Crassula ovata, more commonly known as the Jade Plant, money tree or good luck plant, is known for it’s thick trunk and dark green, oval leaves. Jade Plants are a popular houseplant because they are easily grown and quite tolerant of neglect. To learn more about repotting Jade Plant, the best type of soil and pot to use, and when to repot, continue reading below.
Best Soil for Jade Plant
While Jade Plants are pretty hardy, like other succulents, they are unable to tolerate over watering. It is very important to choose the correct type of soil mix when repotting Jade Plants.
Jade Plants require a well-draining, porous soil mix. This will allow their roots to breathe and prevent root rot, which is a common cause of succulent death. Choose a soil mix that will drain evenly, does not clump up, and has a loose texture.
I like to use a 70:30 ratio of succulent soil to perlite. This mix will be well-aerated and keep your plants happy. It is also very cheap and easy to make.
Best Pot for Jade Plant
The best type of pot for Jade Plant is a plain, terracotta pot with a drainage hole. This helps remove extra water and prevents root rot.
When moving to a new pot, choose a pot that is about 1/3 larger than the plant’s roots. You do not want a pot that is too large because excess potting soil can become waterlogged and lead to rot.
Jade Plants have shallow root systems, so they prefer smaller pots.
In general, you will want to avoid planting your Crassula ovata in glass containers or terrariums because these retain moisture for a longer time, which can further exacerbate over watering. However, if you really want to plant your Jade in one of these types of containers, be aware that you will need to water less frequently and with a lesser amount than you would normally.
When to Repot Jade Plant
When you first bring your Jade Plant home from the nursery, remove it from the pot and gently clean the soil off it’s roots. Transplant it to a new pot filled with fresh, well-draining soil.
After the initial transplanting, you can repot your Jade Plant once every few years. Due to their shallow root systems, Jade Plants do not need to be repotted that frequently.
Jade Plants also do not mind being root bound in a small pot. Repot young Jade Plants once every 2 years to encourage growth. Repot older Jade Plants once every 3 to 4 years.
Spring is the best time to repot Jade Plants. Avoid repotting during the winter because that is when the Jade Plant becomes dormant and likes to rest. Also avoid repotting during the summer when the Jade Plant is actively growing.
Wait a week after watering before you repot your Jade Plant. Having them on the drier side when transplanting keeps them happy.
How to Repot Jade Plants
Loosen the plant gently out of the pot. It should come out fairly easily. Knock off the old soil in the roots. Remove any dead or rotten roots you notice.
Fill your pot with the soil mix up to a few inches. Make a hole in the soil and place your root ball in it. There should be enough soil that the top of the root ball is right below the top of the pot.
If your Jade Plant is extremely large (some can grow up to 3 feet!), you will need another set of hands to maintain the plant in place while you pat soil around.
Once the placement is right, fill in the soil around the root ball. Spread the roots out as you fill in the soil. Press firmly down on the soil from all sides so that the plant remains secure and upright.
If you have a few stems or leaves break off while repotting, don’t worry. This is unavoidable, especially if your plant is a larger size. You can propagate the fallen leaves and branches easily.
Optional: When the pot has been filled, you can cover the soil with a layer of top dressing.
Jade Plant Care after Repotting
Once you have finished repotting your Jade Plant, follow these tips so that it can thrive:
Check out this Crassula Ovata Care Guide for a complete article about how to take care of Jade Plants.
Jade Plant Watering
Wait a week after repotting before you water your Jade Plant again. This will give the plant time to settle down in it’s new pot and allow the roots to heal.
After a week, you can resume your normal watering schedule. Water your Jade Plant once every 1 to 2 weeks in the summer and once a month in the winter. Allow the soil to dry completely in between watering.
The proper soil mix and watering schedule can help prevent root rot in Jade Plants.
Learn more about succulent watering techniques here.
Jade Plant Sunlight
You can place your Jade Plant in the same sunny location it was in before. Succulents require several hours of bright sunlight per day. With enough light, your Jade Plant’s tips can turn a bright red, giving it a pretty, sun-stressed appearance.
Proper sunlight will ensure that your Jade Plant does not etiolate or stretch out. A Jade Plant receiving enough light will have leaves in tight clusters.
Learn more about etiolation here
Fertilizing
Wait a month after repotting Jade Plant before fertilizing to avoid burning the roots.
After that, you can fertilize once a month with a diluted succulent fertilizer during the plant’s growing season (spring to fall). Do not fertilize during the winter when it is dormant.
In summary for repotting Jade Plants…
Jade Plants should be repotted when they are first brought home from the nursery and every few years after that. Choosing the right type of pot and soil mix are important in preventing root rot.
Once repotted, provide your Jade Plant with bright light and infrequent waterings for it to thrive. It is an easy houseplant to take care of and requires little maintenance outside of that.
Do you have any questions about repotting Jade Plants? Let me know down below!
Check out the following care guides for more information:
Succulent Etiolation Complete Guide
