Jade plants, or Crassula ovata, are one of the most popular houseplants in the world. Their thick glossy leaves and numerous stems make them look like a miniature tree. As the weather heats up, you might notice that your jade plant is looking a little droopy and sad.
Are you wondering if your plant needs more water? Are you unsure of how much water it needs? Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about watering jade plants! If you’re new to caring for jade plants and have questions about watering your plant, this article will help you learn all about it!
How Often Should You Water Your Jade Plant?
Watering frequency depends on the size of your jade plant, the type of pot it’s in, and your climate. In general, you should water when the top 1/2 inch (1 cm) of soil is dry.
As a general rule, jade plants should be watered thoroughly but infrequently. You should wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is a common problem with jade plants.
The frequency of watering your jade plant may vary depending on several factors, such as the size of the pot, the soil type, the temperature, humidity, and the amount of sunlight the plant receives. As a general guideline, jade plants can be watered once every two to three weeks when the plant is going through the growing phase, which is typically from spring to fall.
To ensure that your jade plant is getting the right amount of water, it’s a good idea to check the soil moisture level regularly. If the soil feels dry after you stick your finger in it to check, it’s time to water your jade plant. If the soil still feels moist, wait a few more days before checking again.
If you’re unsure whether or not to water your jade plant, check its leaves. If they’re wilted or curling up, it needs more moisture. If they look healthy and plump but feel slightly crisp when pressed between two fingers (like an apple), then keep watering as normal until things start looking better!
What is the Best Way to Water My Jade Plant?
Jade plants are drought-tolerant and can survive for several weeks without water. However, if you want to keep your plant healthy and looking its best, it’s important to water it properly.
Jade plants should be watered in a bowl or saucer until the water runs out through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Do not let them sit in standing water after they have been watered because this will cause root rot (a fungal infection). Watering too little will result in wilting leaves, while watering too much may lead to root rot or stem rot.
Stems Turning Black and Leaves with Brown Spots
If your jade plant’s stems are turning black and soft, it may be a sign of overwatering. Overwatering can cause root rot, which can lead to the death of your plant.
To avoid this problem, make sure you are watering your jade plant correctly: add water directly into the soil (not on top of the leaves) and never over-fill its pot so that excess moisture doesn’t sit around in the drainage holes for long periods of time.
Also, if your jade plant is showing signs of a fungal infection, remove all affected leaves. This will help prevent further spread of the disease and allow your plant to recover quickly.
If you don’t have a fungicide on hand, you can use alcohol or vinegar as an alternative treatment for brown spots on jade plants.
Regular Maintenance Tips for Your Jade Plant
To start with, make sure your jade plant is in a sunny spot. Water your jade plant regularly, but don’t over-water it! The soil should be moist to the touch but not soggy or wet. If you’re having trouble determining whether or not this is the case, check the pot’s drainage holes: if they have water sitting in them, then it’s time for some more watering!
If you notice that your plant has become too dry (the leaves will start turning yellow), simply soak its soil until it begins to drain again–no need for any fancy equipment here!
Prune away dead leaves and stems as needed; this helps keep pests away from your jade plant by removing their hiding places within its foliage as well as preventing rot from developing under those old bits of foliage still attached to live branches near their base.
You can also prune away any new growths if needed so long as there are no flowers yet on those branches–this will help keep things neat while allowing new buds room enough to grow into maturity.
Jade Plants Live a Long Time
Jade plants are very forgiving and can tolerate a lot of abuse. They’re slow-growing, so they don’t need much care. If you take good care of it, your jade plant could live for decades!
Jade plants are native to South Africa and are sometimes called “money plants” because they were thought to bring good luck when they were placed in homes or businesses by Chinese immigrants who came to America during the 19th century.
Conclusion
Now that you know what to do, it’s time to get busy! Remember that jade plants are very easy to care for. They don’t need much water, so if you follow these tips and keep them from getting too dry or too wet, your plant should be healthy for years to come.