How to grow Jade Plant
Though not completely indestructible, it’s hard to kill jade plants (Crassula argentea). They’re slow-growing, and, if kept in small pots, these succulents will stay small for several years. If you really want to think small, you can treat them as bonsai subjects. And if you want your plant to grow big, the jade plant responds well to regular watering and fertilization.
I move mine outside after the danger of frost has past and allow them to soak up the better growing conditions out there. Though the jade plant thrives in bright light, it should be introduced to the full strength of the summertime sun gradually by sheltering it in the shade during the afternoon as the leaves acclimate to brighter conditions. Watering can be hit-or-miss because jade plants are desert dwellers adapted to abuse.
In the home in winter, the plant should be watered less often and receive fertilizer only if in a bright location. It’ll tolerate poor light conditions during winter without flinching, but do keep it on the dry side.
Jade plants grow heavy with water and eventually become top-heavy. Repotting the plant in a larger container will improve its stability, but larger pots can be a problem when space is at a premium. Another solution is to repropagate the plant and start over.
Cuttings can be taken at any season, but spring is an ideal time to propagate jade plant, especially if your plants summer outdoors. Take three to six (or even more) cuttings from the upper part of the plant. Make the cuttings as long as possible without fear of the new plant toppling over.
Rather than stick the cuttings directly into the pot, set them aside for a week to allow the cut stem to dry and seal over. When it’s time to pot, crowd all of the cuttings into a single container. (A 6-inch pot works great, but any size will work.)
Rooting hormone may speed things along, but it isn’t a requirement for rooting. Water the pot as if the cuttings had roots. (In a month or two they will.) The original plant can be discarded or, if you have room to keep it, trim it back severely and allow it to regrow from the stubs.
The most common problem of jade plant is mealybugs – an insect pest that attaches itself at the juncture of the leaf and stem. An easy control is to use cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol – then go at them one at a time.
Another ailment, though certainly less common, is sometimes seen on large, old jade plants: I call it sudden limb drop. In this unusual malady, a major limb will inexplicably fall from the plant without warning. Jade plants have natural suture points on the stem, which allow them to “self-prune” as lower parts of the plant get shaded out by the upper canopy. If a plant has been dry (as it often is during winter) and then suddenly gorges itself with water, these weak sutures can snap off as the water’s weight rushes into the branch.
Several stem rot fungi and at least one bacterial disease can also cause stem collapse, but in these cases it will be easy to see a definite rotten lesion. If there’s no sign of decay, the fallen limb can be rooted. But if decay lesions are noted, trim out the affected portion and back off on your watering.
Different kind of Jade Plants:
May 22nd, 2009 at 7:53 am
Hello, love your jade plant and was most interested in all you wrote, but you did not mention its flowering !!!
I have had my jade plant for years, but last year it FLOWERED !! It was covered all over with the most spectacular white flowers - it started in November and went on till late February - i was delighted - I have been looking for info on how to deal with the plant now as it looks a wee bit sad after all that exertion and wondered if i needed to give it some special treatment to recover !!
Trust you can advise me, love Grania x x
May 27th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
change the soil, get good quality soil.
then water them and do not put them at direct sun. It will burn the leaves.
Send me pictures of what wrong with the jade.
thanks
chris
JadeMaster
September 15th, 2009 at 10:18 am
I just got a brand new baby Jade while I was in the hospital She is very small and crowded into her little pot. Please tell me what type of soil should I use to repot her? What about a few of the leaves that turn kind of a funny brownish red color and seem shriveled & dying. Some of the lower ones are even falling off, as I see above may seem normal.I am lightly watering her about once per week, as the sale tag says keep soil moderately dry. I live in south-central PA and have her in a window that gets pretty good sun for most of the day. Please help. This gorgeous little plant was given to me by my best friend, and I want to keep my Jade forever. Any recommendations on the type of food, how often etc. All help would be greatly appreciated.
Suzanne
September 15th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Hello Suzzane,
Just get the regular clean soil from Home Depot and another bigger pot.
I believe the jade has some sort of leave disease.
Get rid of the disease leaves and replant them in the new pot with the clean soil.
Do not put the jade plant directly under the sun, it will fry them.
Just enough light.
