Question
My jade plant has been loosing leaves, yellowing and dropping off, the green leaves also look thin rather than plump.  It sits in the corner of a 6 x 6 room, a window on either side of it, one facing south, the other facing east.  The average temp of this room is 70F in summer, 6oF in winter.  I thought maybe it was overwatered so have reduced the water.  It has been in an 8"x8" pot for 5 or 6 years and covers an area 28" high from pot base and 28" across with some of its branches hanging below the pot now as it sits 3 feet above the floor on a pedestal stand.  I haven't fertilized it more than once a year in the 12 years I have had it.  Hope you have enough info to advise me as I would hate to lose this plant.  Thanks in advance. Judy.

Answer
Hi Judy,

Congratulations on your 12 years of success with your Jade!

I assume that you have not recently relocated your Jade or otherwise changed the amount of light it receives. If this is incorrect, please let me know.

If it is mostly older leaves that are yellowing and dropping, then your Jade probably needs to be pruned. Jade plants can support only a limiteed number of leaves at one time. When they reach the maximum after many years, then they start to drop off older leaves so that they can continue to produce new leaves at the ends of the stems. The solution is to prune approximately one-third off of the ends of the longest stems. This will stop the leaf drop and it will produce a more compact plant with more leaves in the center of the plant.

If the newest leaves are shriveling and dropping off, then that is a more serious problem with the roots. It means that the stems are not getting enough water. That could be because you are not watering frequently or thoroughly enough. Or it could mean that the roots have rotted and are no longer able to absorb water and send it to the rest of the plant. The latter is very serious, but I don't think that applies in your case.

In general, it is best to water only when the top half of the soil has dried out. Use a wooden pencil to probe the soil and reveal when the top half of soil has died. When you do water, always water thoroughly so that the entire rootball is saturated.

Fertilizer is not related to the symptoms you described. However, it would be a good idea if you were to fertilize your Jade monthly from April - October at half the recommended strength on the label.

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

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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