Jade plants (Crassula ovata) make attractive indoor plants with their vibrant, glossy leaves and bright green scales. They can be started from cuttings and will grow rapidly in a bright location.
You might worry when you notice the leaves of your jade plant are thin and wrinkled when you neglect your houseplants. However, what you see as a problem is usually a natural response of the jade plant to dry conditions. This can usually be remedied.
Nature’s Reaction
A succulent, jade plants store water in their leaves. As a result, they become thin and wrinkled through periods of dryness. Their leaves eventually fall off, and they go into dormancy.
Because the plant’s roots have continued to grow despite dry conditions, the plant will be able to regrow from its roots once conditions return to normal.
Watering
If you see your jade plant’s foliage beginning to thin and wrinkle, this is a sign that it needs water and more water can cause the leaf to edema. Edema in jade plants causes brown spots on the leaves.
You need to water the plant outside or in a sink to avoid damaging furniture or flooring. Add water until the bottom of the pot drains, then turn the pot upside down to let it drain to the ground. After 15 minutes, you should move it back to its normal location.
Pest Control
Watering your plant should improve the thin leaves. If this does not work after a couple of days, examine the plant closely for insects. You may need a magnifying glass to do this.
Get rid of the pests by wiping the jade with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol or vinegar and repotting it in new soil. While it is out of its pot, clean it thoroughly to get rid of any remaining insects.
Jade Rootbound
The leaves of jade plants will lose their plump appearance if the roots don’t have the ability to take up water. A convenient way to determine if your plant is rootbound is to water it.
If the water spills over the sides of the pot or drains slowly into the soil, your jade needs a bigger pot. Choose a pot close to the same depth and width of the old pot. Make sure there are no damaged or soft roots.
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