No need special food, the soil has more than enough nutrients.
Hope this helps and good luck
Rgs,
Chris aka the Jade Master
September 16th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Hello Suzzane,
Thanks for visiting the site and how did you find the website?
Just get the regular clean soil from Home Depot and another bigger pot.
I believe the jade has some sort of leave disease.
Get rid of the disease leaves and replant them in the new pot with the clean soil.
Do not put the jade plant directly under the sun, it will fry them.
Just enough light.
No need special food, the soil has more than enough nutrients.
Hope this helps and good luck
Rgs,
Chris aka the Jade Master
September 16th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
You were something like 3rd on a Google search for “jade plant care” or something close to that.
Do you mean I can stick the reddish brown leaves right into the soil like a philodendron? If so, very cool. Thanks for such a speedy reply, and I moved her to a table that gets good light all day, but it is filtered thru sheer curtains. I’ll send hubby out for a bag of soil tomorrow, and when they find him drooling in a corner from being lost in the Home Depot abyss, perhaps I will have it by tomorrow evening.
Take care & kindest regards-
Suzanne
November 24th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
I just seen a jade 8′ tall bottom of trunk is 8″ diameter that is 24″ around never seen one that big its 30 yrs old but it is kinda ugly yours is really nice. My question is and this is why I went looking on the web is there a recored? how big can they grow?
November 25th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Hello John,
The jade plant is the most robust plant God has created and it can grow for centuries.
Thanks
Chris aka the Jade Master.
January 2nd, 2010 at 6:34 pm
Ok So a branch of my jade tree broke off, I want to keep it so do I need to put it in water or just put it stright in soil to make the pice that fell off grow again, and how long will it take for roots to grow please help
January 4th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Kelly,
Just straight into the soil.
The Jade Plant will just grow straight from the soil, make sure it is clean soil and nice clean pot.
Plain and easy.
January 6th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
I have had a jade for about four years now. It is trying to trail as the ones in your picture. The branches are leaning against the side of the pot. I would love to have one with a large trunk standing like your big one. I believe the vaiety is the miniture one (crassula argentea). I have a daughter plant from that one alone in a pot, still quite small. To increase the trunk size do I keep pinching back growth from the top? Today I went out and bought the larger variety with the thicker trunk. There are quite a few of them in the pot. Should I try and seperate one out and put it alone in a pot? I love the look of the thick trunk like a tree.
January 8th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Hello Launne,
To increase the trunk size, remove all the unwanted “trunks” and plant them in other pots or give them away as presents. It is one plant per one pot.
Keep pinching the small shoots growing from the trunks, this way all the energies will be used for trunk and branches building.
Remember, jade plants are like bonsai, you can prune whatever you want and it will grow into the shape you want.
Keep talking to the plants and give them lots of TLC. I talk to my jade plant everyday and I slowly rub the branches with my fingers —-I CAN REALLY FEEL HER!!
Regards,
Chris aka the JadeMaster.
January 19th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Have you ever considered adding more videos to your blog posts to keep the readers more entertained? I mean I just read through the entire article of yours and it was quite good but since I’m more of a visual learner,I found that to be more helpful well let me know how it turns out. This is good…thanks for sharing
January 29th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Its clear to me you know your stuff when it comes to the Jade plant. Would you be interested promoting your site and expertise to my readers by doing an interview with me?
How it works
I will send you a list of question and you just answer them best you can. I will then post the interview on my site. And I will contact my optin list and let them know of this new posting. Of course, you can promote your site anyway you see fit. You can add a link back to your home page for adsense revenue, to sell a plant, product or service. Its your call. Best of all…this It can all be done by e-mail quickly and easily.
If you are at all interested getting more visitors to your site, let me know.
Take care
Steve
January 30th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
Steve,
It would be a real pleasure to work with you.
Please send an email at chrisgoh@wineinwashington.com or chrisgoh11@yahoo.com
thanks and have a good day
Chris aka JadeMaster
January 30th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Brian,
Yes, I plan on getting a video up and the updating the latest statistics on the jade plant but I got to much to do at this moment.
