As the plant most known for symbolizing prosperity and good luck, Jade, otherwise known as crassula ovata, has become one of the most loved succulents. With thick, oblong leaves that are meant to represent the joys that come with great friendship, Jade has been planted outside as well as kept inside for decoration.
If you are a Jade fan who has collected a Jade plant or two of your own but have started to notice that your typically green and red plant’s leaves are turning yellow, there are a few causes to become aware of.
Continue reading below to learn about why your Jade plant leaves are turning yellow and what you can do to help your Jade plant return to good health.
Underwatering Your Jade Plant
One of the main reasons your Jade plant might be withering with leaves turning yellow is due to under-watering. While they are desert plants that generally do not a lot of water, they still need some moisture for their roots to survive.
To properly water your healthy Jade plant, make sure to let it dry out in between each watering. Watering only once every few weeks or once per month can be enough if you live in a generally cool and wet climate. Otherwise, if residing in a dry and hot place, you can get away with watering your Jade plant once every other week.
For Jade plants that are already too dry and getting yellow leaves, go ahead and pluck off the shriveled, brown, and dead ones. Then, carefully remove the sickest yellow leaves without plucking too many off.
After, give the roots a good soak by watering until you can see active water draining through the hole of the pot. Repeat this watering process once per week or every other week until your Jade’s leaves appear more green than yellow again.
Overwatering Your Jade Plant
While underwatering is a common problem for many plant owners, the next most probable reason that your Jade’s leaves are turning yellow may be due to overwatering. If you are watering your Jade plant before the soil has completely dried out, you are effectively drowning your plant.
Too much water can overwhelm the Jade’s system and cause the leaves to yellow and drop. It can also cause root rot, stunting the Jade’s growth and killing the plant from the bottom up.
To remedy this problem, simply stop watering the Jade plant until its leaves begin to turn green again and its soil has become completely bone dry.
Using Improper Soil or Fertilizer
When first planting your Jade, it is imperative that it is potted or dug into soil with the right pH levels. If the soil is the wrong type of acidity, your Jade may not be able to absorb the water or nutrients it needs to stay healthy and green.
Jade plants, whether planted indoors or outside, prefer slightly acidic, well-draining soil with a 6.0 pH level. If the soil is too alkaline, the Jade plant’s roots will begin to retract and shrivel. Yellow leaves can be a symptom of that reaction to bad soil.
If you aren’t sure what exact soil to use, contact your local nursery and ask a professional. For those planting Jade in the soil of their property, consider doing a soil sample test to learn more about how habitable your soil is for desert plants.
Not Enough Light
If your Jade plants are turning yellow, your plant may not be receiving enough light. Jade plants require a lot of sunlight and thrive in the direct heat of the sun.
If you are keeping a potted Jade indoors and it does not receive direct sunlight, consider moving it to a very bright place or turning your plant every other day so that all of its leaves can receive the right amount of sun.
Excessively Cold Weather
When Jade plants are exposed to the cold, they tend to retreat. Part of this retreating process is when their green and supple leaves turn rough and yellow. Jade plants, being plants of the desert, are meant to live in temperatures that are around 70 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit. If the weather dips below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, they are often in trouble.
Any weather that threatens frost or freezing temperatures will likely turn Jade leaves yellow or end up killing them. The best course of action is to add heat lamps to a room where your Jade plant is or to winterize your outdoor Jade in cooler weather.
Keeping Your Jade Plant Happy and Healthy
When you practice giving your Jade plant proper hydration, healthy and slightly acidic soil, ample sunlight, and a warm place to live, it will grow large, green with red leaf tips, and thrive. If your Jade leaves are turning yellow, evaluate all of the situations above and adjust accordingly. Your Jade plant will thank you.
