Brandon

JMO, but I do not believe in underpotting on purpose...that said, I have many underpotted plants, but the reason is rather that I didn't get around repotting them. And, perhaps, because of lack space under the lights - smaller pots take less. They all seem to be ok, but I wonder how would they look if repotted - I suspect, better.

I have Portulacaria afra (it's not crassula as jades are) and I have experienced leaf drop as you describe. It was because my plant was thirsty. As soon as I watered it little more often, it started to grow many new leaves and it looked much better. That was the reason in my case. In 2 mo, your plant should have recovered. What are temps like where you keep the plant? How often do you water it?

Being underpotted is one thing but having most of its roots removed to do this is quite another. That would subject the plant to severe stress and force it to regrow its roots. Hence the leaf drop and restart of growth. Succulents are tough and can regenerate but that doesn't mean that they really appreciate having their roots tampered with

It took me a minute, but just so you know: it's 'faux pas', if you're meaning misstep or mistake.

PA is my favorite plant ever. I have struggled to get really good with it over the last 5 years or so.

As Brandon mentions above, often with this plant, its under watering that causes leaf drop. I have to water this plant more than almost any other house plant. I do have it in terracotta. Which does make this worse for me. In the spring, i am going to pot it into a glazed pot.

I have also noticed that not enough light, or cold conditions can cause leaf drop. I have to relocate the plant during the winter to the warmest sunniest spot i can find.


Just know that it can recover from almost nothing. At one point my plant had nothing but 10 leaves I think. It's very resilient so long as it's not rotten, it can recover.

Hi Starlight,

Pretty impressive plant you've got there! Wish I'd seen your advice earlier as I've failed w/ this plant repeatedly & as a lover of variegates, I especially like the variegated P afra, so handsome! But I'd given up on it after losing one yet again last Fall.