I rather like the bonsai look of some jade plants. Were the pictured plant mine, I would try and figure out what is happening, as you are doing, and then, when healthy growth reappears, re-pot it as a bonsai. Several pictures at: Several picturesJade tree (Crassula ovata & arborescens) as bonsai ... pics - Jade trees for bonsai. ... especially for African style bonsai like ... or baobab style.

Just giving this a bump up. Sorry, I've no idea what you need to do now.

Hi Albert. Thankyou for your reply :) do you think it was originally a Bonsai or dwarf jade? I have been reading lots about them. It would be nice to turn it into a nice bushy bonsai.

i was thinking i should prune it back so it doesn't look so straggely though I wonder how to do this and if it would survive since it is not in good health at present. The trunk is firm and looks healthy though the leaves seem severely dehydrated. Do you have any advice around pruning it? I have read that pinching out the tips encourages the plant to grow brusher however I'm afraid as it's the healthiest part. I'm afraid that it might not survive a severe pruning back which is probably what it needs.

I'm a complete novice so the advice is appreciated! Thanks

jade is a succulent. I would just keep watering it for now. I wouldn't prune it or take leaves off until you see some healthy new growth. Thoroughly water maybe once a week for now.

whoops too late I have already taken the scissors to it! There are new leaves and buds forming so I hope it survives ok. I have it sitting on a sunny window sill and just gave it a very diluted tomato feed tonight as I read it can be of benefit. I have 15 new plantlets now too. thanks for the advice though. I was almost afraid to water it before but now i have a better idea of what it needs. I will post an update with the outcome ☺

Or that ☺ it actually looks really healthy, it must be a few years old

Keep it in a warm room with bright light- before placing in direct sun acclimate it to sunshine slowly. Make sure the pot drains well. You might want to repot it as soon as the weather is reliably warm and sunny. Be careful not to over water it. Very dry conditions as the plant seams to have just endured can desiccate the roots so that the fine roots die , which is almost as bad as water logged soils rotting the roots. So allow the soil to dry a bit before watering again. Tomato fertilizer is acidic, you might want to get a houseplant fertilizer in the near future.