If you are searching for why jade plant losing leaves or falling off suddenly and before I move to a solution let me tell you this plant is attractive and some people believe it as a lucky plant. It looks like a mini version of a tree best for home decor. It has oval-egg shaped leaves and it grows slow but with good care it can live for years. Lets now find out why is my jade plant dropping leaves?
Jade Plant Leaves Falling off – Most common reason for jade plant leaves falling off, dropping due to too much watering, making it wet most of time. When jade plant lives in consistent damp soil it started dropping leaves. To fix the problem your jade plant need to be watered only when it feels dry otherwise same problem of fallen leaves may occur.
There are many other reason why it happens it the first place. Jade plant dropping leaves due to Overwatering is one of the common mistakes people do. Below the the 9 Biggest Reasons with solution to fix this problem.
- Jade Too Wet
- Not Enough Sunlight
- Underwatering
- Seasonal Dropping of Old leaves
- Poor Soil Quality
- Poor Drainage
- Temperature
- Pest Issue
- Too Much fertilizer
Why Jade Plant Leaves Falling off (With Solution)
1 . Jade Too Wet
If you keep your plants in damp soil then it jade plant leaves falling off soon heavily on its own. What happens is overwatered soil can make root rot and too wet soil can invite pests infestation also. Most bugs like moist environments which make them survive on the soil for days, they eat plant sap that leads to loss of color then dropping of leaves.
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Overwatered Jade plants may continue to shred leaves if not resolved. Too wet soil is not for the indoor plant and it makes them depressed and unhappy. These plants are suitable for dry climates and if by mistake you have overwatered it make sure to not water the next day as this will cause more problems.
Making the plant too wet and if it stays in soil for 1-2 hours then it will cause rotting which results in damage to the leaves as a sign of overwatering.
Best Method to Avoid Overwatering is to check the top layer of the jade plant(Crassula ovata) and use your finger to touch the soil about 1-2 inch if it’s wet then give this plant water next day.
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2 . Not Enough Sunlight
Jade plants(Crassula ovata) like both light conditions whether its shade or direct sunlight , but if you are growing them indoors then I would suggest to place them near the south facing window or move their location to an area which has indirect sunlight most of the time.
I am saying this because Many people who didn’t live in the northern hemisphere can say they don’t have the south facing windows which get the most direct sun in more hours which is best for indoor plants.
But still if you don’t have direct sun you can still grow jade plants in indirect sun or use an artificial light source such as GROW LIGHT(for indoor plants) which is best to give jade daily sufficient light to grow them.
In winters you might see jade plant losing leaves a lot, it’s because they don’t get enough sunlight to prepare food which aging affects the pigmentation of jade leaves. Use a wooden stool chair and put your plant on the top of it, place this stool near the window so it will thrive on its own don’t worry.
Winters can damage not only jade but many other succulents and people mistake was to pour too much water on a regular basis.
Best to use an artificial light to fulfill the requirement of the plant.
Buy Grow Lights for Indoor plants
3 . Underwatered Jade plant
Underwatered Jade plants can cause falling off multiple leaves if the stem & root didn’t get the sufficient required water. What happens is roots won’t get water. It will not supply to other parts. Eventually other parts like leaves at first will lose their grip and fall with that stem will start to dry.
For Succulents like Jade plants it’s very important to make sure only water when it is needed means soil must be dry and check the soil for 1-2 inch from the top so you know it’s dry then water it or if wet then don’t water. This way you can protect this plant easily and this care is most important , most problems come with watering and sunlight issues.
Also Checking Drainage holes in jade pots can be useful as we also want water to drain out and provide sufficient water on the soil level not make it soggy.
4 . Seasonal Dropping of Old leaves
So if your jade plant losing leaves and not in bulk, you can check if the branches have healthy leaves, not all leaves are dropping then don’t worry it can be because of seasonal change, environment change. Jade drops some leaves with time and replaces it with new leaves every year. It is just the way it is, some people prune it before that and some don’t do any trim so they might see falling leaves.
5 . Bad Potting Soil
Jade plants(Crassula ovata) need fertilizer for its leaves growth but in some soil it is very less in quantity. If your Crassula ovata has foliage with low pigmentation or coloration then it could be result of lack of nutrients in your jade soil. It can be a reason for jade to have miserable and heartrending growth.
This bad potting mix is the reason for many types of problems including yellow, browning of foliage in some cases, your plant may not survive if it doesn’t have proper nutrients. To solve this issue you can simply put balanced fertilizer or plant food and read instructions on the package on how to use and when to use. Mostly fertilizer is used in the growing season.
Liquid based plant food can be poured for attractive and vibrant colors in jade plants. Also Remember not to overdo the usage of fertilizer in jade and you can apply it every 2-3 months.
Also Make sure to input the correct ratio in which fertilizer & water is mixed and make a solution which can be applied. Most fertilizer comes with a ratio and how much water you need is written on its packaging.
