It's easy to keep a jade plant alive and thriving - as long as you remember to water it regularly. But how often should you water your jade plant? The answer may surprise you: jade plants are actually quite drought-tolerant, and they don't need to be watered as often as other houseplants. In fact, you should only water your jade plant every two weeks.
If you water it more frequently than that, you run the risk of overwatering, which can lead to root rot. So if you're wondering how often to water a jade plant, the answer is simple: wait until the soil is dry before watering again. Your jade plant will thank you for it!
Jade plant care tips
Watering: Jades prefer regular watering once every two to three weeks, although this depends on how much sun they get. It's best to give them plenty of room to spread their roots, so don't over-water.
The best way to water a jade plant is to pour water slowly onto the soil until it drains out of the pot's bottom.
Feeding: Jades love being fed by hand, but you can use an automatic feeder instead. The easiest way to provide a jade is to place a small amount of food into its pot. Be careful to keep the soil dry out between feedings.
Fertilizing: Jades require little fertilizer, but you can add some to the top layer of soil if needed.
Repotting: Repotting is recommended once every two to three years. This helps prevent root rot and encourages new growth. To report:
- Loosen the soil around the base of the plant and remove any old compost or mulch.
- Add fresh potting mix, then fill the hole back up.
- Water well after planting.
Pests: Aphids and whiteflies can damage jades, so keep an eye out for these insects. Remove infested plants immediately.
Temperature: Jade plants thrive at temperatures ranging from 68° F to 86° F (20° C to 30° C). Temperatures below 50° F (10° C) or above 90° F (32° C) can lead to leaf drop.
Do you water a jade plant from the top or bottom?
It's best to water a jade plant from the top. If a jade plant is wet from the bottom, the bottom of the plant will remain too dry. Watering the plant from the bottom also ensures that the plant is overwatered, causing root rot. Water the plant from the top.
What causes dropping jade plant leaves?
It will drop its leaves if your Jade Plant doesn't receive enough water. This behavior is usually seen in Jade plants just being moved into a new area. The plant is trying to send out a signal of distress and is trying to tell you it requires more water. Therefore, ensure you give it more water immediately; the leaves will grow back in a few days.
Do jade plants need a lot of sunlight?
Jade needs two to three hours of morning and evening sun but no afternoon sun. So if you live somewhere that gets very hot in the summer, you should move your Jade indoors.
How do I make my jade plant bushy?
There are two main ways to help your jade plant grow bushier. The first is pruning it regularly (cutting off parts of the plant to eliminate woody stems so that the growing tips can fill in the gaps). This can be a bit of work and will require a good pair of pruning shears.
The other thing you can do to encourage bushiness is to bury a couple of small pieces of wood (like little twigs or pencil shavings) when you repot the plant. This will help the plant add more growth and thicken up.
How long can jade plants go without water?
Jades can survive for 1-3 months without water, but they'll eventually start to wilt and die. You should only leave your jade plant outside during summer, as it needs direct sunlight to stay healthy. You can bring it inside and put it under a heat lamp during winter.
How to water a Jade Plant (Video)
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What does an overwatered jade look like?
Overwatering your jade plant is a surefire way to kill it. An overwatered jade will have leaves that are soft, yellow, and drooping. The stem may be discolored or have rot, and the plant may be wilting. If you think you have overwatered your jade, there are a few things you can do to save it.
First, stop watering it immediately and allow the soil to dry out completely. Next, remove any leaves that are yellow or drooping. Finally, repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil. With a little care, your overwatered jade can recover and thrive.
2. Can a jade plant survive indoors?
Yes. A jade plant can survive outdoors all year round. However, it needs some light to flourish. Indoors, you can use a bright spot such as a window or a sunny corner.
3. How do you rehydrate a jade plant?
You can rehydrate a jaded plant by soaking it in lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. After this time, gently remove the soil around the base of the stem and place the plant in a fresh potting mix.
4. Does Jade need misting?
No, Jade plants don't need misting. They prefer to be kept dry.
5. Do jade plants like small pots?
Jades love big pots. They thrive better in bigger pots than smaller ones.
Conclusion:
Jade plants are easy to grow and come in various sizes and colors. One of the best things about Jade plants is that they do not need to be watered often (if at all). They only need to be watered if the soil is dry. So even if you have the plant indoors, you don't have to worry about watering it too often since they don't even need much water to survive.
