Why is my jade plant dropping leaves?

Having trouble with your jade plant? Here are the top reasons that cause jade plants dropping leaves and how to fix them!

Notorious for being a succulent that requires little care, you can find yourself confused when your jade plant starts dropping leaves.

The first thing that pops to mind is the question, “How is this possible?”

Well, it can happen, and falling leaves are one of the first signs that your money tree is unhappy. 

But that made us look deeper into the subject.

So, today we are bringing you one step closer to the world of the jade plant, how to properly take care of it, and how to revive it after you have noticed it started giving up on you.

Why would a jade plant drop leaves?

There are plenty of reasons for jade plant leaves falling off. After looking through all of them, we have compiled a list of the most recurring causes of why your jade plant is dropping leaves.

The top causes of leaf drop in jade plants are:

• improper watering
• lack of drainage
• soil quality
• poor lighting
• pests
• temperature issues
• leaf shine products
• old age

Not watering it properly

Is there a correct way to water your jade tree, you ask? Yes, of course, there is!

Making the soil too wet or too dry can result in some serious consequences.

The jade plant loves water, but this doesn’t mean that you should give him too much of it. After all, balance is key, right?

Drainage is important

When there is no way out of all the water you put in the pot, the roots of your succulent tree will start to rot.

Ultimately, this will lead to the jade plant losing leaves. You need to learn how to let the water drain from the pot, leaving the soil moist enough.

Here’s our guide on how to drill drainage holes in ceramic pots!

High-quality soil is a must

What jade plants enjoy the most is some high-quality fertilizing. If you feel like it lacks some nutrients, feel free to use fertilizer.

The poor quality of the soil can make the jade plant leaves fall off, and the entire succulent withers away.

Give it the proper light

The money plant loves natural sunlight, so make sure to comply and give it all it needs. You don’t necessarily need to put the plant in direct sunlight, but it does need some light.

You can confidently grow them indoors, as long as you provide them with plenty of natural light. Remember – if the jade plant is deprived of light, it will start losing leaves.

Keep an eye on the pests

If you notice even the smallest change for the worse with your jade tree, it is time for you to inspect it.

Get into detail and ensure that you aren’t dealing with some kind of pest infestation.

Mealybugs are the most common threat to a jade plant. 

You should know that this is a plant that can easily recover after a pest attack, but it needs you to notice the changes – and treat them – as early as you can. 

Changes in the temperature

No plant wants to undergo the stress of going from one extreme environment to another. Moving it too much will make your jade plant start dropping leaves.

Being exposed to high or low temperatures can result in the tree losing its optimal health. The leaves will start falling, one by one.

Using leaf shine products

This is a case where you directly influence the cause of the jade plant losing leaves. Each of these products contains various chemicals that can severely damage your money tree.

Although they promise to improve the overall look of the jade plant, they often cause leaves to start to lose their color and eventually fall off.

Old age

In some cases, once the jade plant reaches a certain stage, it starts to renew itself. It is a normal process, and it is something that should happen so it can grow bigger and stronger.

The old leaves start to wither and fall because the plant itself makes room for new, stronger ones to grow.

So, this shouldn’t be a cause for concern – just let it finish its way of beautifying and strengthening itself. 

What to do about jade plants losing leaves?

Reviving a jade plant requires a little bit of dedication on your end. If you notice that your it has been wilting, then have no fear.

Many people worry that their succulents will never be the same again. But, with proper care, you can easily restore it to its former glory. All you need is a little bit of effort.

Once you notice the reason for the jade plant leaves falling off, you can easily make moves to fix it.

Often times, the distress can be remedied by adding a little bit of fertilizer or adjusting the water preferences.

Also, make sure to frequently check for pest infestation. And if you notice some mealybugs, then put on a pair of gloves and hand-pick them away, one by one.

Take care of the temperatures. In the summer months, keep the jade plant in bright light, but not necessarily in direct sunlight.

There’s also some special considerations for Jade plants in the winter. In colder months, place it in a warm spot, especially if you are taking it inside for the season only.

Constantly checking and adjusting the conditions is the proper way to take care of it.

At every stage of its growing process, your jade tree might be asking for different thriving conditions, so tend to it properly. It is the best way to prevent the jade plant from dropping leaves.

Turning the situation around will make both you and your jade tree look happy. After all, this is one of those plants that can easily recover from diseases if it’s treated properly.

So, instead of worrying about the damage, see what you can do to make your plant friend feel better. Ensure excellent living conditions, and the jade will take care of itself!

Remember that being adaptable does not always mean that you can get away with anything. Not taking proper care of your jade plant can cause dropping leaves.

But, in this case, a little bit of effort goes a long way!

If you want to give it the best care, download our free PDF jade plant care guide.

Join the (free!) KeepYourPlantsAlive+ community to access this exclusive printable plant care guide! Once you sign up, you can right click & save the JPG care guide. Or keep scrolling for more!

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