Jade Plants are among the most attractive and easy-to-grow succulents. They’re robust houseplants with lush, vigorous, and difficult-to-kill jade green leaves. This is why it’s one of the greatest plants for beginners or inexperienced gardeners. However, if your jade plant begins to turn red, it doesn’t have to be a reason for alarm.
This article explains why your jade plant is becoming red and what you can do about it.
So, what’s the deal with my jade plant becoming red? There are various reasons why your Jade Plant is behaving this way. Extreme heat, sunshine, and a lack of water and nutrition can all cause stress.
However, the red appearance of your Jade Plant depends on the kind you have, what you want to do with it, and how you want it to look. If you know it should be green, but it isn’t, it’s probably due to too much sunshine, excessive heat, or insufficient ventilation. All of these factors can lead to nitrogen depletion in the soil.
Money Tree Turning Red
There are a few things to keep an eye on to ensure that your Jade Plant stays beautiful and healthy. To begin, realize that the presence of red isn’t always hazardous. Also, take in mind that you might have a kind that is known to turn red. Jade plants that turn red include the following:
- Hobbit Jade is a slow-growing plant with tube-like leaves and scarlet ends that matures at around three feet tall.
- The leaf tips of the Red Jade Tree become purplish-red when they are exposed to direct sunlight.
- Tricolor Jade Tree: A cultivar with pointier leaves and variegated foliage that changes colors from rose to white to green.
Decorative Elements
They are endemic to the arid, dry parts of South Africa and belong to the Crassulaceae family. Since Dutch pioneers introduced it to this region over a century ago, the Jade Plant has become a popular houseplant all around the world. Because you may cut tree varieties of Jade Plants like a Bonsai, these lovely plants are also popular among Bonsai aficionados.
Native Habitat; Basic Care
These aren’t finicky plants, and they don’t need a lot of attention. A Jade Plant may grow up to 10 feet tall and broad in its natural habitat. They have big, meaty green limbs and torso-sized trunks. The leaves are ovular in form and up to 14 inches thick. The fact that they are constantly exposed to heat and sunlight is a crucial element in their rapid growth.
Indoor Development; Appearance
Jade Plants may grow up to six feet tall indoors, despite their modest growth rate. More information on how big Jade Plants grow may be found here! It, on the other hand, seldom, if ever, blossoms. When placed in a bright, warm area, this plant will produce clusters of pink to white star-like blooms throughout the winter, so there’s no need to keep asking if Jade Plants bloom.
Nature Factors
Other factors, such as direct sunshine or heat, as well as a lack of soil, nutrients, and water, all contribute to the red hue. The red isn’t always a bad thing for Jade Plants, and it doesn’t usually signify the plant is in distress. Remember, these are desert plants that flourish in severe environments. It’s one of their pre-programmed coping techniques.
Conditions to Examine
That isn’t to say you shouldn’t be aware of any potential issues. Before you dismiss the problem totally, make sure the plant is OK and healthy. So, if your Jade Plant starts to turn red, start looking for the following:
Make sure the plant isn’t exposed to too much sunshine. Jade Plants prefer medium to bright light, but never expose them to direct sunlight for more than a few minutes at a time. They are also prone to sunburn. They will, however, seem leggy and woody if there is little light.
Temperature
In addition to light, make sure the plant isn’t exposed to excessive heat or cold throughout the present season. Keep it away from drafts and open windows. If you live in a humid or severely hot, dry area, make sure your garden receives as much cool shade as it does sunshine. Bring the plant indoors or place it in a location with adequate ventilation if there is a lot of dampness.
The Jade Plant’s leaves might become red if there is too much air surrounding the leaves and soil. When there is a lot of airflows, it depletes the nutrients in the soil and dries it out, resulting in poor soil conditions. The plant is drowning if there isn’t enough air, which should be accompanied by limp stems and leaves. To increase ventilation, trim the plant or give it a tiny oscillating fan.
Water
If Jade Plants are not given enough water, they will become red and lose their lush green plumpness. Even while this isn’t always a negative thing, they should nevertheless water on a regular basis. Only when the leaves start to look dry and crispy does this become a concern.
Fertilizer
If the Jade Plant doesn’t get enough fertilizer, reds will eat the leaves. This can happen when there aren’t enough nutrients. In the spring, if you don’t want the red, give it half-strength once every two weeks. The crimson will fade as late summer and autumn arrive.
Soil: Reds can also be caused by unbalanced nutrient levels in the soil. For Jade Plants, always use a clean, sterile potting soil mix or a poor cactus mixture. However, if you want the red, keep the soil in a little degraded state.
Insects
Jade Plant bugs (also known as scale insects) are a pain. Spider Mites are another factor that might cause the leaves of a Jade Plant to become red. These are the most typical issues that Jade Plants encounter. Sucking on the sap, these small red insects produce leaf deformation and tiny red blotches. Spider mites can be seen on the leaves and stems, as well as a thin webbing that covers the entire plant.
