The Crassula ovata, commonly known as the jade plant, is a resilient succulent that can thrive for decades with minimal attention. Despite its hardiness, a jade plant can decline quickly when its basic environmental needs are not met. This guide provides a structured approach to diagnosing the symptoms of a struggling plant and implementing the necessary steps to restore its health. By understanding the specific signs of distress and addressing the root causes, you can successfully revive your jade plant.
Identifying Signs of a Sick Jade Plant
A jade plant communicates its distress through distinct changes in its foliage and structure. Healthy leaves are typically plump, firm, and glossy green, sometimes displaying a reddish tinge on the edges when exposed to bright light. When the plant is underwatered, the leaves will begin to wrinkle and shrivel, a clear sign that the plant is drawing on its stored water reserves.
Conversely, an overwatered jade plant often exhibits leaves that are yellowing, soft, or mushy to the touch. This excessive moisture can lead to the leaves dropping off easily. Stems that become blackened or soft and rubbery are a severe indication of root rot progressing up the plant’s structure. Other signs of poor health include brown spots from sudden exposure to intense light (sunburn), or leggy, stretched-out growth (etiolation), which indicates insufficient light.
Resolving Water and Root Issues
The most frequent cause of decline in a jade plant is improper watering, which can lead to root rot, a condition where the roots are deprived of oxygen and begin to decay. To check for this, gently remove the plant from its pot and inspect the root ball. Healthy roots are white or tan and firm, while rotten roots appear black, brown, and mushy, often accompanied by a foul odor.
If root rot is present, use a sterilized cutting tool to prune away all affected, discolored root tissue. The cut should be made into the healthy, firm root material to ensure all decay is removed. After trimming, allow the plant to air-dry for several days in a shaded area so the cut surfaces can form a protective callus, preventing further fungal or bacterial entry. Repot the jade plant in a fresh, well-draining succulent or cactus soil mix, ensuring the new pot has adequate drainage holes.
For a severely underwatered plant showing shriveled leaves, the solution is a deep, thorough soaking. Water the plant until it flows freely from the drainage holes, ensuring the entire root ball is saturated. Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again, as this mimics the plant’s natural drought-tolerant environment. Establish a watering routine where the soil is allowed to dry completely between waterings to prevent recurrence of both over- and under-watering issues.
Adjusting Light and Environmental Conditions
After addressing any root issues, evaluate the plant’s light exposure, which is a common source of stress. Jade plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight, but they can tolerate a few hours of direct sun, which often encourages the desirable reddish leaf margins. If the plant exhibits etiolation—long, weak stems with widely spaced leaves—it needs to be moved to a location with significantly more light.
If the leaves show signs of brown or bleached spots, this is likely sunburn from a sudden increase in light intensity. Move the plant to a slightly shadier spot or introduce brighter light gradually over several weeks to allow the plant to acclimate. Jade plants prefer average indoor temperatures, ideally between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep them away from cold drafts from windows or air conditioning vents, as sudden temperature fluctuations can cause leaf drop.
Pests like mealybugs and scale can also cause distress, appearing as white, cottony masses or small, brown bumps on the stems and leaf joints. These pests feed on the plant’s sap, weakening it over time. A simple treatment involves dipping a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and gently wiping the pests off the plant’s surface. For a widespread infestation, apply insecticidal soap, ensuring thorough coverage of all plant surfaces.
Starting Anew: Propagation as a Revival Strategy
If the main jade plant has extensive stem rot or irreversible damage, propagation offers a method to save the plant’s genetics. This involves taking cuttings from the remaining healthy parts of the plant. Select firm, healthy leaves or stem segments that show no signs of disease or mushiness.
Use a clean, sharp tool to take the cuttings, then lay them aside in a dry, bright location away from direct sun for two to seven days. This callousing period allows the cut end to dry out and seal, which prevents rot when the cutting is introduced to soil. Once a dry scab has formed, place the stem cutting directly into a pot of well-draining succulent mix, or simply lay the leaf cutting on top of the soil. Do not water the cuttings until roots or new growth appear, which signals that the new plant is established.