Question
The Christmas Cactus and Jade plants are two of my favorite house plants and I cannot keep either of them alive every time I get them!  Please help!

Both are currently in a south window.  Both are in their original 8 inch plastic pots they came in and then those are sitting in ceramic pots that are a bit prettier.  The jade is about 2 years old - about 12 in from the dirt to top of plant and only has one main 'trunk' left - the others got mushy at the base and collapsed.  Some of the leaves are dropping and others have little wrinkles in them.  I water it about once a month.  We do not have city water.  

The Christmas Cactus was from this past Christmas and was doing great - even had little buds of flowers after the first two months.  Now it is all shriveling and wilty looking and not 'firm' anymore.  I water it about once a month as well.  

thank you!

Answer
Ingrid,

Both plants use more water than the typical succulents. Try watering them once every 10 days but never leave them sitting with water in the ceramic cache pots for days. Water them enough that all the soil in the pot gets moist and some goes into the ceramic pot. Then 2 hours after watering dump any excess water out. Mark on your calendar to water them again in 10 days.  Plenty of water but don't leave them sitting in water or their roots will rot.

If they have been left sitting in a lot of water there is a chance that it might be too late to save them. If so try again. Good luck.

Darlene