How To Make Potting Soil for Jade Plants (3 Ingredients)

Jade plants originate from southern Africa and are succulents that, although low maintenance and considered relatively easy to grow, do require specific soil conditions to ensure the best growth. Generally, jade plants do best when given sandy soil that contains grit and allows for good drainage.

This closely replicates the type of growing medium it would have in its natural habitat and helps ensure successful growth. With that said, some growers enjoy success with soil designed for succulents and even with all-purpose potting soil, but it requires closer monitoring and careful management.

Below, we show you how to make potting soil for jade plants that provide the moisture retention and drainage that jades benefit from.

About Jade Plants

The jade plant is a succulent that grows in South Africa and Mozambique. It is known as a money plant or money tree and is a popular house plant because it requires minimal care and very little watering. Jade plants are also kept as bonsais and are especially popular as beginner bonsai because they retain their shape well with regular pruning. It can also be grown outdoors, requiring up to 6 hours of sunlight a day. Whether grown indoors or outdoors, it benefits from appropriate soil.

Potting Soil for Jade Plants

The best jade plant soil contains sand and a substrate that drains quickly. Over-watering is one of the most common reasons for the demise of a jade plant because it causes root rot and irreparable damage.

Mix three parts potting soil with two parts coarse sand and one part perlite to create ideal potting soil for jade plants. Potting soil provides the nutrients required by the plant, while coarse sand offers excellent drainage. Perlite, a lightweight volcanic glass, is highly absorbent, so it further aids drainage.

Alternatively, you can enjoy success using succulent-specific potting soil, and some growers combine just potting soil and perlite.

Does A Jade Plant Need a Lot of Sun?

Jade needs a lot of light: at least 4 hours and up to 6 hours of light per day. Sunlight is best, so if you are growing the plant indoors, try to give it a window ledge or other spot that receives this much light over the course of the day.

Is A Jade Plant Indoor or Outdoor?

Jade plants are considered low maintenance and relatively easy to grow, whether you are growing indoors or outdoors. In any case, the plant needs soil with plenty of drainage, and you need to ensure that it doesn’t get too much water. It requires minimal watering in summer and even less during winter.

Where Should You Place a Jade Plant in Your House?

Because the jade plant needs plenty of sunlight, it should be given a window ledge that gets between 4 and 6 hours of sunlight per day. Avoid putting it in damp rooms like bathrooms and remember that all parts of the jade plant are toxic to cats and dogs, so try to keep it out of the way of curious pets.

Do Jade Plants Like Small Pots?

With shallow roots, jade plants prefer small pots. However, as the plant grows, you will need to transplant it to larger pots. Jade is a heavy plant, and because it has shallow roots, it becomes top-heavy. As it grows, choose a heavier pot that won’t topple under the weight of the plant.

How Often Should I Water My Jade Plant?

Like all succulents, jade plants do not require frequent watering. In fact, too much water can cause root rot and may kill the plant. You should let the top inch or two of soil dry out between watering, which will typically mean watering the plant every 2 or 3 weeks. However, this will differ according to temperature, humidity, and the quality and makeup of your soil.

Conclusion

The jade plant is a type of succulent that originates from South Africa and can be grown outdoors or indoors. It is especially popular as a house plant and is often given as a housewarming plant, with the money plant representing success and good fortune.

While it is easy to care for and popular because it is a low-maintenance plant, the jade plant does benefit from being given appropriate soil. For the best results, combine potting soil with coarse sand and perlite. Alternatively, you can enjoy some success using succulent potting soil or combining all-purpose potting soil with perlite to produce good drainage.

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