Jade plants or crassula ovata is an extremely interesting houseplant with which many myths and legends are associated. Most frequently, it is said to bring positive energy and well-being to the house.
Therefore Jade plants are known as lucky plants, money trees, or money plant.s
The undemanding and easy-to-care plant is a tough succulent that looks like a small tree with shiny fleshy thick green leaves and red new branches that form a very charming canopy.
This humble beauty, originally from South Africa, is surprisingly durable and resilient. However, that doesn’t mean that Jade plants will never have any issues.
The most common reasons for curled or shriveled leaves on a jade plant are overwatering, underwatering, not enough light, cold temperatures, or the soil in the pot is too compacted or wet for too long.
So curling leaves on a jade plant are an early indicator that the plant is stressed and its conditions are not ideal.
Thankfully a jade plant’s leaves will uncurl once the proper conditions are given to the plant. So lets cover the most common reason for curling leaves and how to resolve the issue.
Jade Plant Leaves Curl Due To Improper Light
The Jade plant is a sun-loving plant.
A plant that does not receive enough light will grow differently than a plant that receives as much light as it wants.
Common signs that the Jade plant is not receiving enough light are: the branches will elongate, the leaves will lose color, shrink, curl, and fall off.
Solution – Place Jade Plants By Sunny Windows
Jade plants do not tolerate shaded areas. Therefore, you should place a jade plant in a very bright room by the window or even on a window sill where it will receive plenty of light.
Windows or rooms facing north are not a good choice.
Rotate the plant periodically to allow the canopy to develop evenly otherwise the jade plant may lean towards one side.
From late spring to late summer, when the nights are warm, the plant will benefit if you can place it outdoors. If you gradually acclimatize the plant to outdoor conditions then the plant can withstand even direct sunlight.
Crassula Ovata Leaves Curled Due To Cold Temperature
In its native environment, the jade plant grows in frost-free areas which means it does not tolerate low temperatures.
Exposure to cold temperatures, sudden temperature changes, or a draft can cause the jade plant’s leaves to curl and go limp.
Solution – Keep Jade Plant Indoors In Colder Climates
A Jade plant requires a temperature ranging from 65° to 75°F.
At night and in the winter, the plant can tolerate a slightly lower temperature of 55°F.
However, a jade plant cannot withstand temperatures lower than 40°F. So bring the jade plant indoors if the temperature drops beneath 40°F outside.
Curling Crassula Ovata Leaves Due To Drafty Areas
Exposure to drafts can cause stress which usually result in curling leaves.
The jade plant is sensitive to sudden temperature changes when opening windows in winter. Therefore you should place the jade plant in a spot away from the window or doors that open frequently.
Although the jade plant likes the warmth, a jade plant will also not do well if placed near a radiator or stove.
Located close to the heat source, the jade plant will rapidly lose water and elasticity in the leaves, which will cause them to curl, dry out and fall off.
Solution – Place Jade Plants Away From Drafty Areas
Jade plants are hardy plants that are drought resistant. So they can be placed in a dry room and still happily grow.
However, if the jade plant is near a drafty window, radiator, or vent then the plant will start to display signs of stress.
So place a jade plant away from drafty areas so it does not experience brief gusts of cold or hot air.
If the plant looks like it is drying out from the air being too dry then occasionally spray the plant with lukewarm stagnant water is a simple and effective solution.
Jade Plant Overwatering Causes Curled Leaves
Like all other succulents, jade plants accumulate water in the leaves.
The plant therefore has its own water supply and is therefore more resistant to drought than to abundant watering.
Overwatering a jade plant will lead to root rot and, the first visible symptom of that often fatal disease are wrinkled, curled leaves.
When the roots begin to rot, the plant is unable to absorb water and nutrients from its roots which leads to the plant drying out and the leaves curling.
The best solution for root rot is to take out the plant, remove the rotted roots, and repot the plant with fresh soil.
When To Water Jade Plants
Follow these steps in order to determine when to water a Jade plant:
- Insert your index finger into the soil 1 to 2 inches deep
- Feel for moisture
- Water if the soil is dry
- Do not water if the soil is wet or moist
How To Water Jade Plants
Watering always depends on room temperature, sun exposure, and pot size.
As a rule of thumb, a jade plant can be watered twice a week during the summer, when the soil dries quickly enough. Make sure that the substate or growing medium within the pot completely dries out in between watering.
In fall and spring a jade plant only needs to be watered about once a week.
Although a jade plant does not have a dormant phase in the classical sense, it should still be allowed to rest and gather strength for new, more intense growth in the spring.
During the winter months, reduce watering to once every fifteen days to encourage the jade plant to go dormant.
Check The Pot Tray
After watering, you should inspect the pot tray.
Make sure to pour off any accumulated water that has drained into the tray. Retaining water around the roots longer than the plant needs can cause issues for succulent type plants.
Do Not Use Tap Water Immediately
Tap water is not suitable for watering your jade plants since it can have a high chlorine content.
The best solution is to use distilled or spring water for your plants.
However, you can also use tap water for your plants as well. Just pour the tap water into a container and let it stand for 6 hours to soften and reach room temperature.
When you use this tap water that has rested for 6 hours, make sure not to pour the water at the bottom since the hard minerals will sink to the bottom.
Jade Plant Leaves Curling Caused By Underwatering
Although jade plants, like most succulents, do not like too much moisture, this does not mean that it can withstand long periods of drought without negative effects.
Some of the first signs of underwatering stress are twisted and dried leaves.
Solution – Water Consistentely
The simplest solution is to water the plant consistently.
A good watering method is to place the water in the sink and water until it starts pouring out the drainage hole. Wait until the pot stops dripping and place the jade plant back to its original location.
This method avoids the stress that a thirsty plant will suffer if you water it suddenly.
Besides, you will allow the plant to gradually take in the amounts of water it needs without rinsing the soil nutrients.
Compacted Substrate Can Cause Jade Plant Leaves To Curl
In heavy, poorly permeable soil, the root system of the jade plant has difficulty functioning.
Any problem that the root struggles with is shown on the aboveground part of the plant. Therefore, the side effect of compacted soil or substrate are curling leaves before more serious issues emerge.
Solution – Use Loose Or Permeable Growing Medium
The jade plant thrives best in the ready-made substrate for succulents and cacti.
However, it will also thrive in a standard houseplant substrate mixed with small part sand or some fine gravel.
Final thought
The Jade plant is unquestionably a gem among houseplants for several reasons.
Young Jade plants with their almost natural Bonzai look are just as beautiful as large adult specimens that can grow to an impressive 3 meters in height.
Pest resistance and relatively minimal care are another reason that makes this lovely plant so popular.
Even if you do not consider its symbolic reference to money, happiness, and wealth, you certainly still have many reasons to decorate your home or office with this beautiful plant.