Read More – Jade Plant Toxic to Cats? – Prevention and Solution
6 . Poor Drainage
Poor drainage can have 2 meaning either your soil is making it hard to drain the water or the pot itself is not draining because holes are blocked and actually drains water out. These holes are sometimes partially blocked by the sand, This sand becomes hard over time when it’s too old.
The bad soil is a reason for roots to stay in damp soil for hours and days, this creates too much watery surface for roots after that roots can be seen with brown or black spots. If this root system of jade plant gets overwatered then it will overflow water in its one of the leaves or stem and if the owner didn’t see this one problem then it will start making other stems soggy, you may see jade plant losing leaves more and more until this problem is not resolved.
To fix these issues just change the potting mix to a fresh one and also change pot if it’s too spoiled. Repot the plant in a new pot and soil , pour water and wait for some days (as it will take time to effect) once the problem is resolved you will see new leaves popping on the stem.
7. Temperature
Indoor plants like Jade plants don’t like inconstant climate change or fluctuation of temperature more often, it directly impacts the overall production of the leaves and can damage foliage growing freshly.
The jade plant leaves falling off when they don’t get ideal temperature for thriving and you may see other problems like leaf wrinkled, yellowing or browning .
Many people who grow this plant outside have all possible climatic change but that is still ideal to them in most cases.
Generally speaking, jade plants dislike very high or very low temperatures that can be a reason for plant losing leaves often. In high temperature your plant loses water and that will make the leaves wrinkled, curl upward or downward, eventually lose its color then fall off.
In Low or freezing cold temperatures plants will not grow much and may get other problems like root rot because of overwatering.
The ideal temperature for jade plants is 54 to 74°F(13 to 23 °C) but in both temperatures whether its cold or hot jade can be affected by it. So providing an ideal temp will not be possible but the good thing is jade can handle this and can grow , Yes there is a short leaf drop but it revives on its own.
Only protection this plant needs is when there is sudden rainfall which results in a cold temperature that makes the jade plant fall off some leaves. To solve this just put them inside if they were growing outdoors.
Good thing in many cases these loose leaves are temporary and it will grow back every year and adopt environmental change. You can change the location to protect them, provide them sufficient warmer room for a day or 2 to make sure they don’t get affected with the froze.
If your plant fits in a new location then let it stay there for weeks, the best growing place is what plants adapt automatically when temperature changes often.
below 40 degree F , Jade won’t tolerate this and start losing leaves so provide them more than 50 degree F which is in room or indoors.
Also Read : 7 Amazing Benefits of Jade Plant, Uses(Myths and Value)
8 . Pest Issue
Jade plants are irritated by pests and these little bugs can lower the growth of these succulents. If your plant is ever attacked by these ugly bugs then you may need to apply a liquid based solution to counter its growth.
Most probably your jade may see a infestation of mealybugs and you can easily remove them by picking them up or taking them out by hand. They have white spots and are wandering near the stem or leaves section. If you want to clean and remove them then use rubbing alcohol which is also used to sanitize or disinfect our hands from coronavirus.
Step you can follow is just wipe all the leaves and stem with the rubbing alcohol cloth, and if they are detectable then take out mealybugs one by one.
For heavy infestation of mealy you need insecticide or pesticide to prevent plant green loss. I have used Bonide Insect control to kill all the mealybugs from my jade plant.
Scale are another insect that attack jade , but no worries I have suggest the insecticide that will remove all these kind of pests.
9 . Too Much fertilizer
Many people use fertilizer in the wrong way and that makes the jade plant leaves falling off often. To solve this you just need to follow instruction and do you know there is little bit plant food(fertilizer) needed for jade as this is a succulent and most succulent thrives on its own. But to get more vibrant and bright leaves you can use any balanced liquid based fertilizer for your jade plant.
Here I am using EarthPods Premium Organic fertilizer in my jade plants.
How to Revive a Jade Plant
How do I save my dying jade plant? To revive a jade plant, first determine the signs leaves give you when dying. Once you find leaves that are dropping before that drying up or having any pest infestation. You can solve this problem just by applying any of the methods like checking water, soil, using low amounts of fertilizer, using pest control for mealybugs, if overwatering reduces water, and if under watered plants then pour more water.
By following my tips on jade plants you can successfully resolve the issues and basically sometimes this happens with season change or climate change so don’t worry it will automatically recover if that is the problem or placing jade plants in a good location can reduce the impact of loss.
Jade plant dropping leaves in winter
If you notice your Jade Plant losing leaves in the winter, it’s probably not getting enough light. Jade plants require intense light or they’ll stress and shed leaves. Just relocate your plant closer to a window, but keep it a few inches away from the glass to minimize winter draft damage.
Overwatering, poor soil, pests, and temperature changes all cause jade plants to lose leaves. If your Jade Plant loses leaves for these causes, alter your care regimen.
Put your Jade Plant in well-draining soil and only water it when the soil is dry to avoid overwatering. Nevertheless, underwatering might produce leaf drop, so water thoroughly and consistently throughout the growth season.
Repotting your Jade Plant into fresh, well-draining soil may improve soil quality.
Mealybugs and spider mites may induce Jade Plant leaf drop. If your plant shows indications of infection, use a pesticide.
