If the leaves on your jade plant are turning yellow, you’ve come to the perfect spot!
Yellow leaves on a jade plant aren’t usually a cause for concern, and it’s a rather typical condition among succulent owners. In this post, I’ll walk you through the top eight reasons why a jade plant’s leaves are yellow.
Jade plants (Crassula Ovata, scientific name) are one of the most popular houseplants all over the world. Other names for this succulent are money plant and fortunate plant, and it is sometimes given as a housewarming gift because it brings good luck.
Jade plants are popular since they don’t take much care and may thrive in practically any environment. This does not, however, imply that you should forget your small companion!
If you find your jade plant starting to turn yellow or has yellow leaves that are dropping off, you may have been a bit too careless! Alternatively, go here to learn why a jade plant becomes red.
The leaves of the jade plant are turning yellow.
So, why are the leaves of a jade plant yellow? Overwatering, underwatering, overfertilizing, lack of nutrients, temperature trauma, too little light, too much light, repotting stress, pests & diseases, or natural aging are all reasons why your jade plant’s leaves become yellow. Continue reading for more information on how to prevent jade plant leaves from becoming yellow.
So, Why Are The leaves on The Jade Plant Turning Yellow?
Overwatering
Yellow leaves are most commonly caused by an overwatered jade plant. Jade plants can thrive without much water and are low-maintenance in general. When you combine this with eager gardeners who can’t wait for the next watering, you’re bound to have an overwatering problem.
I frequently hear individuals describe their tight watering routine, which can be problematic in and of itself. Don’t get me wrong: having a timetable and a comprehensive grasp of when to water your houseplants is beneficial, but being too rigid with your water schedule might lead to individuals watering their plants excessively.
If you suspect your plant has been overwatered, look for the following symptoms: Your jade plant’s leaves will turn yellow, become mushy and squishy, and finally drop. You will end up with a dying jade plant if your soil is consistently wet and soggy. You’ll notice your jade plant’s leaves becoming dark and falling over if you have root rot.
Underwatering
The leaves of a jade plant can also become yellow if they are submerged. The consequences of underwatering, on the other hand, are significantly less severe than those of overwatering. Succulents, which are native to arid regions, can retain water in their stems for extended periods of time. This implies they are far more vulnerable to overwatering than they are to drowning.
Please note that this does not entail abandoning your crassula plant and not watering it for months! During periods of time when the soil has been completely dry and the plant hasn’t been watered, the leaves will turn yellow from being underwater.
When watering a jade plant, it’s a good idea to allow the water to evaporate entirely. Only then should you rewater it, and only then should you soak it thoroughly until wetness is gushing out of the drainage holes. Then remove any surplus water to keep the roots from sitting in a pool of water.
A jade plant’s yellow leaves aren’t the only sign that it’s been submerged. Also, keep an eye out for shriveling leaves, crispy tips and edges, and drooping jade plants.
Overfertilization
Despite the fact that jade plants benefit from a tiny quantity of fertilizer, over-fertilizing will cause more damage than good. Excessive fertilization can be poisonous to the roots and has a negative influence on the soil’s pH. Slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5–7 is ideal for jade plants.
If you fertilize too much, it will absorb too many nutrients and eventually cause root damage. The jade plant’s leaves will turn yellow and eventually die as a result of this. If you’ve been fertilizing your succulent plant often, you should stop right away and wait at least three months before fertilizing again.
Small white dots on the foliage and white fertilizer salt deposits in the soil are further signs of an over-fertilized jade plant.
A balanced water-soluble fertilizer should be used. If I want to boost development, I usually use Miracle-Gro Succulent Plant Food. This has always been beneficial to my succulents, and it’s quite easy to apply. The bottle suggests feeding every two weeks, however, I don’t recommend it. Every six months, use sparingly.
Shortage of Nutrition
On the other hand, jade plant leaves can become yellow owing to nutritional deficiency, however, this is a rare occurrence. Jade plants that have been in the same pot for a long time and have not been fertilized may suffer from nutrient deficiency. This will also prevent the blossoming of a jade plant.
