Jade plant help

6 years ago

I inherited a jade plant about 2 years ago. It’s been doing well. I water it weekly, it’s in an east facing window with plenty of sun. Fertilize 2x a year and it was reported last year with good cactus soil. Old leaves drop from time to time but lately a lot of the lower leaves have been shriveling and dropping. However there is also a lot of new growth happening (which is great bc I inherited a very leggy plant). Is this normal and it’s going through a cycle? Any help appreciated.

Featured Answer

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a

6 years ago

Hu-xxx83

Thank you for posting photos of your plant.

I believe I was right about sunlight: what your plant is receiving maybe good sunlight, but perhaps for too short of time? Succulents need minimum 5 hrs of sunlight, 8-12 would be better. East exposure usually doesn't last for that long. If window has any protection in a glass, that cuts down intensity even more. If you can't supply longer exposure to sun, maybe you can consider a light? The reason I am saying that is because sets of leaves are growing far apart, plant should be much more compact. Also, fair amount of leaves are also hanging down. That is because they are trying to get as big area as possible to catch the sunrays. Have a look at the thread Embothrium linked to, I posted a photo of a jade plant/leaves. That plant spent summer outside, in full sun for most of a day (e, s and w exposure).

Your plant looks nice, but consider some pruning of longest branches to give it better shape. Any cuttings you take are easy to root should you want more jade plants.

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Comments (6)

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years ago
There shouldn't be many leaves dropping at the same time. It is normal for old leaves to drop off, but usually one or 2 at the time. Something is not quite right: maybe potting soil retains too much water? Maybe there is lots of peat in it that became hydrophobic? Plant is not dying and you have new growth, but need to correct whatever it is.

I disagree with enough light just looking at the 3rd photo. That small branch is etiolated. If that is kind of growth you are getting, it needs more light. In 2 years, plant should have grown much more compact. Pls. post photos showing all of the plant, since there is not much to see...
Embothrium
6 years ago
Related thread:

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/6008999/another-jade-plant-question#n=7
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HU-786185283
Original Author
6 years ago
Here are pics of the whole plant
HU-786185283
Original Author
6 years ago
thanks! I’m going to look into a grow light. And I’ll definitely put it outside next summer!
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
6 years ago
They really like outdoors. If you have access to outside, andy succulents will benefit. Just make sure you acclimatize plants to better sunlight. Jades can be taken out as soon as temps stay at in 5-7*C, or, to be really sure and comfortable, around 10*C (50*F). I still have quite a few outdoors even now.