How To Fix Jade Plant Dropping Leaves

The Jade plant has become very popular and can be found in many homes. There are several varieties of Jade plants, but the most popular one is the Crassula ovata.

In addition, many cultures believe a Jade plant to be a symbol of prosperity (hence the name money plant, good luck, or friendship).

One of the reasons Jade plants are popular is that they are so easy to grow. Further, these plants don’t require much light, nor do they need a lot of water.

They also thrive in varying temperatures (warmer temperatures in particular).

While every plant loses some leaves as part of its growth, you’ll know something is wrong when your Jade plant starts to lose its leaves rapidly.

There are several reasons why your plant is losing its leaves. In this article, we will explore each of these reasons and provide a solution in order to fix your jade plant dropping leaves.

Why Is Your Jade Plant Dropping Leaves?

There can be several factors causing the leaves to drop.

Some simple causes are over-watering leading to oversaturated soil, excessive light (or insufficient light), using too much fertilizer, using leaf shine products, or an insect infestation causing disease in the plant.

We will go over each of these causes and give some advice on how to resolve them.

Overwatering and Underwatering Jade Plants

Overwatering (or under-watering) is never good for any houseplant. Overwatering will make the soil too moist for the plant, ultimately leading to issues such as root rot.

Once root rot sets in, you have an even more serious problem.

When you water the plant, be sure that the pot has a drainage hole. Excess moisture can drain away this way, leaving your soil semi-moist and not drenched or in standing water.

You’ll want to make sure that the soil feels dry before watering your Jade plant. Also, it helps if the temperature around the plant is a little warm, that way, some of the water can evaporate away.

Underwatering is another issue to be aware of. If you are not watering the plants, the soil dries up, and you will see leaves falling.

Related post: How Often To Water Jade Plant So You Don’t Overwater Them?

Optimum Season to Water Your Jade Plant

The period from March through October is when Jade plants actively grow. Therefore, you should water your plant more frequently during this period and ensure the soil is relatively moist.

In contrast, during cold temperatures, Jade plants go dormant and need to be watered less.

However, with that said, don’t forget to keep up with a regular watering schedule so your plant doesn’t completely dry out.

Not Using the Right Potting Mix

The soil must be able to drain excess water. Therefore, avoid using a potting mix with rock chips, sand, and other added heavy materials, which can trap water and prevent proper drainage.

Instead, we suggest using a mix that contains some organic matter, such as coconut coir or peat moss, for breathability.

We suggest this organic potting soil as we have used this for our Jade plants, and they seem to love it because it’s well-draining and perfectly balanced for succulents.

A quick note, your plant will thrive in soil that is around a pH level of 5.5 to 6.5.

Using a Pot Without Drainage Holes

Your pot needs to have a drainage hole for excess water to drain. It also needs to be large enough so that the plant’s roots have enough space.

If the pot has poor drainage, this could result in root rot. It also gives a perfect environment for insects and bacteria to grow in the soil.

If you’re looking for a pot, we suggest using a self-watering pot. We particularly like this self-watering pot because it’s super easy to use, and you don’t have to worry about watering your plant daily.

Insects and Diseases

Insects and pests such as mealybugs or spider mites are indirect causes of leaf drop.

When there is an infestation, this causes the plant to become more susceptible to disease and possibly root rot. Luckily, there are simple solutions to eradicate pests.

To get rid of insects, try to go natural first and avoid insecticidal soaps. Wipe the bugs from your plant and apply a thin layer of rubbing alcohol with a paintbrush or cotton ball dipped in the rubbing alcohol.

If this method fails, then use a neem oil-based insecticide. We recommend this Neem oil insecticide as it is pre-mixed and ready to go. More importantly, it has been very effective for us as we don’t see any spider mites on any of our plants.

Overfertilization

You can fertilize your Jade plant occasionally. But remember, a succulent plant, in general, does not need much.

If you give your plant too much fertilizer, it may cause an imbalance in the growth cycle, causing leaf drop.

If you decide to add fertilizer, use a specific fertilizer designed for succulents or any balanced houseplant fertilizer.

As for timing, it’s best to feed your Jade plant once a month during its growth phase from April through September.

We normally use this slow-release fertilizer because one application lasts for months! It slowly dissolves into the soil on its own, so there’s you never overfertilize your plants!

Using Chemicals on Your Plant

Another thing to look at if you notice your Jade plant losing leaves is the use of chemicals.

For example, if you are shining your plant with leaf shine products, this may be the culprit that causes leaf drop in your Jade plant.

Old Age

As your plant ages, it will naturally drop older leaves. Dropping leaves is a natural process as your plant sheds its old leaves and grows new ones.

Just make sure your plant is not dropping its leaves too rapidly.

Another alternative is to propagate your Jade plant. This way you can expand your plant collection and make more Jade plants. You can even bonsai your Jade plant.

FAQ

Conclusion

Hopefully, you will never have the issues that we have listed above. However, if you see your Jade plant losing its leaves rapidly, go down the list to see if any of the issues are the cause.

Let us know if you have any questions or how you solved your Jade plant’s leaf drop issues below in the comments.

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