If you’re positive you haven’t over-watered or over-fertilized your jade plant, a nutritional deficiency might be the cause of yellowing leaves. To put this notion to the test, fertilize your succulent and leave it alone for a few weeks.
After a few weeks of fertilization, your jade plant should have regained its color and will appear vibrant.
Temperature Shock
Succulents are native to hot desert regions, and jade plants may be found in USDA zones 11 to 12. They should be kept at warm temperatures all year (65-86°F, 18-30°C), however, this might be problematic if you live somewhere where the temperature dips during the winter months.
Because they are very resilient to harsher climates, jade plants are a favorite houseplant all around the world. However, if your plant is exposed to a quick temperature shift, difficulties can arise, and you will observe yellowing leaves as well as excessive leaf loss.
Examine the placement of your Crassula. If it’s near a radiator or air conditioner, it’ll be subjected to frequent temperature swings. Your jade plant should be relocated as soon as possible. It may take some time, but if your plant is no longer exposed to extreme temperature swings, it should recover.
A jade plant outside needs to be brought indoors gradually for the winter. Stress can be caused simply by bringing your plant indoors from the outside.
Lack of Light
In bright light, the Crassula species thrive! In fact, almost all succulents will need to be placed in a south-facing window to obtain the most sunshine. Although a jade plant can endure gloomy environments, it is better to keep it in a bright environment.
If your jade plant is in a gloomy room, it will increase the quantity of chlorophyll it produces as a first response. Your plant’s leaves will seem more brilliant and green as a result of this. However, owing to a lack of sunshine, the leaves will eventually turn yellow.
A jade plant should be kept in a brilliantly lit area where it will receive enough indirect sunlight. Sunburn can occur if your jade plant is exposed to too much direct sunlight, which no one wants!
Repotting Stress
Repotting a jade plant can be stressful to the houseplant if done incorrectly. This indicates that it may struggle to adapt to its new surroundings. This can cause a variety of problems, including root damage.
A jade plant can’t produce as many healthy leaves after root injury. As a result, your jade plant’s leaves will become yellow, and leaf drop may occur.
Repotting a jade plant isn’t necessary very often, but when it is, it should be done in the spring, right before a new growth cycle begins. This means it will be able to recover fast from any injury.
Because jade plants prefer snug roots, you only need to repot them when the roots begin to overflow the drainage holes. This will happen once in a few years. You should only ever repot one size up; any larger than that will result in overwatering.
Pests and Diseases
Jade plant pests, such as mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects, and aphids, are a typical concern. A pest infestation may cause root damage, which will cause the leaves to become yellow. When it comes to managing pests on jade plants, there are a few things to keep an eye out for.
Mealybugs are the most common pest you’ll encounter. Because mealybugs spread like wildfire, it’s critical to relocate the plant away from any other houseplants you possess if you suspect you have a mealybug infestation.
Mealybugs can frequently be confused with dust. Their small, white, cottony look can fool you, and you may not even realize you have an infestation until it’s too late. Mealybugs prefer to lurk in all the nooks and crannies of your plant, so you should inspect your plants for any indications or symptoms on a frequent basis.
Don’t be alarmed if you see mealybugs on your jade plant; they’re readily removed. Use an isopropyl alcohol solution that is 70% or less (rubbing alcohol). Follow the directions carefully, but remember to dilute with water and put it in a spray bottle.
Spray the solution on your jade plant. Mealybugs prefer to congregate in hard-to-reach spots, so make sure you spray them all. If one treatment doesn’t work, the mealybugs will recur within a few days. Simply keep treating them until they are completely gone!
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several explanations for a jade plant’s yellowing. Keep in mind that some Crassula varieties, such as Hummel’s Sunset, are intended to have yellow leaves.
To stop a jade plant from becoming yellow, you must first determine what is causing it. Hopefully, you’ve gone through everything above and figured out where you went wrong! You can simply work on a remedy from here, and your jade plant will be back to its happy, healthy self in no time.