Common Problems with Jade Plants

Houseplants
Jade Plant Disadvantages

Jade plants are beautiful and you can grow them in your home. However, these plants often develop certain problems. Pests are one of them, but there's more. In order to make your jade plant as beautiful as it can be it's important to know how to address and treat some common problems with your jade plant.

Lack of Flowers

Many people get a bit disappointed when they realize their jade plant is not flowering. Fear not: it's not about you. This is how jade plants are. They flower very rarely. Flowering is usually a sign of plant age. Jade plants flower when they are about 5 to 8 years old. This is why many gardeners have to wait for a long time to see it bloom.

More importantly, indoor plants never bloom, so you need to be ready for this if you keep your jade plant indoors. From time to time, a young plant might bloom but it's uncommon.

What to do? There's nothing you can do about it. It doesn't mean anything is wrong about your jade plant; it's normal for it not to flower.

Loss of Leaves

You may notice that your jade plant is losing leaves or that its leaves are dropping off. Combined with underdeveloped leaves and leggy growth, this may be a sign of inadequate lighting. Move your jade plant to a place with better lighting. If necessary, supply it with artificial light. You need to meet the plant's requirements for lighting so it can thrive.

Yellowing In Mass

What if leaves are yellowing in mass? This can happen often with overwatering. If you notice some rotting, it's a clear sign you should reduce watering levels. In case the plant continues to decline even after you have cut the watering, check its root system. In case roots are healthy and white, repot the plant in fresh soil. However, if roots are rotted, the only thing you can do is to start a new plant by propagation from leaves. Pick a strong, healthy leaf to propagate your new jade plant.

Dropping Older Leaves

If your jade plant drops older leaves it might be a sign of too much heat, especially if you notice some other warning sounds such as soft, leggy growth. To help your plant, move it to an area with more air movement and lower temperatures. In winter, make sure not to place your jade plant near a heating source, because the heat might cause the problems described above.

Other Issues

Here are some other common symptoms and conditions jade plants can get.

A black mold coating on the leaves is a sign that there is too much humidity. You can wipe the mold away with soapy water. Don't forget to move the plant in an area with more light and less humidity.

If the top of the soil develops a white or gray covering it's also mold. This one results either from over-watering or too much fertilizer. Remove the mold from the surface and adjust watering and fertilizing to reach the plant's optimal levels.

Generally speaking, jade plants are not prone to pests. The only relatively common pest is mealy bug, but it can be controlled with a wide range of products and methods.

Photo credit: only_point_five

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