Having plants in your home is a mixture of nature and aesthetics. Finding the right pot for your plant will help bring out an accent color or blend in with your décor. When it comes to the right size, let’s find out if jade plants want small or large pots.
Do jade plants like small pots: Unlike other houseplants, jade plants don’t mind if their roots are compacted. They will do just fine in small pots so you don’t have to worry about repotting every year or two. Choose a container that is double the diameter of your jade plant and ensure there is proper drainage.
Is it okay to use small pots on jade plants?
When you have a houseplant in a container, one issue that needs to be addressed is if it becomes root bound. This means the roots grow too large and there isn’t enough space in the pot to house them all.
At this stage, the next logical step is to repot your houseplant. Repotting should happen every two to three years with most houseplants.
Jade plants, however, don’t follow this guideline. There actually prefer being root bound.
As a result, it is absolutely okay to use small pots with jade plants. You can have a more delicate-looking plant and you won’t have to go to the effort of constantly repotting it.
What is the ideal pot size for jade plants?
While small pots should be used for jade plants, the actual size of the pot goes hand in hand with the size of your jade plant. You will eventually need to repot your jade plant but not for many years.
To figure out the ideal size of pot for your jade plant, start by measuring the diameter of your plant. Take a piece of string, wrap it around the main stem, and then lay it flat against a measuring stick. Finally, divide this number (the circumference) by 3.14.
The pot for your jade plant should ideally be no more than double the diameter of your plant. So, for example, if your jade plant has a diameter of 1 inch, the diameter of your pot should be 2 inches.
Your jade plant won’t grow too quickly and even when it does, it’s not necessary to immediately repot your plant. You can allow the jade plant to have a thicker stem and still be in the same container.
Benefits of using small pots for jade plants
Aesthetics
There’s something quite attractive about miniature plants. You can group a few together or place them out so they don’t detract from the objects around them.
Furthermore, there are quite a few trendy designs on small plant pots that can instantly revitalize a room.
While there is nothing wrong with having large plants, it’s nice if you can have a mixture, which you can, thanks to the small size of jade plant pots. They are more versatile and can better blend in with the room around them.
Less effort
Repotting plants doesn’t take a lot of effort but it is still a chore. Not having to worry about repotting your jade plant every year or two means one less chore to deal with.
There’s also less mess as you don’t have to deal with soil or digging. Overall, if you can have plants that don’t require that much effort, you’ll be happier with your arrangement.
Maintain size
One problem with houseplants is that they can quickly take up a lot of space. You may want to have a plant here or there but room for other objects.
Many plant owners will become overwhelmed by the size of their plants until eventually, they need to decide if they actually have enough space for them or not.
The confines of a small container mean your jade plant won’t grow too fast. However, it will still be healthy, which is the opposite of other popular types of houseplants.
You can rest assured that the jade plant you purchase now will be roughly the same size in a few years. This allows you to better plan your plant placement.
How do you know when to repot a jade plant?
There are two times when you should repot a jade plant. This includes when the root structure needs more space and when the soil needs a bit more attention.
For space, you want to pay attention to the roots of your jade plant. These roots are fine being tangled up but if they start to push up through the surface of the soil, then there might not be enough space for them.
Other signs your jade plant needs to be repotted include discolored leaves as this means the roots aren’t getting enough nutrients. The plant may look a little lopsided as it doesn’t have a large enough foundation to remain steady.
Even though you only have to repot your jade plant every three years or so, you may want to change out the soil earlier than this. You can still use the same small pot and just replace the soil.
Over time, your jade plant will take up all the nutrients in the soil. While you can add fertilizer to help replenish the soil replacing the soil altogether will create a better growing environment.
Best types of container for jade plants
To help with adequate water conditions, you should use a two-layer system for your jade plant. Place the plant in a plastic container with good drainage holes. Then, use an outer container for a cool design.
There are many ceramic options for jade plants that have unique patterns and themes. You can mix and match if you have multiple jade plants for a more eye-popping statement.
Another option for containers is a pot that sits atop a dish. The pot will have drainage holes and the dish will collect any extra water.
Conclusion
Jade plants love small pots which means you don’t have to worry about repotting them too often. You can place your small jade plants around your home and be assured they will be happy, even if their roots start to bunch up.
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