Thanks for sharing
Chris aka the JadeMaster.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:02 pm
Dear JadeMaster,
Help me please!!! I have had my jade tree for about 2 1/2 years. It was started from a cutting from my grandmother’s 30 year old tree much like your large one - both are beautiful
SooOOo anyways, I sort of butchered it. (*blushes*)
I was repotting the tree to get rid of the small flies or gnats that were in the soil (which weren’t killing the tree but were very annoying.) Because I had had the tree so long, I expected that there would be a well established root system, but there was only *one* little tiny feeder root and it broke.
I panicked (sort of like I am now) and read that the fresh breaks root very easily, so I broke a few inches off the trunk to expose some “fresh flesh,” re-potted and watered it in the new clean pot. Now having read this page, I’m not sure that I have done the right thing for my developing tree.
What should I do? Should I take it from the soil, add rooting hormone and dry it for a couple days before putting it back in the pot? Or is it ok to leave it as it is now?
My poor tree! Help!
Leigh
February 9th, 2010 at 1:28 pm
Hello Leigh,
Let the jade plant sit for 3-4 days and spray with light dish washing liquid. This will hopefully get rid of the bugs.
Then, replant her in a super clean pot with new soil.
Lastly, say a good karma prayer and give her lots of TLC.
Good Luck
Chris aka the JadeMaster
P/s do not use any extra root hormone or fertilizer sticks– unnecessary-it is like over feeding!Let nature takes its course. Patience Patience Patienc
February 26th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
I have a HUGE over grown jade plant in my back yard, what is the best way to trim an old jade with out killing it
May 9th, 2010 at 4:42 am
Hello,
I have a plant that looks very similar to the first ones in the string of pics under “Different kind of Jade Plants:”. In the pic it looks like it has pink flowers; can you tell me the official name, that I may research it further. I bought the only little lovely at Home Depot & all the label said was ‘tropical foliage’. I thought it was a kind of Euphorbia, and it’s lost all its leaves lately. Seems like its really struggling to survive. I am thinking I must be watering it too much. If it turns out this is really a Jade, that would explain why I haven’t been able to find it on the Euphorbia websites. Any info you can share beyond the name would be awesome too. Please and thanks in advance.
Anna
May 10th, 2010 at 9:51 am
How come on my 1st jade tree the leaves are small and on my 2nd jade tree the leaves are big when I put my thumb on the leave the leaf is bigger then my thumb. My 1st jade tree has white on the leaves, but I can take a cloth and wipe the leaf and it comes off what is it and can my 2nd jade plant get it
May 12th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
I have a one and a half to two year old jade plant. It is growing very well. However, In the same 12in pot i have six healthy stems. I want my plant to look like yours. I have never pruned it because I thought it was to young. I just repotted it two weeks ago from an 8in pot to the twelve. I think that the stems are to close to seperate them. Five of the six stems are spaced at an inch apart one is three inches away all arranged in a circle. The biggest and healthest is in the mix with the five stems. The thickest stem is 3/4 of an inch and the tallest is one foot. All my stems have several branches on their tops. In the the middle of the stems are several small shutes that look like a jade bush, they just sprouted on their own. My main question is, can i seperate all of these without killing them? What about the new shutes in the middle? If I do seperate them how long till I can begin prunnig back? How often should I do it? When I re-pot these plants I will no longer need a 12 pot what size do you reccommend?
Thank you,
Mike
June 4th, 2010 at 8:20 am
HI,
I have 3 young jade plants .. I have them about 2 years…. they were all in one large pot.. now I have them in 3 medium sized separate pots. They were very tiny and are growing very tall but no branches on any of them.
How do I get them to branch out?..
Thanks, Mimi
June 4th, 2010 at 11:34 am
I have a fair size Jade that bloomed for the first time in 10 years but it doing something now that I can’t find any info on…
At some of the “joints” on the branches, roots are sprouting out.
Is there something in particular I should do?
Thanks!
Tee
June 5th, 2010 at 8:10 am
eric:
February 26th, 2010 at 4:07 pm edit
I have a HUGE over grown jade plant in my back yard, what is the best way to trim an old jade with out killing it
********************************
I would to see that jade plant. Just prune it just like a bush.