Spider Mites, on the other hand, may travel through the webbing. This means they have the potential to infect other plants in the area. As a result, you must address the problem as quickly as possible to avoid a full-fledged infestation.
How to Deal with It
Spray the entire plant with plant-based dish detergent, insecticidal soap, or neem oil combined with horticultural oil to get rid of Spider Mites. Cover both sides of the leaves, the stems, and a small amount of the soil. Spray it on a daily basis till the Spider Mites are gone. Here are some simple hints and recipes:
- Plant-Based Dish Soap – Spider mites can be removed using natural or organic dish soap. Fill a clean spray bottle halfway with water, then add 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of dish soap. Shake thoroughly before using, then spray once a day until the insects have vanished.
- Insecticidal Soap – You must follow the manufacturer’s directions because this is a commercially made product.
- DIY Insecticide with Neem – Neem is a well-known essential oil for its ability to kill insects while being harmless for the plant. Add a few drops to your dish soap combination or a clean spray bottle filled with water and horticultural oil. I prefer Kate Blanc’s Neem Oil because it is both affordable and simple to use.
Is it possible to stop Jade leaves from becoming red?
The redness of a Jade Plant’s leaves may be controlled by the way they change hues. You may keep the rich, deep green as long as it isn’t a kind with natural red in its makeup. This will be owing to a combination of sunshine, water, and nutrients. Controlling the leaf colors will be straightforward because this plant is so easy to care for.
Give plant fertilizer at half strength once every two weeks to ensure the soil is well-draining and fertile. Also, make sure it gets plenty of indirect light and only water when the soil is completely dry.
If you want your plant to be red, grow it in less rich soil and in direct sunshine. Also, wait until the soil is completely dry before watering. To put it another way, ignore it a little.
If you’re only interested in the red leaf edges, choose a less fertile cactus mix or a more fertile potting mix with plenty of abundance. Allow the Jade Plant to get partial light and a sporadic watering regimen. When the soil is dry, water the plant. When the earth is bone dry, water the plant.
Should I be concerned that my Jade Plant has begun to turn red?
When your Jade Plant turns red, there’s usually nothing to be concerned about, especially if it seems happy, healthy, and prosperous. Of course, you should double-check everything to ensure that nothing is amiss, but most of the time, everything will be OK.
Signs of Difficulty
The only time you should be concerned is when the plant begins to suffer and become ill. Perform a more in-depth examination of the plant in this case. First and foremost, be certain that Spider Mites aren’t to blame.
After that, examine the leaves for signs of dryness or crispiness. Alternatively, look for signs of weakness or wilting. If one of these statements is true, your Jade Plant is in trouble. This indicates that it is either receiving little or excessive water. This can happen with or without adequate ventilation.
You neglected the plant for far too long
If spider mites aren’t the issue or you’ve previously dealt with a prior infestation, it’s possible you neglected the plant for far too long. Yes, Jade Plants are drought-resistant and can survive for long periods of time without water. However, if the plant goes too long without it, it may appear to be dying. An overwatered jade plant, on the other hand, might create major problems, so be sure you follow the recommended watering schedule.
Not Enough Water
Your Jade Plant requires water if the leaves lose their plump, glossy glossiness and have a shriveled and dried-up appearance. If the plant’s foliage begins to drop prematurely, it may be nearing the end of its life. When the top few inches of the soil feel dry to the touch, water it until you notice an improvement in hydration. I’ve included a few other reasons why a jade plant loses its leaves.
Submerge the bottom of the saucepan in lukewarm water if you’re worried about it being too dry. Allow the water to collect on the surface before removing the pot. Allow one to three hours for this to drain completely. After that, return it to its partially bright spot.
If you still want the plant to have crimson leaves, water it once every three weeks. Water once every seven to ten days to keep the foliage green. Regardless of the aesthetic, you choose for your Jade Plant; it will need to be watered on a regular basis. This is something it should not be without for an extended period of time.
Soil Issues
Jade Plant leaves can also be dangerous if the soil is poor. Repot the plant in fresh, effluent soil. Allow it a few days to adjust to its new surroundings before watering just when the top seems dry. Get a test kit from a home improvement store or a gardening center if you don’t know the condition of your soil.
You may use The Next Gardener Organic Succulent and Cactus Soil Mix if you don’t want to mix your own soil. Because it includes 75% substrate, 25% perlite, and little fertilizer, this is good succulent soil. It’s also reasonably priced, ships promptly, and the packaging is always in good shape when it comes.
Conclusion
If your jade plant is turning red, it could be due to a number of reasons. Most commonly, it is because the plant is getting too much sun. However, it could also be a lack of nutrients, overwatering, or pests. If you are unsure of the cause, it is best to consult with a professional.