade plants are the lifeblood of many gardener’s plant collections, and come in the shape of a popular indoor plant!
One of the reasons for their popularity is because these succulents are so easy to care for, which is why they make great houseplants.
By following a few simple tips, these gorgeous plants will thrive for many years to come.
A key thing to remember is to move the plants away from cold windowpanes and out of drafts during the winter months.
Types of jade plants
There are numerous types of Jade plants to choose from, yet despite this, all species come with the same care requirements.
Some of these include the common Jade plant (crassula) variety, the ‘Gollum’ variety (which features lengthy, narrow, and rounded leaves), the dwarf Jade succulent (which is ideal for growing in a miniature indoor succulent garden), and the ‘Jitters’ specie (which boasts an abundance of wavy leaves).
Other prevalent varieties include:
- ‘Hummel’s Sunset’ which boasts a beautiful yellow hue, complete with red-tipped leaves.
- ‘Tricolor’ which comes in the shape of a plant with variegated leaves, complete with shades of white and cream.
How to plant the Jade plant
The jade plant can easily be grown from a stem or leaf cuttings, so here we’ve listed some steps for how to root jade plant leaves and cuttings.
How to root Jade plant cuttings
Start by removing the cutting – for best results choose a branch that is three to four inches long, free from disease, and healthy.
To remove the branch, use a clean, sharp knife.
The next step requires you to set the cutting aside to dry. This will prevent bacteria from forming.
To do this, simply rest the cutting in a warm, dry place – only removing when a callus develops. This usually takes between one and two weeks.
To further prevent disease, dust the Jade plant cuttings with a rooting hormone that contains an anti-fungal compound.
Once the cut on the Jade plant has dried, place it into a potting mixture of half soil and half vermiculite or perlite.
Once settled, water sparingly. After it has rooted, you can treat the cutting as you would treat a normal Jade plant.
Propagating Jade Plants from Leaves
Even if you’re only able to harvest a few leaves from the plant, you can still propagate it.
Begin the process by selecting a healthy leaf, removing it from the plant using a sharp pair of scissors.
Lay the leaf to rest on a potting mixture with half soil, half vermiculite, or half perlite.
Water the potting mixture sparingly, waiting until the leaf reveals roots.
The leaf will begin to show tiny plants (also known as plantlets), which will take around two weeks to two months to show.
You should only treat the plant as you would a normal Jade plant once they measure a few inches in height.
Interesting facts about the Jade plant
- For best results, grow the jade plant in a small pot and avoid watering excessively. This is a good way to encourage the plant to flower. Cooler temperatures in the winter also promote flowers to bloom.
- Jade plants have been nicknamed “money plants” and are said to be a sign of good luck and prosperity.
- Due to their long lifecycles and hardiness, Jade plants make great gifts, as when cared for correctly, they can last a lifetime.
Although there is plenty to consider when planting Jade, they remain a popular option for indoor and outdoor spaces.
If you have any other tips for growing Jade plants we’d love to hear from you too so that we can share them with our readers.
Start growing some plants. Should you prefer flowers or plants, garden centers, and online florists have an abundance of choice, many of which offer same and next day flower delivery.
Sources: gardeningknowhow.com, getbusygardening.com
Content retrieved from: https://www.serenataplants.com/jade/.
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