Good Luck
Chris aka the JadeMaster
June 5th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Anna:
May 9th, 2010 at 4:42 am edit
Hello,
I have a plant that looks very similar to the first ones in the string of pics under “Different kind of Jade Plants:”. In the pic it looks like it has pink flowers; can you tell me the official name, that I may research it further. I bought the only little lovely at Home Depot & all the label said was ‘tropical foliage’. I thought it was a kind of Euphorbia, and it’s lost all its leaves lately. Seems like its really struggling to survive. I am thinking I must be watering it too much. If it turns out this is really a Jade, that would explain why I haven’t been able to find it on the Euphorbia websites. Any info you can share beyond the name would be awesome too. Please and thanks in advance.
Anna
*********************
Anna, yes it is a different kind of jade plant and I believe I got that from Thailand. In that part of the world, the jade plants are gorgeous,with beautiful pink white blooming flowers.
Chris
June 5th, 2010 at 8:15 am
kelley:
May 10th, 2010 at 9:51 am edit
How come on my 1st jade tree the leaves are small and on my 2nd jade tree the leaves are big when I put my thumb on the leave the leaf is bigger then my thumb. My 1st jade tree has white on the leaves, but I can take a cloth and wipe the leaf and it comes off what is it and can my 2nd jade plant get it
***********************************
White spots–means it has fungus or disease.
Time to replace the soil and pot.
Do not put that disease plant close to any of your indoor plants-this is like quarantine
Good Luck
Chris aka JadeMaster
June 5th, 2010 at 8:17 am
Michael:
May 12th, 2010 at 3:18 pm edit
I have a one and a half to two year old jade plant. It is growing very well. However, In the same 12in pot i have six healthy stems. I want my plant to look like yours. I have never pruned it because I thought it was to young. I just repotted it two weeks ago from an 8in pot to the twelve. I think that the stems are to close to seperate them. Five of the six stems are spaced at an inch apart one is three inches away all arranged in a circle. The biggest and healthest is in the mix with the five stems. The thickest stem is 3/4 of an inch and the tallest is one foot. All my stems have several branches on their tops. In the the middle of the stems are several small shutes that look like a jade bush, they just sprouted on their own. My main question is, can i seperate all of these without killing them? What about the new shutes in the middle? If I do seperate them how long till I can begin prunnig back? How often should I do it? When I re-pot these plants I will no longer need a 12 pot what size do you reccommend?
Thank you,
Mike
******************
Mike-Yes, you can separate those stems-do not be afraid-jade plants are hardy plants.
Always get the next big size pot, the roots will grow well and your plants will be happy too.
Chris
June 5th, 2010 at 8:19 am
Mimi:
June 4th, 2010 at 8:20 am edit
HI,
I have 3 young jade plants .. I have them about 2 years…. they were all in one large pot.. now I have them in 3 medium sized separate pots. They were very tiny and are growing very tall but no branches on any of them.
How do I get them to branch out?..
Thanks, Mimi
*********************
Mimi-do they have enough sunlight? Do not put them in direct sun-it will burn the leaves-just light.
Patience my dear- branches will sprout out soon. It is all about patience and lots of TLC.
Good luck
chris aka the JadeMaster
June 5th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Tracey:
June 4th, 2010 at 11:34 am edit
I have a fair size Jade that bloomed for the first time in 10 years but it doing something now that I can’t find any info on…
At some of the “joints” on the branches, roots are sprouting out.
Is there something in particular I should do?
Thanks!
Tee
**********************
Tracey-congrats on the flowering-did you enjoy the beautiful gorgeous color?
“joints” on the branches, roots are sprouting out.—- that is good–you can prune them and put in another pot and give it to your friends.
I have so many like these that I give them all away.
Good Job
Chris
June 6th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
Thank Chris,
Do you happen to know the name or any other info so I can research further? I have just been watering it a lot less and it seems to be recovering, but I love to research. Please & thanks!!
Warmest,
Anna
June 6th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Well look at this! Thanks for the clues!!!
