Jade Plants, scientifically known as Crassula ovata, are fast becoming one of the world’s most popular beginner-friendly houseplants. These beauties are ideal first succulents for those new to this plant type, or to plants in general.
Requiring little maintenance and looking good year-round, there are many reasons to love Jade Plants. Unfortunately, that does not mean they are completely problem-free.
Mistakes in care, such as incorrect watering, or factors largely out of your control, like pest or disease infestations, can cause a number of common problems in Jade Plants. Identify the cause, resolve it and your Jade will be back to its structural self in no time.[toc]
Healthy leaves should be plump, green and glossy. If the edges are beginning to look shriveled or wrinkled, that is a sign of moisture stress in the plant.
The main cause of this problem is typically underwatering. The leaves have less water stored when the soil is excessively dry, causing the skin to wrinkle from the edges inwards. If the wrinkles are accompanied by yellowing on the edges, overwatering is probably the cause.
While Jade Plants don’t need watering very often, they can’t go for long periods with no water at all, especially when placed in a sunny spot. Water when you notice the soil dry out almost entirely to stop the leaves from wrinkling completely. If you do forget, the leaves should fill out again anyway when you water again.
Jade Plant leaves can also hold onto too much water, becoming soft and mushy. These mushy leaves often fall off the plant and attract pests and diseases, requiring immediate attention.
Mushy leaves that give way when squeezed between your fingers are a sign of overwatering or poor drainage. Make sure the pot has enough drainage holes and that the soil is loose and sandy to stop the roots from sitting in water. Never water when the top half of the soil is still moist to the touch to avoid mushy leaves.
To deal with the problem, start by holding off on watering for a while. If the problem is not resolved, trim any rotten roots and replant into brand new soil to allow the plant to recover.
As is the case with other houseplants, the primary cause of yellowing leaves in Jade Plants is overwatering. These plants are slightly different from the common tropical plants in our homes as they are succulents, making them incredibly sensitive to overwatering and root rot.
Lifting up the pot to test its weight can help you determine how much water remains in the soil. If the pot is heavier than usual but the topsoil layer is dry, there is still moisture lower down, indicating you can hold off on watering for a while.
Nutrient problems can also cause the leaves to turn yellow. Nutrient deficiency is a potential cause, but as these plants prefer low-quality soils, overfertilizing is far more likely. Always follow the instructions on your fertilizer packaging and apply at half strength if needed to be on the safe side.
Black leaves are generally more alarming than yellowing leaves and require immediate attention to save the plant. As long as you act quickly the plant is usually saveable.
Like many problems on this list, the cause is usually excessive moisture and root rot. If you overwater or the soil does not drain well enough, the moisture in the soil begins to rot the roots. This problem spreads up the plant, causing the stems to shrivel and the leaves to turn black.
Spotted black leaves are also signs of a pest or disease problem. Aphids, although not particularly common on Jade Plants, secrete honeydew that leads to the growth of black sooty mold on the leaves. Some diseases can also cause black spots on the leaves, but aren’t likely, especially when growing indoors.
Like yellowing leaves, there are many causes for leaves turning brown, requiring some real detective work to identify the true cause.
The first potential cause is moisture related. Excessive moisture in the soil or even in the air around your plants can cause them to turn brown and then black before dropping off the plant. Underwatering can have the same effect, causing the leaves to turn brown from lack of moisture.
Excessive sunlight can also cause parts of the leaves to turn brown. Although they can handle high light conditions, Jade Plants that are used to indoor conditions need to be slowly introduced to high light to acclimatize and avoid damage. If they are moved suddenly from low light to direct sun, the leaves exposed to the sunlight will develop brown patches.
Increase the amount of light your plant gets slowly by an hour or so per day to allow it to adjust to higher sunlight levels.
The jade plant, with its thick woody stems and oval-shaped fleshy leaves, is one of the most popular houseplants around. Its slow growth habit and undemanding nature make it an ideal choice for beginner gardeners. However, despite being relatively easy to care for, jade plants can fall victim to fungal diseases like root rot. If left untreated, root rot can kill your beloved jade plant. So it’s crucial to know what causes rot and how to prevent it.
What Causes Rot in Jade Plants?
Overwatering is the number one culprit behind root rot in jade plants. These succulents prefer their soil to dry out between waterings. When you overwater excess moisture gets trapped in the soil and rots the roots. Poor drainage can also lead to standing water. Always make sure your jade plant’s container has drainage holes.
Using heavy, moisture-retentive soil can also cause rot. Jade plants need a fast-draining cactus or succulent soil mix. Contaminated garden tools and unsterilized potting soil spreads fungi that cause rot. Low light and high humidity provide ideal conditions for fungal diseases to thrive.
