Jade Plant Care

Let the plant dry before watering. Jade plants are succulents, which means that although they need water, they don't need much. If you touch the soil and it seems wet, the plant doesn't need water. On the other hand, if you notice that the leaves are starting to wilt, then you know the plant is not getting enough water.

Stick your finger up to the first joint into the soil. If it is dry, then it can be watered. If it's still wet, then it doesn't need more water.

During the winter months, your plant will likely need even less water than usual, so be sure to always check the soil.

Many people recommend watering succulents by soaking the entire pot in a tub of water, which allows the plant to absorb water from the bottom. However, you can also water the plant by pouring water into the pot through the top. The most important thing is that you allow excess water to drain completely from the pot.

Do not leave the jade plant to sit in the water. If you notice excess water, be sure to pour it out of the saucer.

Try not to wet the leaves when watering.

Place the plant in a sunny location. Jade does need a lot of sunlight, but that doesn't mean it needs to be in full sun all day long. Avoid placing your jade plant in a south-facing window, as it will likely burn. Instead, look for a location where your plant will receive 3 to 5 hours of sunlight each day.

Move your plant in stages. For example, if you've kept your jade in a dark, dark corner but want to move it to a bright window sill, don't just pick up the plant and slap it on the windowsill. Such an extreme change will likely cause the jade leaves to burn and fall off. Instead, move the plant gradually so that it has time to adjust. For example, move the plant from a dark corner to a place where it can get an hour of indirect sunlight. Leave it there for at least a few days before moving it to an area with a little more sunlight. Keep doing this until your plant is in the right place.

Keep the plant clean. If any leaves have fallen from the tree into the pot, remove them. You can also prune your plant to keep it healthy. If you want to prune your jade, you can remove just about anything you want, but avoid fiddling with the main stem too much or you could kill the plant.

Pruning (pinching off) new growth will help the plant stay more bushy and less spindle-shaped.

Keep the plant at the right temperature. Jade plants are very hardy and easy to keep alive, so you don't have to worry too much about whether the temperature is right. Store them at room temperature. This means that you should not place them in a south-facing window where they will receive direct sunlight for most of the day.

In winter, they prefer slightly cooler temperatures (for example, around 55 degrees Fahrenheit or 13 degrees Celsius).