Temperature variations might stress your Jade Plant, causing leaf loss. Maintain a constant temperature for your plant.
Jade plant dropping leaves and branches
Underwatering jade plants causes leaves and branch to drop. If the plant’s stem and roots don’t receive enough water, other components won’t. Leaves will fall with that branch and dry out.
Overwatering, inadequate light, poor drainage, fertilizer shock, and unexpected temperature fluctuations may all cause jade plant leaf and branch loss. Overwatering causes root rot, which kills the plant, while inadequate light causes pale leaves and leaf drop. Inadequate drainage may cause root rot, while fertilizer shock occurs when too much fertilizer is sprayed too often, causing leaf loss.
Keep your jade plant well-watered, lit, and fed to avoid leaf and branch loss. Avoid overwatering and only water when the soil is dry. Put your jade plant in bright, indirect sunlight for several hours. To avoid root waterlogging, use well-draining soil and a container with drainage holes.
You can resuscitate a jade plant that has lost leaves and branches. Remove damaged leaves and branches first. Check for root rot and trim damaged roots. Repot the plant in new, well-draining soil and water only when dry. Jade plants may recover with time and care.
Will jade plant leaves grow back
Jade plants lose some lower leaves naturally as part of the aging process. The plant naturally sheds these leaves, which won’t come back. But, leaves that fell off due to overwatering, underwatering, pests, or illnesses may come back. It depends on the level of leaf and plant damage.
Address the root cause of leaf loss to promote new leaf development. To avoid root rot, limit watering and make sure the soil is well-drained if your jade plant is loosing leaves from overwatering. If the leaves are coming off due to underwatering, water the plant more regularly and keep the soil damp but not soaked.
Jade plants may be smashed or pushed over. You may propagate the plant via cuttings or leaves. A branch or leaf often breaks off and roots in the soil, making jade plants simple to spread.
The source of leaf drop determines whether your jade plant’s leaves will come back. Aging leaves won’t grow back. If you fix the cause, the leaves will grow again. Your jade plant should recover and grow new leaves with care.
Jade plant leaves falling off after repotting
Even the most experienced plant owners can have issues with their Jade plant dropping leaves, especially after repotting. Poor drainage is one of the main reasons Jade plants lose leaves.
When repotted, Jade plants need well-draining soil and pots with enough drainage holes. Root rot may result from poorly drained soil. The plant may lose leaves as it strains to collect nutrients and water from the soil.
Underwatering, overwatering, inadequate light, temperature variations, pests, and diseases may all cause Jade plants to lose leaves. To avoid plant harm, leaf drop must be diagnosed and treated.
After repotting, your Jade plant may shed leaves. Check soil moisture and alter watering schedule. Jade plants may get root rot if overwatered. Second, check the pot for drainage holes. Lastly, keep your Jade plant well-lit and away from excessive temperatures.
Jade plants lose leaves due to insufficient drainage. Repotting your plant requires well-draining soil and pots with enough drainage holes. Your Jade plant should recover and flourish if you address leaf drop and provide adequate care.
Why is my jade plant leaves drying up
Your jade plant’s leaves may be withered, dry, and falling off for many causes. Under-watering causes drought stress. When roots don’t get moisture, leaves dry up and fall off. The plant’s leaves may dry out if it’s near heating vents or heated.
Water a drought-stressed jade plant thoroughly and let the soil dry out between waterings. Move the plant to a cooler spot away from direct heat. Save a drought-stressed jade plant.
If overwatering is drying out and dropping leaves, the treatment is different. Too much moisture around the roots might cause the plant to turn yellow and droop. Rotting roots may kill a plant. Reduce watering and ensure well-draining soil to solve this. If the roots have rotted, repot the plant in new soil and cut any damaged roots.
Insufficient light, pests, illnesses, and potting mix concerns may all cause jade plant leaves to dry out. To rescue your jade plant, solve these concerns immediately. Jade plants may develop thick, robust leaves with appropriate care.
Jade plant losing leaves in summer
In summer, your jade plant may lose leaves due to overwatering. Jade plants retain water in their leaves and stems, making them prone to root rot in damp soil. Hence, only water jade plants when the soil is dry. Water carefully and thoroughly via the pot’s drainage hole to prevent overwatering. After watering, empty the saucer.
Jade plant leaves may fall off from underwatering. If it’s thirsty, the plant may shed its bottom leaves. When the soil is dry, water your jade plant.
Jade plants lose leaves due to light stress. Jade plants require strong, indirect sunshine or they’ll lose leaves. Move your jade plant closer to a bright, indirect window if light stress is causing leaf loss.
Lastly, temperature changes may make jade plants lose leaves. Jade plants hate chilly breezes and rooms too cold. Move your jade plant to a warmer spot if temperature swings are causing leaf loss.
If your jade plant loses leaves in summer, examine its hydration, light, and temperature. You can avoid leaf loss and keep your jade plant healthy by fixing these concerns.
Wrap up
I hope you get the answer on “Jade Plant Leaves Falling off” and if you want to read articles check below.
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