Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) Care Guide and Repotting Techniques Explained in Detail

To grow a jade plant, you can use clay pots, porcelain pots, plastic pots, ceramic pots and other containers, and sandy loam soil is best. In summer, when temperatures are high, provide shade or place it under tree shade, and water once every 3-7 days. In winter, when temperatures are low, place it in a greenhouse or a sunny spot indoors, and water once every 5-10 days, keeping the potting soil slightly dry. When changing the soil or before planting, apply sufficient base fertilizer; during the growing season, top-dress with 2-3 applications per month of fully rotted, diluted cake fertilizer solution.

1. Flower Pots

To grow a jade plant, you can use clay pots, porcelain pots, plastic pots, ceramic pots and others. The size of the pot mainly depends on the size of the jade plant; generally, a pot diameter of 15-30 cm is most suitable. In the dry climate of the north, porcelain pots can be used; in the humid climate of the south, earthenware pots can be used.

2. Soil

Jade plants are not demanding about soil, but loose, fertile, well-aerated and well-drained sandy loam is best. The potting soil can be mixed yourself: 5 parts leaf mold, 2 parts garden soil and 3 parts river sand; you can also buy pre-mixed soil.

3. Environment

Jade plants like warm, dry conditions and plenty of sunlight. They are not cold-hardy, fear intense light, and tolerate slight shade. The suitable growing temperature is 20-30°C. In summer, when temperatures are high, provide shade or place the plant under tree shade to avoid direct intense sunlight. In winter, place it in a greenhouse or a sunny spot indoors, keeping the room temperature at 7-10°C; it must not drop below 5°C.

4. Watering

Jade plants like dry conditions. If drainage is poor or you water too much, water will accumulate and cause root rot, so watering must be strictly controlled. In summer, when temperatures are high, water once every 3-7 days and pay attention to ventilation. In winter, when temperatures are low, reduce the watering frequency to about once every 5-10 days, keeping the potting soil slightly dry.

5. Fertilizing

Start fertilizing the jade plant in spring when new stems sprout. During the growing season, top-dress with 2-3 applications per month of fully rotted, diluted cake fertilizer solution. When changing the soil or before planting, apply sufficient base fertilizer, using rotted organic fertilizer such as chicken manure, pigeon manure, bone meal, night soil and urine, and various cake fertilizers.