Jade plants are popular to have inside your home as their bright green appearance will brighten any room. However, with any type of potted plant, you will eventually need to repot it. Read on to learn what the signs are so you know when to repot your jade plant.
When to repot jade plant: If your jade plant has bulky roots or has stopped growing, it is time to repot it. Wait until spring or summer to repot your jade plant as it will still be growing during this time and will be more adaptable to a new home. Gently remove the plant from the old container and use a larger one to allow the roots to spread out. You can also divide your jade plant at the same time you repot it.
Can jade plants be repotted?
Yes, your jade plant can be repotted. However, it is not always necessary.
Jade plants, like other succulents, will grow until their root system no longer has room. Then, it will still be alive but won’t grow any larger.
If you are happy with the size of your jade plant, you can decide to leave it in the same pot. But, if you want your jade plant to grow larger, then repotting it to allow space for the roots to grow is essential.
Is it okay to repot your jade plants?
As long as you follow the steps, it is okay to repot your jade plant. This is a succulent plant that is quite hardy, so repotting it won’t damage or kill the plant.
Signs that your jade plant needs to be repotted
- Slow growth. If you notice your jade plant is relatively the same size as it was a year ago, this means it has reached the capacity in its pot and no longer has room to grow.
- Bursting appearance. Take a look at the appearance of your jade plant to see if it looks crowded and if any new growth is competing for space.
- No room in the soil. There should be enough space in the potting mix to stick your finger in it. If there is no room, it means the roots are too crowded.
- Root system. You can actually remove the entire jade plant from the pot to get a better look at the root system. If the roots are tangled and balled up, then there isn’t enough room for them.
How to re-pot your jade plant
Timing
In order to allow your jade plant to keep growing, you will need to regularly repot it. This should be every two to three years if you are starting with a smaller plant.
As your jade plant gets larger, you can let more time go by and wait up to four years before repotting it.
Once you’ve decided you want to repot your plant, you will want to wait for the right time of the year. Spring or summer is the best time for repotting.
During this time your plant is actively growing so it will be able to spread its roots out and get comfortable in the new pot.
During the fall and winter, your jade plant will be dormant and it’s best to leave it be and not disturb it. Otherwise, it may be too big of a shock.
Location
Repotting your jade plant can get a little messy as you can’t simply hold it up and pull it out of the pot. While a little dirt never hurt anyone, you might want to work in an area that is easy to clean.
Tools
While you will need a few tools for the repotting process, they should all be easily found in your home. You will need a new pot, which you should already have bought.
You will also need a clean, sharp shovel. Furthermore, you may also need a butter knife to scrape the sides of the pot.
Finally, you will need potting soil. As a jade plant is a type of succulent, find a potting soil specifically formulated for succulents or cacti.
Removal
You will need to remove your entire jade plant from its existing pot. When doing this, don’t grab the stem as it can break off.
Place the pot on its side, preferably on a surface that is easy to clean, and then gently move your finger around the rim to loosen the plant.
If you meet any resistance, you can use a slim instrument, such as a butter knife or a chopstick. The plant will start to come loose and you can then gently pull it out by its stem.
New pot
When purchasing a new pot for your jade plant, don’t choose one that is too much larger. One size up will do just fine, although if it’s been a while since you last repotted your jade plant, you may want an even bigger pot to accommodate all the roots.
Fill the bottom of your new pot with a new potting mix. It should be specially formulated for succulents and have perlite mixed into it.
Place your jade plant into the new pot so that the top of the roots can be covered. Fill in the pot with extra potting mix.
Water
After you repot your jade plant, wait a week before you water it. This is a succulent, so it does not need a lot of water.
After that week, give your plant some water to help settle the roots and the soil together. If you notice the soil is starting to compact, you can add more to fill the pot back up.
Don’t overwater your jade plant. If you aren’t sure how much water it needs, there are signs to look for.
Check the leaves of your jade plant to see if they are squishy or seem full of water. If this is the case, the plant has too much water.
On the other hand, if your jade plant has brown spots on the leaves or it looks shriveled, this means it is not getting enough water. Keep your jade plant in a warm, bright area of your home but out of direct sunlight to help with water retention.
Fertilize
Overall, your jade plant shouldn’t need much fertilizer, and, if you are starting with a decent potting mix, it will have nutrients in it.
However, if you want to add more fertilizer, wait at least a month after repotting. The roots will start to grow in their new space and chemical fertilizer can actually burn the new roots.
What is the easiest way to repot jade plants?
The easiest way to repot jade plants is by starting with a work surface that you aren’t worried about getting dirty. Either do so in your garage or shed or place a towel down on a kitchen table to catch any spilled dirt.
Always have your new pot ready and pre-purchase new potting soil to provide the most amount of nutrients.
The more prepared you are for repotting, the easier it will be.
Can you divide jade plants?
Jade plants are very easy to divide. And, if you are in the process of repotting your plant, it’s a good time to also divide it.
Just make sure that your plant is not dehydrated, so be sure to water it before repotting and dividing.
The easiest method is to take a cutting. Look for the main stem and then find one that is branching away from it.
Take a sharp shovel and cleanly divide the secondary stem, ensuring there are roots still attached to it.
Place the cutting on a clean, dry area. The ends of the tissues need to dry for a few days so that you can prevent root rot.
After the ends have a callus, you can then place the new cutting in a new pot. Fill it with potting soil and add a bit of vermiculite.
With smaller cuttings, you may need to add a stake to keep it propped up. Then, place the container in a warm location. The room should be bright but not be in direct sunlight.
Don’t water for the first week. Then, add a bit of water but keep the soil more dry than wet. Finally, after three to four weeks, your jade cutting should be strong enough to be treated like your other plants.
Do jade plants need clear pots?
You can plant your jade plant in any type of container. While clear pots give you the ability to see the roots and monitor how crowded they are, it is not necessary.
We do recommend planting your jade plant in a container that has drainage holes in it. You can then either add a plate to the bottom to catch any water run-off, or you can place that pot into a decorative container that does not have any holes in the bottom.
Conclusion
Jade plants are popular succulents that will brighten up your home. They are easy to care for but you should get in the habit of regularly repotting your plant. For new plants, repot every two years, and for mature plants, every four years.
Related Articles:
Jade plants need repotting like all other indoor plants to achieve the healthiest growth and expand their roots.do this task every two years and when the succulent has outgrown its pot.
Do you water or fertilize the plant after repotting?