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Jade Plant #787107

Asked April 17, 2022, 7:30 PM EDT

Hello, We were at the Landscape Arboretum this weekend admiring the Jade plant in the visitor center. We have one as a houseplant at home which has been looking worse every year now. We're considering re-potting it, fertilizing more frequently and trimming some branches. However, we don't want to add too many stresses at once. What would a good plan of action be to really make this plant healthy again. Photos attached for reference. Thank you for any assistance, Matt Becker

Blue Earth County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thanks for the question.

Unfortunately the pictures did not come through.  You need to convert pictures into a JPEG format and then upload them to our site.  Take a look at the instructions on the site.

Thanks.

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 17, 2022, 8:08 PM EDT

Thanks again for your question.

Rather than slow things down by picture transmission, let me attempt to answer your question in their absence. I would guess that you have had this jade plant for several years. Furthermore I would guess that some of the leaves have dropped off and, perhaps, some yellowed prior to their dropping. It may not appear as “bushy” as it once did. Perhaps the bottom stems are devoid of leaves? If any or all of these assumptions are correct, rejuvenation is certainly in order. With older jade plants, watering issues are often  involved though keeping in mind that insufficient light reduces the overall health of the plant. If the leaves on your jade plant wrinkle up prior to their dropping off, then under watering is the cause. If the leaves are yellowing, over watering is generally the cause. If the loss of leaves is occurring at the bottom of the plant, this is natural as these are the oldest leaves. If the top of your plant still looks fine, that indicates the plant is in overall good shape. Repotting the plant wouldn’t hurt. After carefully extracting the plant from its current position, allow it to air-dry until the soil on the roots is easily shaken on. Repot using fresh potting soil. Sometimes new leaves will develop on what had previously been a bare stem. After repotting, hold off on any fertilizing. Your plant will need to renew its root system and this will not be enhanced with fertilizing. Do your fertilizing only after you begin to see new growth on your plant. Trimming off some of the branches will encourage root development. Do not completely remove these branches; just trim them back a bit.

You may also want to try and grow new plants from an existing leaf.

The following will give you information on these and related points:

https://www.gardenerreport.com/how-to-revive-a-dying-jade-plant/ - :~:text=Jade plants can lose their,soil and some direct sunlight.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/jade-plant/limp-jade-plant-help.htm

https://www.gardenguides.com/94246-revive-jade-plant.html

https://smartgardenguide.com/how-to-fix-a-leggy-jade-plant/

https://www.amazevegegarden.com/how-to-save-a-dying-jade-plant/

https://www.almanac.com/plant/jade-plants

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/jade-plant/repotting-jade-plants.htm

Good Luck!!

An Ask Extension Expert Replied April 18, 2022, 10:18 AM EDT

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