Question
Hi.  I just bought two Jade plants from a greenhouse which are in the typical black plastic containers.  One plant is 12" wide by 14" tall and the other is 21" wide by 20" tall.  I want to put them in more decorative pots obviously and I know that clay pots would be best so that the plants breathe.  How important is that?  I found several glazed clay pots that I like, but obviously the glazing eliminates (I assume) the breathing for the soil.  Thanks so much, David

Answer
Hi David,

It is never a good idea to repot a newly acquired plant until it has acclimated for at least three months. In addition, large Jades never need repotting. It is not well understood that repotting stresses plants and it is not as simple as getting a larger pot and adding soil. It is best avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Your desire to eliminate the unattractive nursery pots makes sense. Here is what professionals do. Find a decorative planter that you like - ceramic or otherwise - and make sure it is large enough for you to insert the nursery pot directly into it. Put a little Spanish moss or green moss over the top to hide the double-potting.

Double potting has the benefits of not disturbing the plant's roots while also hiding the nursery pot. You don't even have to get your hands dirty!

When you water, just make sure that water does not accumulate inside the bottom of the outer pot. If it does, pour it out.

A clay pot is important only for those who are inclined to over water, but even that may not help. Regardless of the pot material, allow the top third of the soil to dry in between waterings. It may take a day or two longer in a plastic pot. That's the only difference.

Much more important is providing lots of sunlight for your Jades. It is the light that will control their growth rate and allow the soil to dry more quickly between waterings.

I have written articles on repotting and on Jade Plant care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who emails a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com