A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum Cacti and Succulents Indoors spindly jade plant

good morning I am new today to this site and I love it already. I hope someone can help.I have a jade that is so spindly it keeps dropping it's (petals,leaves) I am not sure what they're called even! from the bottom up. we have a well so could it be the harder water? I keep it in the sun or diffused if it's too bright. I've had the plant for 13 years. cananyone help? thanks so much.

Hi soozoominn58. Interesting handle you have there.

I don't think your problem is with the water but I'm not sure what. Let me check around. In the meantime someone smart will probably show up with an answer. I'll be back.

Good to have you with us.

CONDITIONS PREFERRED:
The jade plant loves bright indirect light, although it will grow in partial shade. The soil should be very well drained (I recommend 1" - 2" of horticultural charcoal in the bottom of the pot, then a commercial cactus and succulent soil mixture or 2 parts common houseplant soil mixed with one part sand). The jade plant does better when rootbound (repot a well established plant every 2 years). The plant prefers to keep its feet dry, so let the soil dry out between waterings. The best method for watering is to fill your sink up with water and soak the plant until air bubbles stop rising from the soil, then let it drain completely. Avoid getting water on the leaves (if the leaves get wet during watering, do not immediately place it back in sunlight, the water will act as a magnifying glass and cause burns on the leaves). It must be stressed -- let the soil dry completely before watering (this is the "thrive on neglect" part).

Are you watering too much?

Have you re-potted lately?

I lost my lower leaves because of over-watering. Also be careful not to move your jade from sunlight to part sunlight overnight. You can move it but it must be done slowly to give it time to adjust to less light.

thanks all for your thoughts and great info. I think after reading all of this and the suggested site info I do think I might be over watering! so I am experimenting on the poor thing(hopefully not at it's expense) thanks again all!

If you want to experiment take a cutting and let it form a hard callous on its bottom and stick it into a new pot of soil. This way it you lose the mommy plant you may have one on the go.