What are the ten taboos of caring for a jade plant?
The editor introduces you to the ten taboos of caring for a jade plant, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of doing so. Let's take a look together below.
Jade plants are a very common type of potted green plant. They belong to the Crassulaceae family and are a type of succulent plant. Their leaves and stems are very robust, making them highly drought-resistant and easy to care for. The propagation of jade plants is extremely simple; just plant a branch, and it can survive, and even if a leaf falls on the soil, it can grow into several plants, making it a very common small potted green plant.
However, with careful care, a jade plant can also surprise by growing into a majestic, wind-resistant, large tree. It has a beautiful and elegant shape, which can be passed down as a family treasure. In some rural areas, it is also called the "money tree" and is considered a very auspicious plant, especially when it blooms, symbolizing good luck. But not many people can grow it into a large tree because many beginners struggle to keep it alive, leading to soft leaves, leaf drop, stunted growth, and even root rot and death.
Jade plants are very resilient and easy to care for. If you can't keep it alive, it's because you're not following its growth habits. In caring for a jade plant, you must avoid these two fears and proper care to grow a robust, wind-resistant tree. So, what situations should be avoided when caring for a jade plant?
First, jade plants are afraid of shade.
What are the ten taboos of caring for a jade plant?
Because jade plants are very common, many people place them in living rooms and studies for enjoyment. However, jade plants are particularly afraid of shade; they are plants that love sunlight, similar to succulents. If your jade plant's leaves become smaller and start to wilt and droop, it's not green because it lacks sunlight.
If a jade plant is in a weak light environment, although it can grow normally, the internodes between its branches will stretch out, leading to a leggy state. It may not be noticeable in the short term, but over a long period, the branches will generally bend and droop after a month or two, resulting in a very loose plant shape and reduced leaf luster. If this continues, you may notice the plant dropping leaves for no apparent reason.
So, when caring for a jade plant, avoid direct sunlight in the summer, but provide ample light in other seasons, placing it near a south-facing阳台 to bask in the sun, especially in the colder winter and spring seasons. More sun exposure can make the plant grow compactly, with very glossy leaves, preventing leggy growth and making the plant shape more beautiful and the growth more rapid.
Second, jade plants are afraid of compacted soil.
Although jade plants are very resilient, their root systems are not well-developed. Their roots are mostly fine capillaries, and even for a large tree over two or three meters tall, a broken face basin can easily accommodate its roots. Therefore, when caring for a jade plant, the soil must be very loose and well-draining. Some friends use garden soil directly, which can become compacted over time, hardening the soil and restricting the plant's delicate roots, leading to stunted growth.
If using garden soil, it's best to mix half with coarse river sand or other granular soil. If using nutrient-rich soil, also mix in some granular soil, preferably large particles of river sand or coal cinder. This can increase ventilation and drainage, as well as increase the weight of the pot to prevent the plant from growing too tall and becoming unstable. If the soil is loose and well-draining, the roots can spread out, leading to vigorous growth, even if the plant grows to be two or three meters tall and covered in flowers, without the need for repotting for several years, thus avoiding stunted growth. Therefore, loose and well-draining soil is very important.