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://bp2.blogger.com/_cWnXkDEsl-s/SCyAL4u5r6I/AAAAAAAABWk/q1rtBBIaC_4/s400/Adenium-Thai-Socotranum.jpg&imgrefurl=http://bonsai-nursery.blogspot.com/2008/05/adenium-thai-socotranum.html&usg=__sSZiJJaM89gtU1w2Xs0qAOL712I=&h=303&w=400&sz=53&hl=en&start=7&sig2=q7LxAWUWgLAqkyoxhqdscw&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=bOHULXD9jKhFmM:&tbnh=94&tbnw=124&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dthai%2Bjade%2Bbonsai%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1G1GGLQ_ENUS248%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=e24MTJK2KYnGMrCQmLYE
June 8th, 2010 at 5:48 pm
I have a Jade plant with the round leaves. It is about 7 years old, stands about three feet high. It has been going well until recently. It has started to look spindly and the leaves are constantly dropping off. The leaves that drop are healthy full looking leaves. It was repotted about 18 months ago but it was still very healthy until about three months ago. I am tempted to give it a good prune and let it bush out again - would this ee the right thing to do?
The plant was a gift when I opened my business & I always have felt it was a good luck plant. I need the plant to be healthy.
June 9th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
Louise:
June 8th, 2010 at 5:48 pm edit
I have a Jade plant with the round leaves. It is about 7 years old, stands about three feet high. It has been going well until recently. It has started to look spindly and the leaves are constantly dropping off. The leaves that drop are healthy full looking leaves. It was repotted about 18 months ago but it was still very healthy until about three months ago. I am tempted to give it a good prune and let it bush out again - would this ee the right thing to do?
The plant was a gift when I opened my business & I always have felt it was a good luck plant. I need the plant to be healthy.
*************************
Louise:
Yes,a good idea is to change the soil and get new pot.
Yes, give a good prune as JadePlant is a hardy plant.–do not be afraid.
Yes, jade plant is called the money plant aka the lucky plant.
Good Luck
chris
June 12th, 2010 at 7:15 am
HI Chris
Thanks for your answer. They are in a North facing bay window. The giant one I have is also there and does well, so I think the light is good. I put one of the small ones outdoors in a wicker plant stand for the summer.. (filtered light) .It is getting a tiny sprout on the side, as is one of the indoor ones, so I guess it is a matter of time. Should I take the outdoor one in? Can they take the summer heat as long as the sun is not on it? I am on Long Island in NY and summers are hot and humid.
Thanks for your help.
Mimi
June 24th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
What is the name of the beautiful pink flowering jade? Any idea where I can purchase? Thank you!
August 26th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Hi Chris,
I was just curious to know what kind of jade plant was in the first picture at the top. I have been looking for one like this but can only find the variegated species of plants the ones that are a lighter green with red trim. I really like the original looking jade with the dark green and think leaves but can’t seem to find one just these variegated ones. They look nice but would like what I consider an “original” jade plant.
Also I have had a jade plant for a couple of years now and the trunk size doesn’t seem to be increasing in size at all it is gettin taller but I am afraid after while it will not be able to support itself. Basically what can I do to increase the size of the trunk and help prevent it getting to top heavy thus making it fall over.
Also I was curious on how to make it bushier I keep reading about prunning but not sure about the best way to go about it. Should I prune it close to a leaf or in the middle of the branch or at the trunk. I have had bad experiences with pruning due to myself doing it and then the branch dying all together or the entire plant dying so i kind of stopped doing that but I know it needs done in order to get the look I want.
I know these are some pretty novice questions and you have probably answered them many times over but if you could help me that would be great, Thanks for you time, Petie
August 29th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Petie Wheatstraw:
If you are in my area, let me know-I can give you a branch of the jade plant.
For pruning, you want to remove the middle so the energies will go towards the trunk.
Good Luck
Chris aka the JadeMaster
August 29th, 2010 at 10:12 am
Hi Chris,
I wrote to you in the beginning of June about 3 scrawny jades babies. Now in almost September the tops are so full of leaves the spindly stem has to be propped up to hold them. Should I report deeper or trim the tops? Also the mama plant became too big for the window where it lives.. it is hitting the glass and getting deformed. I have no other window large enough. Should I get one of those “grow” lights and put on a table?It is huge and beautiful and I don’t want to kill it..
September 1st, 2010 at 8:57 am
Hey Chris I live in Cincinnati not sure it thats near you bcuz not sure where your at. If your down to send one out my way thats cool but give me an email address and I’ll send you my info.