The jade plant is a popular succulent houseplant with simple indoor care requirements and a very long lifespan of up to 70 years with the proper care. This plant is slow-growing—gaining only about two inches of height per year, but it can reach a total height between three and six feet.
Jade plants feature thick, woody stems topped by green, fleshy leaves with an oval shape. Attractive to look at, you should choose a spot for this houseplant wisely since all parts of the plant are toxic to cats and dogs.
The baby jade plant, also known by its botanical name Crassula ovata, is a small succulent shrub that makes an excellent houseplant. Its thick stems and oval-shaped green leaves can thrive indoors in a pot with minimal care. Proper soil, hydration, sunlight and occasional pruning keeps your container-grown jade healthy and looking its best.
Follow this comprehensive guide to successfully raise a baby jade plant in a pot. We’ll cover picking the ideal container, the right potting mix, watering techniques proper indoor sunlight fertilizing, trimming, and more. With the simple tips in this article, you’ll have a gorgeous jade plant that enhances any living space.
Choosing an Appropriate Pot
Pick a sturdy container with drainage holes in the bottom and a saucer to catch water, Porous terracotta pots allow air circulation to the roots while plastic and glazed ceramic pots retain more moisture
Opt for a pot that is one size larger than the current roots, leaving 2-3 inches for growth around the sides. Jades have shallow root systems and don’t require deep pots. Avoid oversized containers, as this can lead to overwatering.
Make sure your pot has a wide base for stability since jade plants can become top-heavy as they grow. For indoor use, choose an attractive container that complements your decor.
Providing Proper Potting Soil
The ideal potting mix for jade plants is loose, porous and fast-draining. A general cacti/succulent soil blend works perfectly. You can also make your own mix combining:
- 2 parts potting soil
- 1 part perlite or pumice for drainage
- 1 part sand to create a gritty texture
Avoid regular garden soil, as this compacts over time and retains too much moisture. Also resist mixing in peat or moss, which holds onto water.
Add a thin layer of gravel, sand or ornamental rocks atop the soil to limit evaporation and prevent it from splashing on the leaves and stems when watering.
Watering Techniques for Container Jades
Jade plants are drought tolerant, so take care not to overwater your potted plant. Wait until the top inch of soil is completely dry before watering again. The frequency depends on factors like temperature, humidity and sunlight, so adjust as needed.
When watering, soak the soil thoroughly until water drains from the bottom drainage holes. This encourages deep root growth. Avoid shallow waterings, which train roots to stay near the dry surface.
Let excess water drain completely from the saucer to prevent soggy soil. In winter when growth is minimal, you may only need to water every 2-3 weeks.
Providing Bright Indirect Sunlight
Jade plants thrive in very bright light with some direct sun. In a container, situate your jade in a south or west facing window where it will get 4-6 hours of direct sun daily. Filter with a sheer curtain if afternoon sun is too intense.
Rotate the pot regularly so all sides get even sunlight exposure. Supplement with a grow light during fall and winter when daylight hours are shorter. Lack of adequate light causes weak, leggy growth.
Fertilizing for Healthy Development
During the active growing period from spring to summer, fertilize monthly to fuel new growth. Use a balanced liquid succulent fertilizer diluted to half strength. Stop feeding in fall and winter when plants go dormant.
If repotting into fresh soil, you can wait a month before beginning fertilizer since new potting mix contains nutrients. Flushing the soil monthly prevents buildup of salts from fertilizer.
Proper Pruning for a Compact Shape
Trim your jade plant as needed to control its shape and size. Prune off any dead or damaged branches using clean, sharp pruning shears. Also pinch back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth.
Limit pruning to fall and winter when plants are dormant. Remove spent flowers after blooming finishes to maintain the plant’s energy. Any pruned branches will re-sprout if planted in fresh potting mix.
Troubleshooting Common Container Plant Problems
Leggy growth – Increase sunlight exposure or supplement with a grow light
Dropped leaves – Reduce watering frequency and ensure pot drains fully
Brown leaf tips – Allow soil to dry out further between waterings
White crusty deposits on soil – Flush soil monthly to remove accumulated fertilizer salts
Insects like mealybugs – Isolate plant and remove pests with alcohol-soaked cotton swab
Tips for a Thriving Baby Jade Container Plant
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Mix generous drainage material into potting soil
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Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings
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Give 6+ hours of direct sunlight or supplement with grow lights
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Repot annually in fresh soil to replenish nutrients
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Dust leaves periodically with soft cloth to increase light exposure
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Propagate new plants from cuttings to expand your collection!
With the proper care techniques, a baby jade plant in a pot will flourish on a windowsill or patio. Follow this guide for choosing the right container and soil, watering correctly, providing ample sunlight, fertilizing, and pruning. Address issues promptly and you’ll enjoy a hardy jade plant that adds beauty and vitality to your indoor space.
Loss of Leaves
If your jade plant is losing leaves at a frequent rate, it might be a sign that its not getting enough light. Move the plant somewhere where it gets bright, indirect light for at least six hours a day, and observe whether the problem improves. If most of the leaves falling are old leaves, or the dropping is accompanied by leggy growth, your plant might be too warm and need to be located somewhere with a slightly cooler (but not cold) temperature.
Water
The watering needs of a jade plant vary throughout the year. The jade plant grows actively during the spring and summer months and is usually dormant in the winter months. It’s important to pay attention to the needs of the plant since overwatering is one of the quickest ways to kill a succulent. In its native desert climate, this type of plant is used to receiving deep watering followed by a period of drought. So overwatering the succulent introduces more water into the root environment than the plant can handle, creating conditions ripe for root rot.
Water the plant more frequently in the summer because of the increased plant activity and the warmer temperatures. Aim to keep the soil slightly moist but it should not stay wet or saturated. If it does hold water, the soil drainage may not be sufficient. Water again when the soil begins to dry; it’s not necessary to let the soil become bone dry, but you should err on the side of caution when deciding whether or not it’s time to water. Reduce your watering to once monthly in the winter, when the plant enters dormancy.
You can water the jade plant from underneath by letting the plant sit in a saucer of water. However, you should pour off any excess water after a few minutes. Never let a jade plant sit in water.
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FAQ
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