Is your jade plant on the verge of collapsing? Then you’ve come to the correct place! I’ll go over the eight most prevalent causes of why a jade plant falls over in this post.
Because of their low maintenance and capacity to adapt to varied settings, jade plants (Crassula Ovata) are popular houseplants all over the world. They belong to the succulent family and have thick, fleshy leaves in vivid green color.
Jade plants are native to South Africa and flourish in hot, dry climates. They can retain water in their stems for a long time, so they don’t need to be watered as frequently as other plants.
But what happens if a jade plant becomes too hefty and topples? If you’re sitting at home thinking, “My jade plant is tumbling over,” there are eight possibilities.
So, why is my jade plant on the verge of collapsing? Overwatering, underwatering, using the wrong soil type, low temperature, over-fertilizing, repeated repotting, or simply because it has grown to be top-heavy are all reasons for a jade plant to topple over.
The top of the jade plant is hefty and toppling over
So, if you believe your jade plant is excessively heavy and tumbling over, there might be several reasons for this. Let’s start with the most typical reason for a jade plant to topple over.
Overwatering has caused the jade plant to tumble over
The most typical cause of your Crassula toppling over is an overwatered jade plant. As previously stated, these succulents are endemic to South Africa and thrive in a hot, dry climate. Because they hold water in their stems for such a long time, they are prone to overwatering.
Overwatering a jade plant is a typical problem among houseplant enthusiasts, so don’t panic if you’ve done it! Mushy leaves, yellowing leaves, leaves falling off, and excessively moist, soggy soil are all signs of an overwatered jade plant.
The biggest problem is that if you have overwatered your jade and it is left sitting in moist, soggy soil, root rot will develop. When root rot sets in, you’ll notice your jade plant starting to tumble over. This is due to the fact that the root system has been destroyed and no longer has the power to sustain as much plant matter as it once did.
If you suspect that overwatering is causing your jade plant to topple over, the first thing you should do is test the soil. You may have overdone it if it seems moist and soggy.
Check the roots of your Crassula by gently lifting it out of its pot. Roots with root rot are dark and slimy, whereas healthy roots are solid and white.
Root rot is difficult to treat, and depending on the severity of the illness, you may need to cut away at the roots and repot or propagate.
Underwatering causes the jade plant to tumble over
Underwatering might be the reason of your jade plant toppling over. Although not as serious as overwatering, depriving your jade plant of water is nonetheless harmful to its health.
If your jade plant isn’t getting enough water, the leaves will wilt, wilt, and droop, and the soil will be extremely dry. Your jade plant will also start to run out of nutrients and vitality, which will cause it to topple over. Overwatering and underwatering are both harmful to your jade plant, and if you do either, it will not thrive.
It is critical that you follow a proper watering plan. I use the word schedule loosely because there are no defined times or dates for watering. The frequency with which you water a jade plant is determined by a variety of factors, including its location, habitat, and season.
As a result, the rule of thumb is that a jade plant should only be watered when the soil is entirely dry. In the summer, this may be once a week, whereas, in the winter, it might be once every two weeks.
Press a couple of inches into the dirt with your finger. You can give your jade plant a good bath if it is completely dry. Fill the drainage holes with water until they overflow, then discard any surplus water. After that, wait until the soil is totally dry before rewatering.
Incorrect Lighting Can Cause the jade plant has fallen down.
It’s also possible that the incorrect illumination is causing the jade plant to topple over. Crassula Ovata is attracted to bright, sunny areas. Lack of sunshine will cause your plant’s growth to be stunted, resulting in thinner and weaker stems and heavier leaves. This indicates that your jade plant is overly hefty and is teetering.
If you have an indoor jade plant, make sure it’s in a bright, sunny position, preferably near a south-facing window. Sunburn is a problem for jade plants. Allow them to bask in natural sunshine for 4-6 hours in the morning. Place in the shade in the afternoon to avoid the burning heat.
If the improper lighting circumstances are causing your jade plant to tumble over, trim it before moving it to a south-facing window. Remove the weak stems and save the ones that are stronger.
Cold Weather
As previously said, jade plants thrive in hot, dry climates. Although adaptable to a variety of climates, if a jade plant is subjected to cold, freezing conditions for an extended period of time, it will begin to topple over.
If you have an outside jade plant, you should bring it inside for the winter. Succulents of this variety should never be exposed to temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Plant hardiness zones 10 and 11 according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
If you live in a very cold climate, you should invest in a grow lamp to keep your jade plant warm. A grow lamp with a fluorescent LED bulb that produces a natural ‘daylight’ hue (between 5,000 and 6,500k) that can be put 12″ above your plant is ideal.
I have an Amazon grow lamp that I use for my succulents and it works great. It features a timer function and many settings. It gives the ideal brightness and heat while being reasonably priced for a grow light. This is perfect if you simply have a few of succulent plants.
Over-fertilizing
Fertilizing a jade plant is beneficial and can help it grow to its full potential. There is, however, such a thing as too much of a good thing!
Overfertilizing a succulent might really do more harm than good, leading to the collapse of your jade plant.
Fertilizing jade plants isn’t as important as it is for other plants. In reality, fertilizing simply once a year, right before the growing season, would be enough. Because jade plants stay dormant throughout the winter, they do not require any additional fertilizers. If you fertilize too much, the roots will be burned.
Learn More About Caring For Your Jade Plant
The top of the jade plant is hefty and toppling over
The last reason your jade plant is toppling over is that it is top-heavy. This simply means that there are too many branches and leaves for the root system to sustain.
You’ll need to get your gardening hands-on and perform some pruning to solve this!
Trim away any older leaves that are starting to fall off. Then, if you have any that appear to be wilted, you may cut those up as well.
Use the chance to propagate your jade plant if it is top-heavy and toppling over. Cuttings may be used to propagate a jade plant, so now is the best time to get started. You’ll get a solid, strong jade plant that won’t topple over, as well as some new babies to look after! It’s a win-win situation.