Early Signs of Root Rot in Jade Plants
Catching root rot early is key to saving your jade plant, Be on the lookout for these telltale signs
- Yellow, drooping leaves
- Soft, mushy stems
- Foul odor coming from the soil
- Roots that are brown or black instead of white
The foliage will continue deteriorating if rot persists, Eventually the whole plant collapses, Don’t wait until it reaches this point to take action!
6 Tips to Prevent Root Rot in Jade Plants
Rot can be prevented by following good cultural practices:
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Water thoroughly only when the top inch of soil is dry. This may mean watering only every 2-3 weeks. Let the plant tell you when it’s thirsty.
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Ensure the pot has drainage holes so excess water can escape. Add perlite to the soil to improve drainage.
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Water less in winter when growth slows. Cut back to watering every 4-6 weeks.
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Keep humidity low and grow in bright, indirect light.
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Disinfect tools with a bleach solution to prevent spreading fungi.
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Repot annually into fresh, sterile potting mix to prevent salts and pathogens from building up.
How to Treat Root Rot in Jade Plants
If you catch it early, root rot can be stopped in its tracks. Here’s what to do:
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Unpot the plant and wash off all the soil with a gentle stream of water.
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Trim off any black, mushy roots with sterilized pruners. Removing all rotted areas is crucial.
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Repot in a clean container using fresh succulent soil amended with extra perlite or pumice.
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Hold off on watering for 1-2 weeks to allow any cuts to callous over.
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When new growth appears, resume watering when the top inch of soil is dry.
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Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 months during the growing season.
With quick action, your jade plant can make a full recovery. Be diligent about watering properly going forward to keep rot at bay. Proper care is key to preventing fungal diseases.
Helpful Tips to Grow a Healthy Jade Plant
Here are some additional tips for cultivating a thriving jade plant free of root rot:
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Prune back leggy growth to encourage bushier, compact plants. Pinch off stem tips to trigger branching.
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Rotate the plant periodically so all sides get even sun exposure. Jade plants grow toward light.
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Mist the leaves occasionally to increase humidity and clean off dust.
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Repot whenever the roots fill the container or start growing out the drainage holes.
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Fertilize with half-strength soluble fertilizer every 2-3 months during spring and summer.
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Propagate new plants from stem cuttings rooted in damp perlite or coarse sand.
Jade plants may occasionally get root rot, but this common disease is easy to treat if caught early. Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to fungal problems. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, provide bright light, use well-draining soil, and disinfect tools. Follow these simple rules, and your jade plant will continue to grow for many years filling your home with its unique beauty.
Frequency of Entities:
Overwatering: 3
Root rot: 18
Jade plant: 17
Soil: 7
Drainage: 3
Fungi/fungal: 4
Watering: 6
Brown Spots on Leaves
Small brown spots can be caused by pests or simply trauma.
Small brown spots on the leaves of this succulent are slightly different from large patches or edging in cause.
The first reason for these spots is simply trauma. The soft leaves aren’t majorly sensitive, but will take some damage in high-traffic areas of the home. If you’re not careful with your pruning shears, any areas you trim will also begin to turn brown. As long as the spots are small, they won’t cause any issues with the plant.
Sap-sucking pests can also cause small brown spots on Jade Plant leaves, sometimes with a yellow ring around them. These bugs find the juicy leaves of this plant irresistible, settling down in one spot and feeding on the leaf. As this part of the leaf dies off, it will begin to turn brown. Identify the pest and apply the relevant fix to prevent any new spots from appearing.
The leaves turn red with excessive sunlight and with minor stress.
Jade Plant leaves are generally green, although some cultivars may have tinges of other colors to them. So, it can be distressing to find the previously glossy green leaves gaining red edging.
Luckily, this is no cause for concern and is often encouraged by owners who prefer the fiery look. Their leaves turn red when exposed to higher sunlight than usual to protect the foliage. Moving them to a shadier spot will cause the red color to disappear. Slowly moving them to higher light areas will encourage this color change.
Minor stress can also cause the leaves to turn red. Lack of nutrients, lack of moisture, or sudden temperature changes can all result in a color change in the leaves. As long as conditions are not too severe, these changes won’t harm the plant as they are accustomed to them in their native habitats and have evolved to adapt well.
In essence, if you like the reddish tinge to the leaves, you can leave the plant as is. If you prefer to keep them green, give them some shade and resolve any potential stress problems.
White Spots On Leaves
White spots on the leaves are salt deposits and can be easily rubbed off.
Tiny white specks on Jade Plants leaves are quite common and can often be wiped off with your thumb.
These specks are salt deposits that get left behind when moisture evaporates from the leaves. While these aren’t harmful, it’s best to check the quality of your tap water or watch for signs of overfertilizing in case these salts build up in the soil.
To remove these white spots, simply wipe the leaves with a damp cloth and they should look good as new.
Jade Plant Problems and Pests | Save a DYING Crassula Ovata | MOODY BLOOMS
FAQ
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